NJ Budget Benefits Veterans

Governor James E. McGreevey visited the New Jersey Veterans Memorial Home at Paramus today to meet with local veterans and highlight the improvements he has proposed for veterans in the FY05 state budget.

“Our nation's veterans deserve a special place of recognition and gratitude for the sacrifices they made to protect our freedom,” McGreevey said. “Our budget will provide new funding to ensure that New Jersey veterans are cared for with the dignity and compassion they earned.”

Joined by Brigadier General Glenn K. Rieth, the Adjutant General of New Jersey’s Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, McGreevey outlined plans for improvements to the state’s three veterans homes, including a new all-purpose room at the Paramus facility.

“At present, all activities at the Paramus Memorial Home are conducted in the cafeteria,” the Governor said. “The new all-purpose room will provide our veterans with increased opportunities for social functions, volunteer work and other activities without disrupting cafeteria meal times.”

“Any state that fails to honor its veterans is not fulfilling its obligations to those who have given so much for so long in patriotic service to the people of our great state and nation,” said Rieth. “With the addition of an all-purpose room, you will make a very good facility…a much better facility. You will significantly improve the quality of life for the 300 residents here in Paramus.”

McGreevey’s FY05 budget proposal calls for an increase of $4 million, or nearly 6 percent, for DMAVA. Most of the increase will be used to provide additional capacity at the State’s three veteran’s homes, including 108 new beds.

In addition to the improvements at Paramus, DMAVA plans to open the Old Glory Wing at its Menlo Park Home. The new wing will specialize in treating veterans suffering from dementia or Alzheimer’s disease. A new building is being constructed at the Vineland Veterans’ home with a capacity of 300 beds, an increase of 68 beds or nearly 30 percent above the existing capacity of 232 beds.

The Governor’s budget also preserves the Veterans’ Property Tax deduction of $250, calls for $1.5 million for the construction of a World War II memorial and $1.5 million in arts grants to the Battleship New Jersey Museum.

“With a veteran population ranked as the ninth largest in the nation, New Jersey is keeping our commitment to provide programs and services of the highest quality for our veterans,” McGreevey said.

Article continues below

---

advertisement

---

Author: Press Release-Micah Rasmussen