From the Executive Director's Desk,

On behalf of Mayor Michael Bloomberg, and from MOVA to all our veterans, family members, and service members, at home and abroad, serving in the war on terrorism - Happy New Year!

Many returning service members contact this office inquiring about employment opportunities. Highlighted in this issue of MOVA News we have links to organizations that are offering employment opportunities with preferences to veterans. Those organizations are the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and The Home Depot, Inc. Please read the links below for more information.

I am also encouraging our returning service members to sign up for their health screening through the US Department of Veterans Affairs. The telephone number for making an appointment is: (888) 698-2467. Also, please keep in mind that readjustment counseling is also offered through the Vet Centers throughout the 5 boroughs. Links for this very important, and confidential, service can be obtained in this newsletter and on the MOVA homepage.

We also have links below to many events and opportunities. I encourage you all to please continue to share this information with any returning service members, and veterans, you meet. Keep in mind that MOVA is here to give assistance to any returning service members, veterans, and family members.

Please continue to keep our women and men in service to our city and nation in your thoughts and prayers. Until the next newsletter, take care, and . . .

Semper Fi,

Clarice Joynes
Executive Director & Military Liaison

The City and State of New York are providing New York Shoppers with a week of sales tax-free shopping from January 31 through February 6, 2005. Purchases of clothing and footwear costing less than $110 are exempt from New York's 8.625% sales tax during this week. For more information, or to obtain a list of exempt and nonexempt items, please visit the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance Web site at http://nystax.gov.

Homeowners in New York City's 5 boroughs are reminded that the deadline for filing the Veterans' Property Tax Exemption Application for the 2005/2006 tax year is March 15, 2005. Please visit www.nyc.gov/finance for more information or to download the application.

Hostos Community College's Division of Academic Affairs in conjunction with New York City Housing Preservation & Development is offering a Contractor's Development Program for small, community-based minority or women-construction firms. The classes will be held from 5 to 8 p.m., every Wednesday starting February 9, 2005 and ending April 20, 2005. There is limited space for the program. Interested applicants should call (718) 518-6725 for more information or to register.

Individuals interested in working for the City of New York are encouraged to visit the New York City Department of Citywide Administrative Services Web site to view a listing of scheduled examinations open to all qualified individuals. Examinations are currently being conducted to establish lists of eligible candidates for future hiring consideration. Please visit www.nyc.gov/dcas for more information.

The Veterans' Benefits Improvement Act of 2004 was recently signed into law allowing for VA-guaranteed home loans to keep pace with rising home values. Changes under the law mean veterans will be able to get no-downpayment loans of up to $359,700. The previous ceiling was $240,000. The new law allows the Veterans' Administration to guarantee one-year adjustable rate mortgages (ARMs). It also extends the VA's Hybrid ARM Program which allows veterans to lock in a favorable interest rate for at least three years. Please visit www.homeloans.va.gov for more information.

The Veterans' Administration recently announced its newly re-engineered health eligibility Web site. The site, which was officially launched January 10, 2005, is the VA's source for information on Veterans' health benefits eligibility. Please visit www.va.gov/healtheligibility to access the site.

Since 1999, there has been a 175% increase in the number of Veterans being compensated for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). PTSD is a psychiatric illness that can occur following life-threatening events. The Manhattan Vet Center, 32 Broadway, Suite 200, periodically conducts "Understanding Traumatic Stress and Recovery" workshops to help veterans learn more about the purpose of traumatic stress reactions while helping them develop more effective coping strategies. Please call Jo Potestivo at (212) 742-9591 for more information.

The Manhattan Vet Center is currently planning its June 2005 Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Conference at Hunter College, New York, NY. Please call Jack Maloney at (212) 742-9591 for more information.

The North Shore Queens Detachment Marine Corps League is hosting a Memorial Service in honor of U.S. Marine Corps Medal of Honor recipient Lance Corporal Thomas P. Noonan, Jr. The tribute will take place at 11:15 a.m., Saturday, February 5, 2005 at Calvary Cemetery, Greenpoint Avenue and Gale Avenue, Sunnyside, Queens. An indoor service and fellowship will follow the at the Vietnam Veterans of America, Chapter #32 building, 88-61 76th Avenue, Glendale, New York 11385. For more information, please call Tom Maher at (917) 682-6731, (718) 380-5554 or e-mail at scoutmaster@nyc.rr.com.

The Renaissance Military and Leadership Academy, I.S. 286, 509 West 129th Street, New York, is seeking retired or active duty members of the armed forces to serve as volunteers in its cadet leadership program. Volunteers are needed to assist with morning formation and drill, march with cadets to and from class, conduct uniform and classroom inspections, assist with military activities and training, conduct hallway patrols and provide security for the cadets and staff. Interested volunteers should contact Lt. Col. Gregory E. Collins, Commandant of Cadets at (212) 690-0119, (212) 690-5972 or (917) 434-6817..

The State of New York has announced an additional package of benefits and protections for service members. The intent of this enhanced Patriot Plan II benefits package is to minimize the disruptions military activation causes armed forces personnel and their families. Among the provisions is an amendment to the New York Education Law which allows Persian Gulf Education Benefits to be extended to honorably discharged veterans who served in the region from August 19, 2001 to Sept. 10, 2004 or from September 11, 2001 through the end of hostilities in the region. Please visit the New York State Higher Education Services Corporation Web site at www.hesc.org for more information. For a comprehensive summary of the provisions of Patriot Plan II, please visit www.dmna.state.ny.us.

Operation Career Front, a National Hiring Initiative between Home Depot and the Departments of Defense, Labor and Veterans' Affairs, aims to provide career opportunities for service members who are interested in transferring their skills, knowledge and abilities into a successful career. Applicants can learn more about Operation Career Front by applying at one of the Department of Labor's One-Stop Career Center. Please visit www.servicelocator.org to find the nearest Center to you. Job seekers can also visit http://careers.homedepot.com/military or complete an online application at a an employment kiosk at their local Home Depot store.

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is seeking qualified candidates to work as Security Screeners providing security for air travelers, airports and aircraft. Veterans who are disabled or who served on active duty in the Armed Forces during certain specified time periods or in military campaigns are entitled to preference over nonveterans both in hiring from competitive lists of eligibles and in retention during reductions in force. Applicants can search the TSA's listing of nationwide opportunities at https://tsacareers.recruitsoft.com or by calling the TSA Recruitment Center at (800) 887-1895.

Marines interested in trying to replace a missing "Platoon Book" from the Marine Corps Recruit Depot in San Diego are encouraged to call the Marine Corps Recruit Depot Museum Historical Society at (619) 524-4426. To determine if a yearbook is available from Parris Island, please contact the Parris Island Historical & Museum Society at (803) 521-9017 or (803) 525-2951.

United States Navy Veterans interested in searching for old Navy Cruise Books are encouraged to begin their search online through the Navy Department Library. The site is located at www.history.navy.mil/library. For ships still in commission, please write to the public affairs officer of that ship and ask if any Cruise Books remain. Ships' mailing addresses can be researched at www.chinfo.navy.mil.