CONNERS TO ATTEND DEPLOYMENT CEREMONY
FOR 3,000 NEW JERSEY NATIONAL GUARD MEMBERS

Assemblyman to Salute New Jersey Troops Headed Overseas

(TRENTON) - Assemblyman Jack Conners, chairman of the Military and Veterans' Affairs Committee, will attend the deployment of New Jersey National Guard members of the 50th Infantry Brigade Combat Team tomorrow at Fort Dix.  Over 3,000 New Jersey soldiers will be deployed for "Operation Iraqi Freedom" during the next eight days. 

The deployment is scheduled for:  10:30 a.m., Saturday, June 14, Doughboy Field, 3650 Florida Avenue, Fort Dix. 

"I am honored to share this occasion with New Jersey's National Guard members and their families," said Conners (D-Camden).  "It is important that all New Jerseyans honor our troops and the immense sacrifices they make for the country." 

The ceremony will be hosted by Major General Glenn K. Reith, Adjutant General of the Department of Military and Veterans' Affairs.  Following deployment, the soldiers will begin a 65-day training period at Fort Bliss in Texas.  The unit will then continue training in Kuwait before their year-long tour of Iraq.

Conners said that in recognition of the deployment of New Jersey's National Guard members he is sponsoring a resolution to recognize their service to our state and country. 

"It is important that the brave men and women in uniform know that all of New Jersey wishes them Godspeed and a safe return home to their loved ones from their overseas deployment," said Conners.

The measure was unanimously released yesterday by the Assembly Military and Veterans' Affairs Committee.

By January of 2009, total deployment of New Jersey guardsmen is expected to reach 4,000.

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