Bulletin 24 – 09 (01 MAY 2024 Edition)
Michael J. D’Amicol 
FOR YOUR SITUATIONAL AWARENESS ONLY:
IN MEMORY, THIS HEADQUARTERS REGRETFULLY ANNOUNCES THE DEATH OF
SFC (Ret.) Michael J. D’Amicol Father of SSG Justin M. D’Amicol
Member of Joint Forces Headquarters, Connecticut Army National Guard
SFC (Ret.) Michael J. D’Amicol
Father of SSG Justin M. D’Amicol
Member of Joint Forces Headquarters, Connecticut Army National Guard
Celebration Of Life
Date: Friday, May 31, 2024, 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Place: Rockville Elks Lodge 1359
9 North Park Street, Rockville, CT 06066
Obituary: Obituary information for Michael J. D’Amicol (hardestyfuneralhome.com)
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Michael’s memory to:
Mission 22
Donate to Giving Campaign (mission22.com)
Top News Stories:
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Members of the U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command/U.S. 4th Fleet reserve unit participate in a physical fitness assessment, May 15, 2022. (MC2 Daniel Cleary/Navy)
Leaders from the Air Force Reserve and Navy Reserve told lawmakers in written testimonies Tuesday that their forces are expected to fall short of this year’s fiscal year recruitment goals.
May 2, 2024 — LINCOLN, Neb. – The Nebraska National Guard is assisting state and local first responders after a tornado caused widespread damage.Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen authorized the Nebraska National Guard to… MORE
May 2, 2024 — CAMP MURRAY, Wash. – The second iteration of Enduring Partners commenced April 30 with an opening ceremony officiated by Royal Thai Air Force Group Captain Sithipol Pomtri, exercise director, and U.S… MORE
May 2, 2024 — RICHMOND, Va. – The Virginia National Guard has been selected as the U.S. partner to the nation of Finland for the Department of Defense National Guard Bureau State Partnership Program, Gov. Glenn… MORE
May 2, 2024 — WASHINGTON – The National Guard is a dynamic operational force integral to the National Defense Strategy, the Guard’s most senior officer told lawmakers April 30, emphasizing that sustained mission… MORE
May 2, 2024 — KOROR, Palau – In a historic ceremony at the Ngarachamayong Cultural Center in downtown Koror, Palau President Surangel Whipps Jr., Guam Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero and Col. Michael Cruz, adjutant general… MORE
May 1, 2024 — MIDDLE RIVER, Md. – The Air National Guard has recognized a Maryland Air National Guard Airman for innovation that helps improve efficiency and operational readiness at the 175th Wing.Capt. Kerry Guy,… MORE
May 1, 2024 — SIOUX CITY, Iowa – For Adele (the dog, not the singer), after her person, Chaplain Lt. Col. Stephen Peters, deployed to Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar last fall, it was like he was gone for years in dog… MORE
May 1, 2024 — WEYERS CAVE, Va. – Virginia National Guard Soldiers with Alpha Company, 3rd Battalion, 116th Infantry Regiment, 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, conducted aviation training with crews with the 2nd… MORE
April 30, 2024 — FORT CARSON, Colo. – Over 45 Maryland National Guard Soldiers are providing public affairs and logistics support during the Vibrant Response 24 exercise in Colorado April 19 to May 3. VR is an annual… MORE
April 30, 2024 — LATHAM, N.Y. – Seven hundred New York Army National Guard Soldiers will take part in the multinational African Lion training exercise in Tunisia and Morocco in May.Most of the New York National Guard… MORE
April 30, 2024 — RICHMOND, Va. – Tucked behind a blue door at the Virginia Army National Guard’s Army Aviation Support Facility is the organization’s avionics section, where a small group of full-time Soldiers work to… MORE
April 30, 2024 — SYRIA – U.S. Army Sgt. Lauren Shalabi was picking up her meal at a market in North East Syria and wasn’t expecting chaos but was ready for it. Her daily routine on March 24 was abruptly interrupted… MORE
April 29, 2024 — SAVANNAH, Ga. –The Georgia Army National Guard Safety Office hosted its 10th annual Joint Parachute Operations Mishap Preventative Orientation Course Enhanced (POMPOC-E) April 17 – 26 at the Air… MORE
April 29, 2024 — PORT HUENEME, Calif.– The U.S. Forest Service held its annual certification and training event for the aerial firefighting program known as MAFFS (Modular Airborne Fire Fighting System) with the… MORE
April 29, 2024 — HENDERSON, Nev. – U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. Michael A. Loh, director, Air National Guard, and Chief Master Sgt Maurice L. Williams, command chief Air National Guard, hosted ANG senior leaders and… MORE
April 26, 2024 — LAS VEGAS – National Guard members and leaders from partner nations came together last week to participate in the State Partnership Program conference—an annual forum to collaborate about global… MORE
April 25, 2024 — LAS VEGAS – The North Carolina National Guard and Moldova were awarded the 2023 Partnership of the Year at the State Partnership Program’s annual conference April 16-18.Brig. Gen. Timothy Brower, the… MORE
April 24, 2024 — BOISE, Idaho – Soldiers from the Oregon National Guard’s 41st Infantry Brigade Combat Team conducted intensive live-fire squad exercises April 19 at the Orchard Combat Training Center, honing crucial… MORE
April 24, 2024 — MARINE CORPS AIR STATION YUMA, Ariz. – Aviators from the Alaska Army National Guard graduated from the Marine Corps Weapons and Tactics Instructor course April 22, marking a significant moment in the… MORE
April 23, 2024 — FORT INDIANTOWN GAP, Pa. – Army Gen. Daniel R. Hokanson, chief of the National Guard Bureau, met with Pennsylvania National Guard leaders and members of the Eastern Army National Guard Aviation… MORE
2024 VA Disability Payment Schedule
Army Connecticut Veterans Bulletin
Behavioral Health Resources:
Connecticut National Guard > Resources > Behavioral Health (ng.mil)
In crisis? Need help? Call 1 (800) 273-8255 and press 1
Contact a Connecticut National Guard Specialist
| Ms. Susan Tobenkin, LCSW Behavioral Health Specialist (860) 830-8991 susan.e.tobenkin.civ@army.mil |
Mr. Michael Dutko, LPC Licensed Professional Counselor (860) 946-9810 michael.t.dutko.civ@army.mil |
Mr. Peter Doria, LCSW Behavioral Health Specialist (860) 655-0296 peter.e.doria.civ@army.mil |
I am a Retiree/Veteran:
Check out these resources
America the Beautiful Passes
Armed Forces Recreation Centers/Hotels & Resorts
American Forces Travel Program
Survivor Benefits Newsletter and Link
DFAS Survivor SBP Newsletter Fall2023
Download entire newsletter HERE:
DFAS Retiree Newsletter & Benefits News + Link
Still most recent edition
Download entire newsletter HERE: DFAS Retiree Newsletter December 2023 – Still most recent edition
Free tax return preparation for Veterans, military members, and their families!
Free tax return preparation for Veterans, military members and their families – VA News
Military Spouse Appreciation 2024 Bingo_09 MAY 2024 -SAVE THE DATE!!!
DESIGNER PURSE BINGO!
Please join us as we celebrate
MILITARY SPOUSE
APPRECIATION MONTH
with a fun night of DESIGNER PURSE BINGO!
$40 per person, includes 10 BINGO cards, 1 ticket for the complimentary door prize and light refreshments.
Want more cards? No problem! They’ll be available for purchase!
THIS EVENT IS OPEN TO ANYONE SO BRING A FRIEND!
THURSDAY, MAY 9TH, 2024
William A. O’Neill Armory
Officer’s and Enlisted Club, 360 Broad Street, Hartford, CT
6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Doors will open at 5:30 p.m.
100% of the proceeds benefit Service Members and Families in need as well as National Guard and Reserve unit Soldier & Family Readiness Groups!
The Connecticut National Guard Foundation, Inc. is a federally recognized 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.
DOWNLOAD FLYER HERE: Military Spouse Appreciation 2024 Bingo_09 MAY 2024
REGISTER NOW FOR THIS GREAT EVENT @
https://forms.osi.apps.mil/r/AHHCirfNds
Payment can be made via Venmo – CTNFGI
For questions, please contact the NG Foundation at ctngfi@sbcglobal.net
The Service Member and Family Support Center can also help connect you by calling us at 1.800.858.2677
Connecticut Guardian
The newest edition of the Connecticut Guardian is now available online at: CG_2024_01.pdf (ng.mil)
CT JEEP 500
** Gov. Ned Lamont announced a new initiative to encourage state residents to join the Connecticut National Guard.
DOWNLOAD JEEP FLYER HERE: JEEP Flyer
The Connecticut Military Department’s Joint Enlistment Enhancement Program (CT JEEP 500). Each CTNG Guard Member (except for those members (and their relatives) who are assigned/attached to the 6th Recruiting and Retention Battalion), CTNG Retiree and CT Militia Member is eligible to become a Recruiting Assistant (RA). An RA who enrolls a lead in CT JEEP 500 will receive an allowance of $1,000 for each lead who enlists in the CTNG. Leads enlisting into a priority vacancy received additional $500.
Army Echoes Now Available
Current edition: https://soldierforlife.army.mil/Documents/echoes/latest.pdf
Army Echoes is the Army’s official newsletter for Retired Soldiers and surviving spouses. This month’s featured articles include:
- The Army Chief of Staff Retired Soldier Council’s historic meeting
- Survivor Benefit Plan Open Season Update
- The VA disability rating and its full arsenal of benefits
- Gray Area Retired Soldier and ready for retired pay?
- Managing your retired pay allotments
- Use your military benefits for a great vacation
- Take advantage of your FEDVIP enrollment period
To contact the Army Echoes editor, send an email to ArmyEchoes@army.mil.
US Military Recreation Facilities (Excerpted from the “Stephanie at Poppin’ Smoke” newsletter) If you want a fun vacation that won’t break the bank, don’t forget that you can use your benefits to stay in military recreational lodging. Here are 17 ideas to get you started with your planning.
2024 Calendar of Events
Retiring Soon:
Who: SGM Marco Lopes
What: Retirement Celebration
When: Friday, March 29th, 2024 at 1800-2300
Where: Portuguese Sport Club, 1966 Baldwin Street, Waterbury, CT 06706
Thanks for your 20+ years of service SGM Lopes!
The National Guard Association of CT State Sponsored Life Insurance (SSLI)
- Up to $1,000,000 coverage available*
- Members covered in combat
- Covered 24/365
- Most valid claims paid within 24 to 48 hours of receipt of proof of loss
- All military occupations covered
- Spouse and Children coverage available
- Coverage does not end and rates DO NOT go up just because you separate from the National Guard
- SSLI can be payroll deducted from drill check or AGR payroll
- All SSLI group plans cover members while serving in the Connecticut National Guard including deployment
For coverage details including eligibility, benefits, rates, exclusions, limitations and renewal provisions please contact the plan administrator tollfree at 800-633-8333.
National Guard Association of Connecticut State Sponsored Life Insurance is provided under group life insurance policies issued to the Militia Insurance Trust (MIT). The
Guardian group life policy and the Uniformed Services Benefit Association (USBA) 10, 15 and 20 year level term life policies are underwritten by New York Life Insurance Company.
DOWNLOAD FLYER HERE: SSLI FLYER
Honor Flight Connecticut
A Hub of the National Honor Flight Network
Honor Flight CT recognizes American veterans for their sacrifices and achievements by flying them to Washington, DC to see THEIR memorials at no cost. Current priority is chronological by conflict (WWII, Korea and Vietnam) with special consideration given to terminally ill veterans from all wars. Guardians fly with the veterans on every flight providing assistance and helping veterans have a safe, memorable and rewarding experience.
Please note: Veterans are only eligible once for the Honor Flight experience.
Your information MUST be exactly as it appears on your ID For Airline Travel (License, Passport, Govt ID):
DOWNLOAD THE HONOR FLIGHT APPLICATION HERE:Honor Flight – HFCT Vet App
Please submit this form to:
Honor Flight Connecticut
c/o Amy Casey
26 Copperstone Lane
Madison, CT 06443
