A Message from the C.E.O.

Dear Residents, Employees, Volunteers,

Veterans Organizations, and all of our

Friends:

As the end of the year approaches I

would like to take a moment from the

busy Holiday season to send my heartfelt

gratitude and appreciation to all of our wonderful staff members,

volunteers, veterans organizations and friends for their continuous

support and dedication to our residents.

With the upcoming holidays approaching, I would like to take this

opportunity to thank you all for being a very important part of our

Team. I wish to extend my best wishes to you and your loved ones for

a happy, healthy and joyous New Year.

With warm regards,

Elizabeth Schiff-Heedles

Elizabeth Schiff-Heedles, L.S.W., L.N.H.A.

Chief Executive Officer

DECEMBER 2018

VETERANS VOICE GOVERNOR Phil D. Murphy

DEPARTMENT OF MILITARY AND VETERANS AFFAIRS Brigadier General Jemal J. Beale, Adjutant General Brigadier General Mark A. Piterski, Deputy Adjutant General Colonel Lisa Hou, D.O., Deputy Commissioner for Veterans Affairs Sean VanLew, Sr., Director of Veterans Healthcare Services NJ VETERANS MEMORIAL HOME, MENLO PARK Elizabeth Schiff-Heedles, LSW, LNHA, CEO

Kamala Kovacs, RN, ACEO

Scott Mueller, MSN, RN, LNHA, ACEO

VETERANS FACILITY COUNCIL, MENLO PARK Robin Goodrich, Chairperson; Betty Baranowski, William Shepherd, Colonel Samuel Fuoco, USA, Retired, Berley Hanna, Jr. - Veterans Service Council

VETERANS VOICE EDITOR Christine A. Caratozzolo, CTRS

New Jersey Veterans Memorial Home at Menlo Park

Important Phone Numbers

Elizabeth Schiff-Heedles, CEO 732-452-4102

Robyn Martin, Business Manager 732-452-4166

Patrick Maholick, Dir. of Social Services 732-452-4269

Ed Weisenhorn, Admissions Officer 732-452-4272

Christine A. Caratozzolo, Sup. of Recreation 732-452-4258

Lester Shelley, Chaplain 732-452-4260

New Jersey Veterans Memorial Home at Menlo Park 132 Evergreen Road Edison, NJ 08818 732-452-4100 “Serving Those Who Served”

The Bowlers to Veterans Link made a generous donation for the Special Needs Units Life Stations.

Veterans Day was celebrated on November 11, 2018.

The Woodbridge Garden Club donated gift bags to the ladies of the home. Anna Swalick is pictured with her

son accepting the donation.

The Korean War Veterans of Hudson County, Assemblymen Yun,

The Ambassador of the General Council for the

Republic of Korea and the Korean American Senior Association of NJ visited with the Residents and donated items for the

Holiday Gift Bag Program.

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Veterans Voice December 2018

CENSUS

WWII: 81 Men - 75/ Women - 6

Korea: 76 Men - 72 / Women - 4

Vietnam: 44 Men - 40/ Women –4

Peacetime: 27 Men - 27/ Women - 0

Gulf: 1 Men - 1/ Women - 0

Non-Veteran: 68 Total Residents: 297

Welcome New Residents

Fred Calderone

William Lawyer

Arthur Muhler

Louis Rango

Joan Shuster

Robert Snure

Donald Wylde

DECEMBER

BIRTHDAYS

REGINA IRIZARRY 12/02

RICHARD CUMMINGS 12/03

ALFRED ROBERT 12/06

ANNA VENTURA 12/06

VICTOR MCCLOUD 12/08

JOSEPH SAVASTA 12/08

WALTER DRUMMOND 12/09

RAYMOND LINDSAY 12/11

PETER OGRODNIK 12/15

JOAN WILLIAMS 12/19

LILLIE MITCHELL 12/20

RONALD MEYERS 12/23

RICHARD OCONNELL 12/24

JOSEPH VEHOCK 12/24

BERNARD WILLIAMS 12/24

ROSEANNE KERRIGAN-GOODNESS 12/25

GEORGE MARTINO 12/25

MARIE DAVISSON 12/27

DOROTHY FIORENTINO 12/27

EDWARD DEGEORGIS 12/28

ANTONETTE HOERTH 12/28

ANTHONY INTILI 12/29

ANTHONY MARTELLONI 12/29

GERARD FARINELLA 12/30

MARY BRENNAN 12/31

CARMEN COLLINS 12/31

GOLDEN THOMPSON 12/31

Veterans Voice December 2018

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A C T I V I T Y S N A P S H O T

As part of the Giving Tuesday celebration – a global

movement of giving back and promoting philanthropy,

staff from the USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service,

Mid-Atlantic Region made festive placemats to share

with homeless shelters and soup kitchens; made holiday

cards for nursing and Veterans Home residents, and cards

to bring a smile to sick kids or those dealing with cancer.

The Saint John Vianney School Catholic

Athletes for Christ volunteered and assisted

with activities and Christmas Decorations.

Resident Anthony Apice pictured above and

Resident Joe Spicer pictured below.

Resident Ronald Dittman enjoys chess with vol-

unteer Louis Leiggi. Marine Veterans celebrate the Marine Corps

League Birthday courtesy of the Batko family.

The MCA Bears sang and visited with the Residents.

Merry “Stressfest” Patrick Maholick, MSW Director, Admissions/Social Services

It is easy to get excited when we are in the midst of a lot of activity such as we experience during

the year–end holiday season. Unfortunately excitement can lead to stress or even illness when we

over-indulge or are over stimulated. The lessons you have mastered through your lifetime regarding

understanding your tolerance for good times and good things are the key to enjoying this holiday

season.

Our Residents’ recreation staff is eager to present a wide variety of holiday activities and treats.

Many community organizations are happy to provide programs to our veterans throughout the year

but especially at year’s end. Many family members who haven’t been able to visit for a while may

all reunite here seemingly all at one time. It’s up to you to apply the brakes when you are beginning

to feel you’ve had enough.

If you start to feel annoyed or more confused, you’re about to reach “enough.” If you begin to feel

tired or anxious, you’ve surpassed “enough.” You are stressed. If you get to feeling sick, then

you’ve probably forgotten to exercise good sense.

You can control what you take in. Keep your own score. Choose the activities you think you might

enjoy the most. Choose the holiday treats you know you can eat. Recycle gifts you might receive

but cannot utilize rather than try to squeeze them into an already over-crowded armoire. Give them

to a family member or a friend! There’s always another holiday coming around the corner. You

don’t have to take everything in at one time, making life more complicated than it already is! Let’s

keep our holidays a feast not a “stressfest.”

On behalf of the Admissions/Social Work staff we wish one and all a happy and healthy holiday

season!

COMMUNITY GENEROSITY

NJ Veterans Memorial Home at Menlo Park Resident Council

Officers Glenn Osborne, President

Ken Miller, Vice President

Jerry Luna, Eagle Unit Rep

Joan Williams, Freedom Unit Rep

Beverly Epstein, Liberty Unit Rep

Jim Carolan, Independence Unit Rep

Next Meeting Tuesday

December 18, 2018 10:30 am

Town Square

Be sure to attend!

Volunteer Ombudsman

Officer

Elaine Tweedus

732-995-7482

Veterans Voice December 2018 Veterans Voice December 2018

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Denise Lima Laskiewicz accepting the UAW

Holiday Donation from Fred Sona.

American Legion Post 529 made a generous monetary

donation and handmade blankets for the Residents.

The Korean War Veterans Chapter 148 made a

donation for the Holiday Gift Bag Program. The Red Cross held their Annual Holiday Party with

music goodies & plenty of gifts!

Cross of Glory Lutheran Church presented items

donated by their parishioners.

JP Stevens School performed with angelic voices

for the Residents.

Veterans Voice December 2018 Veterans Voice December 2018

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DECEMBER FESTIVITIES Denise Lima-Laskiewicz, ADC

December is a month filled with action packed activities and as well as quiet moments. During these quiet moments it is a wonderful time to recall the special meaning of the holiday over a cup of hot cocoa while listening to the holiday carols playing in the background. Throughout December the holiday spirit will encircle the residents on the Old Glory unit and the Star and Stripes unit. It begins on the Old Glory unit on Sunday, December 2nd with entertainment by Everything’s Good at 2:00 pm. In fact every Sunday this month join us for musical entertainment at 2:00 pm. December 9th, Jerry Spathis will perform. December 16th, Joe Paris will perform. December 23, Steve Berger will perform. Dec 30th, Steve and Ro will perform. On December 19th join us for the holiday party with Lina Fiscardi and the New Year’s Eve Party on December 31st with Drew Coscia. On December 25th join us for music with Joe Davi. The Stars and Stripes unit will have music fill the hallways with musical entertainment scheduled at 2:00 pm every Saturday. Please join us on these following dates. December 1st, Everything’s Good will perform. December 8th, Jerry Spathis will perform. December 15th, Joe Paris will perform. December 22nd, Lina Fiscaridi will perform. December 29th, Steve Berger will perform. On December 19th join us for the holiday party with Floyd Murray and the New Year’s Eve Party on December 31 with Joe Davi. On December 25th join us for the music with Everything’s’ Good who will perform. On December 15th there will be an added special event at 3:15 pm the Middlesex Elks will host a bingo. Take a peek at the unit calendar then stop by to participate and attend the diverse activities on the Old Glory unit and the Star and Stripes unit. Come one. Come all. Join the residents and staff for a festive Holiday season! Happy Hanukah! Happy Kwanza! Merry Christmas! Everyone. …….

VETERANS DAY 2018

Holiday Toy Drive

Each year Jennifer Pajak and Paulette Young, Executive Secretaries organize a Holiday Toy Drive at the NJ Veterans Home at Menlo Park. The toys are donated to the children of deployed service men and women through the NJ National Guard. This helps to make their holiday a little brighter though they are missing their moms or dads. Each year the response is overwhelming. If you would like to donate to the program, there is still time. You can bring your toy to the administration office by December 20, 2018.

Remembering Pearl Harbor Christine A. Caratozzolo Supervisor of Recreation Pearl Harbor, a land locked harbor of Oahu Island, Hawaii, west of Honolulu is one of the largest and best natural harbors in the Pacific Ocean. In the vicinity, there are many U. S. military installations, including the Chief U.S. Pacific Naval Base, Hickam Air Force Base, U.S. Pacific Naval base, Pearl Harbor Naval Air Station, and Camp H. M. Smith, Headquarters of the U.S. Pacific command. The United States first gained rights there in 1887, when the Hawaiian monarchy permitted a coaling and repair station. After the United States annexed Hawaii in 1900, Pearl Harbor was made into a naval base. Harbor improvements and fortifications were added later, especially after the signing of the Berlin Pact in 1940 by the Axis nations. On Dec. 7, 1941, while negotiations were going on with Japanese representatives in Washington, Japanese carrier-based planes swept in without warning over Oahu and attacked the bulk of the U.S. Pacific fleet, moored in Pearl Harbor. Nineteen Naval vessels, including eight battleships, were sunk or severely damaged including 188 U.S. aircraft were also destroyed. Military casualties were 2,280 killed and 1,109 wounded; 68 civilians also died. On Dec. 8, the United States declared war on Japan. There were many charges of negligence against those responsible for Pearl Harbor's defense. A special commission appointed by President Franklin D. Roosevelt accused the Army and Navy commanders at Hawaii of dereliction of duty in a report on Jan. 24, 1942. Later, Army and Navy investigations concluded that no valid grounds existed for court-martial. A congressional committee, formed in Sept. 1945, absolved the Army and Navy commanders in a formal report on July 16, 1946, but censured the War Dept. and the Dept. of the Navy. Pearl Harbor is now a national historic landmark; a memorial has been built over the sunken hull of the USS Arizona. The battleship Missouri, site of Japan's surrender, is also preserved there as a memorial.

Veterans Voice December 2018 Veterans Voice December 2018

Special Religious Programs &

Services

Chapel Services

Protestant Services every

Sunday at 10:15 am with

Rev. Lester Shelley

Catholic Mass every Monday at 1:15 pm

with Father Thomas Naduviledath, Father Vernon

Kohlemann and Father

Patrick Nwachukwu

The Advent Season and Christmas Joy Reverend Lester Shelley, BS, M.Div.

Let us be reminded that the Advent season starts on the first Sunday of December 2018. Advent marks the beginning of the Christian year across many churches in the United States. Its length varies from 22 to 28 days, starting on the Sunday nearest St. Andrew’s Day and encompassing the next three Sundays, ending on Christmas Day. Advent is originally a time to reflect and prepare for Christmas similar to how Lent is in preparation for Easter. As we prepare to celebrate Christmas, if there is a single word that describes what Christmas is all about, it’s the little word “joy.” Several of my favorite carols mention it: “Joy to the world, the Lord is come” ,“O come all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant”, Joyful all ye nations rise, join the triumph of the skies, with the angelic host proclaim, Christ is born in Bethlehem.” As you read this message, how many of you feel joyful? It may not be hard to feel joy as you walk along the streets, in stores shopping and hearing all the beautiful Christmas carols. But it’s not always easy to feel joyful. Part of our problem is that we’ve got the wrong idea about joy. We tend to connect it with happiness and think that joy depends on our circumstances. You may not feel joy frantically racing through the shopping mall. In fact, going to the mall this time of year is an excellent way to lose your joy. Christmas seems to fade away and turns into a time that should be joyful into a time of stress. We are further instructed to rejoice always, to be careful no matter what, because God loves a cheerful heart. Where does Christmas joy come from? Listen to the words from Luke 2:8-10 and see if you can discover the answer. “And there were shepherds living out in the field nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.” I pray that you have a joyful holiday season, Christmas and a happy New Year.

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Mary Aloia Michael Brienza

Thelma Bunn Allen Castner

Michael Chiapperino Joseph Dranchak

Louis Faraone Liberta Gartland Samuel Klemow George Kuzma John O’Carroll Edwin Phillips Dennis Raith Grace Seddio

Samuel Vereshack

IN REMEMBRANCE

Pastor Lou DeVita with the Tuesday morning Bible Study Group.