TRENTON – Legislation sponsored by Senator John A. Girgenti to create a task force to study the needs of locals serving in the Armed Forces was approved by the full Senate today.
“New Jersey recently celebrated the return of almost 3,000 of its own National Guard Soldiers after a lengthy deployment and we must remember that it can be a tough transition for the troops and their families,” said Senator Girgenti, D-Bergen and Passaic. “These brave men and women endure hardship, separation from family and friends, and great personal danger in order to serve their country, and we must do everything we can to support them when they return home.”
The bill, S-2826 would establish a task force to address issues facing members of the United States Armed Forces and New Jersey National Guard who are returning from overseas deployment involving the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq and to make recommendations on its findings.
“Since the onset of the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, the media has given considerable attention to the physical, emotional, and financial stress that deployment causes a soldier and his or her family,” said Senator Girgenti. “Soldiers are worried about jobs and healthcare and unfortunately military service members returning from Iraq and Afghanistan are likely to experience Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and alcohol use disorders. This task force will go a long way in identifying the needs of our soldiers and the ways that we can assist them.”
The bill now heads to the Governor’s office for enactment.
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