Greetings!

 

We hope you had a great month and a happy New Year! We are ready for another full year of hard work delivering for our New Jersey veterans and their families. Congressman Kim kicked off 2024 with a busy January around the district, speaking with our military community and working to meet their needs. Please feel free to reach out anytime if we can help you through an issue with the Department of Veterans Affairs or another federal agency.

 

As always, we hope you find the following updates and resources helpful!

 

Congressman Kim’s Statements Grieving the Loss of Three Servicemembers Killed in Jordan, including Sgt. Rivers of Willingboro, NJ

 

Over the weekend, three U.S. servicemembers were killed in Jordan. Congressman Kim joined in mourning this tragic loss on Sunday. On Monday, it was announced that one of the soldiers was Sergeant William Jerome Rivers of Willingboro, New Jersey.

 

Congressman Kim released the following statement grieving his loss:

“Among the three fallen soldiers killed in Jordan this weekend, we grieve for one of South Jersey’s own, Sergeant William Jerome Rivers from Willingboro. He served this country and our local community with great honor and bravery and we are indebted to him and his loved ones for their service and sacrifice. We will never forget what Sergeant Rivers and his fellow fallen soldiers, Spc. Kennedy Ladon Sanders and Spc. Breonna Alexsondria Moffett, gave for our nation. May their memory live on in our continued service to our military families.”

 

Deployment Ceremony for the 44th Infantry Brigade Combat Team

 

Earlier this month, Congressman Kim was honored to attend a ceremony for the brave servicemembers from The 44th Infantry Brigade Combat Team as they prepared to deploy and express our shared gratitude for their sacrifice and service. 

 

We wish them luck for their success and safe return home.

Nearly 50,000 Veterans Delivered Help in One Year

 

Mental healthcare and veteran suicide prevention are critical issues for our veteran community and a top priority for Congressman Kim. Previously, Congressman Kim helped pass legislation and championed the bipartisan demand to increase funding for emergency suicide prevention care, along with other mental healthcare resources.

 

In January, it was announced that nearly 50,000 veterans and certain former servicemembers were able to use emergency mental healthcare at zero cost thanks to a new VA program created through federal legislation. We are proud of this direct assistance and remain dedicated to helping the VA be there for as many veterans as possible.

 

Learn more here about the VA’s mental health programs and their 24/7 veteran crisis hotline that provides confidential support for veterans and their loved ones.

 

Ribbon Cutting at JBMDL Readiness Center

 

Our office joined the New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs for a ribbon-cutting ceremony this month at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst to officially open their new National Guard Readiness Center! It is fantastic to see our federal funding get this project started and finished! We will continue to prioritize direct investments like this that deliver for our military community and our national preparedness.

 

First Town Hall of 2024!

 

We were so excited to host our first town hall of the year and Congressman Kim’s 71st town hall in Hamilton on January 12th! The conversation was focused on recently implemented savings on prescription drug prices for New Jerseyans, from the Inflation Reduction Act Congressman Kim helped pass, and the Congressman’s continued work to reduce everyday healthcare costs. Thank you to our special guest Taryn Krietzman, Registered Dietician Nutritionist, Community Health/Community Education, at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Hamilton (RWJUH Hamilton), for talking about the importance of lower insulin costs based on her personal and professional experience.

Meet the Top 10 Most Popular Veteran Resources from 2023

 

Our office joins the VA in wanting to connect our veterans to helpful resources and support. This month, the VA list released a list of the most popular resources that they distributed. From VA benefits to national parks passes, check out the complete list!

 

Do you have a copy of your DD-214?

 

If you do not have a copy of your DD-214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty), you should request a copy from the National Archives and Records Administration since it can take up to 6-12 months to receive. DD-214s are necessary to apply for many of the benefits you are eligible for as a veteran. If you don’t have your DD-214, medical treatment can be delayed for a long time. If you have questions about this, you can contact our office here.

 

DMAVA Newsletter

 

The New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs’ newsletter provides information to Servicemembers, Veterans, Employees, Families, Caregivers, Community Partners and those inspired to support our collective mission. You can sign-up for DMAVA’s mailing lists on their website.

 

Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst (JBMDL) Update

 

On January 8th-19th, JBMDL held its first holistic health and fitness integrator course of the year. The course is available to all branches, fosters a people-first environment, and gives servicemembers the opportunity to rehearse and improve their skills and resiliency.

In January, U.S. Air Force Airmen and civilians across the base helped operations maneuver through harsh weather conditions to continue their mission at JBMDL.

 

Upcoming Local Events

The New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs is helping host various events throughout February, including: 

• February 7th at 1:30 PM - Free legal advice event hosted by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

• February 9th at 12 PM - Evesham Township’s Coffee with a Vet at the Gibson House.

• February 10th at 9 AM - New Jersey National Guard Retirement Workshop at the Bordentown National Guard Armory. DMAVA will have a VSO present to brief and discuss benefits.

Do You Know Someone Else Who Would Find These Updates Helpful?

If so, please encourage them to sign up here. Please don’t hesitate to be in touch if we can be of assistance to you.

Thank you for giving us the opportunity to serve you every day!

 

The Office of Congressman Andy Kim

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