Congressman Pallone Statement on Veterans Day 2015

The text of Pallone’s statement follows.

“Just as the military pledges to leave no solider behind on the battlefield, Veterans Day is an opportunity to renew our commitment to leave no veteran behind when they return home. It is an opportunity to renew our commitment to the nation’s nearly 22 million veterans, including more than 30,000 in my Congressional District – and to our current troops and reservists, and their families. We must ensure that their sacrifice to our nation is never forgotten and that they have the tools they need live successful and healthy lives when their services are concluded.

“My father fought for our country during World War II, and I have gained an understanding – from him and many other veterans in my Congressional District – of the successes and challenges of our efforts to support our veterans.

“In many ways, the successes of programs designed to help veterans with the support they deserve – and have earned – are overwhelmingly positive. Thanks to Veterans Affairs, 80,000 veterans avoided foreclosure last year and 2.3 million veterans, service members and spouses are VA home loan participants as of this year. With the Post-9/11 GI Bill we enacted, nearly 1.5 million veterans and their family members have pursued their education.

“Yet, there is still much more to do.

“I am proud to be working with my colleagues in Congress to ensure the Veterans Administration no longer fails our veterans. Among other efforts, it is important that we remove the needless obstacles and complexities in the VA, as well as implement new technology to improve the VA’s health care delivery.

“We must also address the employment of veterans when they come home. Members of the armed forces who defend our safety and freedoms should not have to fight for a job here at home, which is why it is critical that we work to expand job opportunities for returning veterans.

“This day and every day, let us honor the service of our nation’s veterans and pledge to fulfill our commitment to them when they return home.

“To our veterans --- Thank you.”

New Jersey Vietnam Veterans' Foundation To Dedicate Monument for Fallen Soldiers

The New Jersey Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial Foundation will hold a dedication ceremony for the Gold Star Family Monument Sunday, September 27 from 4-6 p.m. The dedication ceremony will follow the New Jersey Run For The Fallen, which will end at the New Jersey Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial in Holmdel.

Ken and Helen Gurbisz were the driving force behind the building of this monument, meant to honor the men and women who have fallen in all wars and the families they left behind. The Gurbisz’s lost their son Jim in Afghanistan in 2005.

“This is a place where, if you lost a loved one, you can sit on a bench and contemplate,” said Ken. “It’s a place of calm. The entire New Jersey Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial is a place of peace.”

Gold Star Families are those families who have lost spouses, parents and immediate family members of the Armed Forces to combat. The monument is meant to be a place of reflection and peace.

The New Jersey Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial brings a fitting acknowledgment of the valor displayed by the New Jersey residents who never returned from Southeast Asia. It commemorates the courage shown by all who served in America’s Armed Forces during the years of the Vietnam conflict. The Memorial is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week and is free to visit. For more information, call 732-335-0033 or visit www.njvvmf.org.

President Obama's Weekly Address 12/25/14: Happy Holidays from the President and First Lady

WASHINGTON, DC — In this week’s address, the President and First Lady wished Americans a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays, and thanked our brave troops for their service. Especially as our combat mission in Afghanistan comes to a responsible end in the coming days, we are reminded of all that military men, women, and families sacrifice to keep us safe. The President and First Lady asked everyone to take some time this holiday season to visit JoiningForces.gov and find out how to give back to the men and women in uniform who have given so much for all of us.

Pallone to Hold U.S. Service Academy Day at Naval Weapons Station Earle on September 20th

LONG BRANCH, NJ – On Saturday, September 20th at 10:00 a.m., Congressman Frank Pallone Jr. (NJ-06) will be hosting a U.S. Service Academy Day at Naval Weapons Station Earle, Leonardo Pier Complex. The event will provide a forum for students who are interested in attending one of our nation’s prestigious U.S. Service Academies to learn more about the process for admission.

The event will focus on the admissions process, steps to obtaining a congressional nomination, and lifestyles as Cadets or Midshipmen at the academies. Interested students will have the opportunity to personally meet and speak with representatives from the U.S. Naval Academy, the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, the U.S. Air Force Academy, the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, and the U.S. Coast Guard Academy.

“Our nation’s service academies are some of the highest caliber institutions committed to graduating leaders of character, honor and integrity,” said Congressman Pallone. “Graduates are selflessly prepared to assume some of the highest responsibilities of command, citizenship and government. By hosting this U.S. Service Academy Day, it is my hope that we will inspire young people of the 6th Congressional District to come out and explore the many opportunities that our academies have to offer.”

Doors will open at 10:00 a.m., and presentations from the Academies will begin promptly at 10:30. Interested students and parents can RSVP to Dawn Rebscher at (732) 571-1140.

President Obama's Weekly Address: 5/23/09

President Barack Obama calls on the American people to join him in paying tribute to Americas veterans, servicemen and women particularly those who have made the ultimate sacrifice - and their families.