JANUARY 2013 Quarterly Newsletter
Disabled American Veterans
Ocean County Memorial Chapter #24 New Jersey
P.O. Box 1806
Toms River, NJ 08754-1806
2012-2013 Chapter Officers
Commander: Gerry Mulligan
732-270-2265 / C 732-570-1128
Chief of Staff: Frank Dascoli
732-821-5416 / C 732-718-4223
Sr. Vice Commander: Mike Jupa
732-286-0130
1st Jr Vice Commander: Don Jupa
732-281-1633
nd
2 Jr Vice Commander: Phil Hartrum
848-992-4199
3rd Jr Vice Commander: Frank Williams
732-657-6004
Sgt-at-Arms: Hector Leon
732-657-0467 / C 917-991-2117
Officer of the Day: Nick Bernardi
732-575-8474
Chaplain: George Wilson
732-505-9711
Treasurer: Tim Fanning
908-910-7797
Judge Advocate: Mary Bencivenga
732-232-5570
Adjutant: Nick Sansevero
732-779-6484
Trustees: Jim Hulick
732-557-4337
Jim Kimmel
732-421-6337
gemull@msn.com
frankied1@comcast.net
jupamichael@hotmail.com
donaldjupa@hotmail.com
Philip.Hartrum@va.gov
record18@hotmail.com
leonncarmen@comcast.net
Nicholas.Bernardi@va.gov
gwilson210@comcast.net
timfan50@aol.com
mbenga@ymail.com
nicksans@aol.com
Auxiliary Contact: Patrick Argabright
Chapter Webmaster: Dave Lake
patrickargabright@gmail.com
dlake16@hotmail.com
732-961-7881 / C 908-670-0232
609-661-0461
James.Kimmel1@gerdau.com
Visit our web site at: http://www.davmembersportal.org/chapters/nj/24/default.aspx
Newsletter: Karen Argabright
732-961-7881 / C 908-670-0235
kmargabright@gmail.com
2012 DAV CALENDAR OF EVENTS
FEBRUARY
13
Wednesday
13
Wednesday
24-27 Sun-Wed
Auxiliary Monthly Meeting @ 6:00pm
Chapter #24 Monthly Meeting @ 7:00pm
Mid-Winter Conference @ Crystal Gateway Marriott, Arlington, VA
MARCH
13
13
Wednesday
Wednesday
Auxiliary Monthly Meeting @ 6:00pm
Chapter #24 Monthly Meeting @ 7:00pm
Wednesday
Wednesday
Auxiliary Monthly Meeting @ 6:00pm
Chapter #24 Monthly Meeting @ 7:00pm
Wednesday
Wednesday
Sat-Mon
Monday
Auxiliary Monthly Meeting @ 6:00pm
Chapter #24 Monthly Meeting @ 7:00pm
‘Forget Me Not’ Drive; Seaside Heights Boardwalk (Alternate location may be chosen)
Toms River Memorial Day Parade; 0900 (Meet @ The Office Restaurant to join us)
APRIL
10
10
MAY
8
8
25-27
28
PLEASE KEEP THIS PAGE FOR REFERENCE
COMMUNITY OUTREACH PROGRAM
Comrades,
Happy New Year! I hope all of you had a happy and
joyous holiday season. Unfortunately Hurricane Sandy
has brought undue hardships to many of our members
and neighbors during this holiday season. They should
all be remembered in our prayers. In the spirit of being
optimistic I feel we are "Jersey Strong" and will get
through it with a stronger Jersey Shore.
After the late October storm it was obvious we would not
be able to meet in Seaside Heights. At the American
Legion Post #129 meeting in November I requested the
use of their hall for our meetings the membership
unanimously voted to allow us use indefinitely free of
charge. We had our November meeting and Christmas
party there and everyone has felt welcome. A special
thank you will be extended to Commander Rich Gato
and Post #129 for their friendship and support.
Back to the Christmas party; it was a great success! We
had 100 attendees and Ryan's Catering at the Post did a
fine job. The liquid refreshments were handled by the
Post’s team of Duke and Son. Members brought deserts,
Santa was there and the kids had a ball. It was truly a
wonderful party and all who contributed and attended
made it that way.
Our outreach project had a December visit to Magnolia
Gardens for about 35 residents. They all enjoyed the
Christmas visit with pizza and O'Doul's. One resident
said it was great; he hadn't had a beer in 20 years! I
would like to see more members at these events. They
are very rewarding visits and make everyone feel good.
We have a few members that are making things happen.
In November, NSO Nick Bernardi distributed disaster
relief (article in special feature). In December, Mary "B"
spoke before the New Jersey Senate in Trenton on
Women Veterans. And in January, Karen Argabright
talked about DAV and women veterans on the “Welcome
Home Show” on WIGB 1020 AM radio. Job well done!
You guys make us proud to call you one of our own.
January starts a new year with high hopes for a quick
healing for our area. Again I would like to wish the best
Chapter of DAV a happy and healthy New Year and
don't forget to come out to the meetings at 2025 Church
Road in Toms River.
Commander Gerry
CHAPTER 24 DAV RIDERS
We’re looking for DAV riders. If you have a bike, like to RIDE, and would be
interested in joining us call Tony Rios at 732-642-9370 for more information.
Let’s put our DAV Colors together.
7 Dec 2012 Another
Community
Outreach visit
to Magnolia
Gardens and
Green Acres
Assisted
Living in Toms
River was a
huge success!
We brought
pizza and
O’Doul’s and
enjoyed a nice
afternoon
with our
Heroes.
In the photos
(at left), our
veterans
show the
pictures they
received from
Miss
Gregorio’s
first grade
class at Sylvia
Rosenauer
Elementary
School in
Jackson.
MOBILITY PROJECT
D I S A B L E D A M E R I C AN V E T E R AN S A U X I L I A R Y
Making a difference for disabled veterans and their families
We are forming an auxiliary to Chapter 24. Our first
planning meeting was held on Wednesday, 9 January. A
lot of good suggestions for the DAVA mission were
brought forth, including a book exchange/donation
program, assisting the MSO program, fundraisers, and
many others.
Our next meeting will be held at 6pm on 13 Feb, at the
American Legion in Toms River. Eligible members
include immediate family members of a disabled
veteran. Current DAV members can also join (they just
cannot vote in both units at the same time).
For more information, and to RSVP for the DAVA charter
meeting, please contact Patrick Argabright at 908-6700232, or email at patrick.argabright@gmail.com.
Hurricane Sandy Relief
Commander Gerry Mulligan and Past Commander and
Trustee Jim Hulick give a motorized scooter to
Josephine Cheresko, the widow of WWII veteran, Lt.
Walter Cheresko. Lt Cheresko was the only survivor on
a PT boat in the Pacific. He suffered from burns on the
right side of his body. He passed away on 6 April 1995.
Josephine is suffering from advanced diabetes and leg
neuropathy.
Veteran’s
Volunteer
Transportation
System
DRIVER’S WANTED!
We are in the process of procuring a DAV van for
the Ft Dix / Monmouth and Ocean County area to
transport veteran’s to and from medical
appointments at various VA Medical facilities.
Special Feature
We all know about the devastation to our area by
Hurricane Sandy. What many of you don't know is that
the DAV National Service Columbia Trust sent 100
checks in the amount of $250 each – a total of $25,000
to be distributed to disabled veterans affected by the
storm
Our own NSO Nick Bernardi distributed the checks in
Newark, Toms River, Cape May, and Lacey Twp. In
Nick's usual outstanding dedication to duty he made
special arrangements to meet members that could not
get to the appointed meeting places.
Pictured below are Chapter #24 Commander Gerry
Mulligan, DAV National Service Officer Nicholas
Bernardi and member Larry Sitkowski.
Larry was displaced by Sandy from his Lavallette
home. Nick met Larry in a convenience store parking lot
to distribute his relief check.
Drivers must possess a valid New Jersey driver’s
license and must pass a background check as
well as a physical exam.
If you have some time to volunteer, enjoy
driving, and would like help fellow veterans why
not volunteer as a driver. Contact Karen
Argabright
at
908-670-0235
for
more
information.
From left: Commander Gerry Mulligan, NSO Nick Bernardi, and Larry Sitkowski
DISASTER ASSISSTANCE
If you sustained losses or damage from Hurricane
Sandy, you may be eligible for disaster aid.
For more information or to apply: www.disasterassistance.gov.
You can call to apply: 1-800-621-FEMA (3362)
The TTY number is: 1-800-463-7585
PAPER CHECKS TO END
The Department of the Treasury has announced that all
payments from the federal government must be made
electronically and not by paper check beginning
March 1, 2013. This means most military retirees and
annuitants receiving paper checks will be required to
sign up for direct deposit.
711 or Video Relay Service is: 1-800-621-FEMA
Or apply on your Smartphone at m.fema.gov
When you apply for disaster assistance please have the
following information available:
Social Security Number (including spouse’s)
Private insurance information, if available
Address and zip code of the damaged property
Directions to the damaged home or property
Daytime telephone number
A telephone number where we can reach you or leave a
message
 An address where you can get mail
 If you want your disaster assistance funds sent directly to
your bank, provide the account type (checking or savings),
account number and routing number






Disaster recovery assistance for eligible recipients is available without regard to race,
color, gender, religion, national origin, age, disability, English proficiency, or economic
status.
With direct deposit, DFAS sends your payment straight
to your bank account. Direct deposit gives you
immediate access to your money on pay day, and it
eliminates the risk of lost or stolen checks, forged
signatures and identity theft.
Over 99 percent of military retirees and over 96 percent
of annuitants already receive their payments through
direct deposit. If you’re one of the few still receiving a
check in the mail, we’ll send you a notice in the coming
months. But you can get ahead of the rush by setting up
direct deposit now.
How to enroll
There are three ways to start direct deposit. Before you
enroll, you’ll need to gather information including your
financial institution’s routing transit number and account
number. Then do one of the following:

Send a signed Fast Start Direct Deposit Form to
Defense Finance and Accounting Service, U.S.
Military Retired Pay, P.O. Box 7130, London,
KY 40742-7130;

Use your myPay (mypay.dfas.mil/mypay.aspx)
account to set up a direct deposit to your
checking or savings account;

Or call the DFAS Retired and Annuitant Pay
Customer Care Center at 800-321-1080.
Books, Books, & More Books!!
Like to read but can’t make it to the library? Let the
library come to you or your facility. We’ve got lots of
books donated by various organizations like the
Jewish War Veterans Auxiliary and we’re ready to
deliver them to you! Contact the Chapter Auxiliary
member Patrick Argabright if interested at 908670-0232.
ATTENTION:
All
Vietnam
Veterans
Service connection for bladder cancer, as due to
Agent Orange exposure and/or diesel fuel
exposure, has been granted.
In the interest of space, the citation cannot be
printed here. To see the entire citation check
out the link below.
http://www.va.gov/vetapp07/files2/0717857.txt
It can take 30 to 60 days from the day we receive your
enrollment for direct deposit to start. If after enrolling
you receive a paper check, please cash or deposit it as
you normally would. We’ll send you a notification when
we process your enrollment.
There are many advantages to eliminating paper checks.
No more trips to the bank to deposit your check, no risk
of lost or stolen mail, no waiting for misrouted or
delayed mail, and your money is available to you the day
it is due. It also will save the American taxpayers about
$120 million every year.
CHRISTMAS PARTY UPDATE!
Christmas 2012 is now in the history books and
Chapter 24’s Christmas Party was one to remember!
The tone of our party was perfect because of the tunes provided by dynamite DJ Dave
Shick! Thanks Dave, we’re already looking forward to next year’s party.
Santa was on the scene enjoying time with the kids. And it looks like Santa’s twin
brother stopped in for a visit as well.
And then there were Santa’s helpers ... on hand to do crafts with the kids and pass out
the presents. Thanks girls, the parents really appreciate your help!
Our good friends from the American Legion Post 129 kept the refreshments coming!
Christmas is a time to come together with good friends like Nick S., Nick B., Santa,
Tony, Gerry, and Marco. What do you think…have these guys been good this year?
So, it was an evening of good food, good friends, and an all around good time!
So as 2012 comes to a
close, here’s wishing
everyone a happy,
healthy, and
prosperous New Year!
May you realize
your dreams in
It’s also a time to reconnect with old friends! Welcome back, Tommy! You were
missed!
2013!
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR’S
OFFICE OF FEDERAL
CONTRACT COMPLIANCE
Programs Protect Veterans from Discrimination
In the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, the U.S.
Department of Labor’s Office of Federal Contract
Compliance Programs (OFCCP) is reaching out to
government contractors and subcontractors who have
received or will receive federal funding to clean up and
rebuild the affected areas. Partnering with FEMA’s
New Jersey Federal Partnership for Hurricane Sandy
relief efforts, OFCCP is informing contractors of their
obligation to not discriminate and to take affirmative
action to ensure that women, minorities, veterans and
individuals with disabilities are recruited, hired, placed,
promoted, trained and fairly compensated by
establishments receiving taxpayer dollars for contracted
work.
OFCCP enforces three civil rights laws:



Executive Order 11246, which prohibits
discrimination and requires equal employment
opportunity without regard to race, color, sex,
religion and/or national origin.
Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, which
prohibits discrimination in all employment practices
for qualified individuals with disabilities.
Section 4212 of the Vietnam Era Veterans’
Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA) of 1974,
which prohibits discrimination in all employment
practices regarding protected veterans, including
disabled veterans.
In particular, companies with federal contracts and
subcontracts covered by VEVRAA cannot discriminate
based on a person’s status as a protected veteran.
VEVRAA applies to recently separated veterans,
veterans with service-related disabilities, Armed Forces
Service Medal Veterans, and other protected veterans.
These companies also must take steps to hire and
promote qualified veterans through affirmative action
programs. For example, VEVRAA requires companies
to take actions that include engaging in recruitment and
outreach and listing appropriate job opportunities with
local One-Stop Career Centers.
OFCCP protects the rights of veterans to work in
environments free of discrimination such that they
cannot be denied employment, harassed, demoted,
terminated, paid less or treated less favorably because of
their veteran status. So, for example, if a disabled
veteran is applying for a job, the employer must provide
reasonable accommodation during the application
process to allow the veteran to apply and be considered
for that job. Veterans are also entitled to reasonable
accommodation once on the job.
If a business violates its contractual promises as set forth
in the law, OFCCP will attempt to negotiate a fair
remedy on behalf of the affected workers. This may
include getting back wages, interest and benefits as well
as potential job offers. For those employers who still
refuse to comply with the law, OFCCP will take legal
action to end their government contracts.
In sum, OFCCP protects workers, promotes diversity
and enforces the law.
The agency is committed to keeping the doors of
opportunity open for all workers through it law
enforcement activities and regulatory initiatives. OFCCP
also engages in a significant amount of stakeholder
outreach, which includes providing technical assistance
to help businesses comply with the law. The agency also
seeks to educate workers – through public forums, town
hall meetings, Webinars and other public outreach –
about their rights to fair treatment and equal opportunity
in the workplace. In the near future OFCCP leaders will
participate in the “Hiring Our Heroes” event being
planned in northern New Jersey by the American
Legion.
If you are a veteran and believe you have been a victim
of employment discrimination, please contact OFCCP at
1-800-397-6251 or OFCCP-Public@dol.gov, or the
OFCCP New Jersey District Office at 908-317-6969.
You also may file a discrimination complaint by
completing
the
online
form
available
at
www.dol.gov/ofccp or the hardcopy form available at all
OFCCP offices. You may submit the form online
through OFCCP’s website, in person at your nearest
OFCCP office, or by mailing it to your local OFCCP
field office. The New Jersey District Office is located at
200 Sheffield Street, Mountainside, NJ 07092.
ATTENTION BUSINESS OWNERS:
Advertise in our newsletter for a tax-deductible
donation of $40 to Chapter 24. Call Karen at 908670-0235 for more information.
SINCE 1886
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Fund Raising Opportunities
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at 732-657-0467
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DISABLED AMERICAN VETERANS
Ocean County Memorial Chapter #24
P.O. Box 1806
Toms River, NJ 08754-1806
Do you know a Vet who needs a mobility item such
as crutches, walkers, wheelchairs, or scooters? We
have items on hand for you! As a qualified Veteran,
you may be eligible for a free walking cane. Details
are available at www.hugosalutes.com/.
Come & join us at 7:00 pm every 2nd
Wednesday of each month at American
Legion Post 129 at 2025 Church Road in
Toms River, NJ (until further notice)
PAID
Toms River N.J.
Permit #89
Made up exclusively of men and women disabled in
our nation’s defense, the Disabled American
Veterans is dedicated to one, single purpose —
building better lives for all of our nation’s disabled
veterans and their families.