One year ago this week, Military Matters made its debut as part of the family of ROI-NJ publications.
We created Military Matters because we believe that military activity in New Jersey has a broad and substantial impact on the state’s economy.
As one example, Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, which is the only tri-service base in the nation, pumps about $6 billion into the state economy each year; it employs more than 40,000 people at the base and another 40,000 in peripheral jobs.
A financial profile of that magnitude is equivalent to that of a Fortune 500 company. This is not something the New Jersey economy can afford to lose.
The timing of Military Matters is crucially important for another reason.
Currently, about 0.4% of Americans are actively serving in the military (about 7.4% have served if you count veterans).
That means an overwhelming majority of Americans do not know anyone in the service nor do they have a specific grasp of the unique challenges and often painful sacrifices required by the those who defend our freedom and our way of life.
Military Matters is dedicated to telling as clearly and as frequently as we can, the story of these Americans and the challenges they face and the sacrifices they make.
This includes an unblinking eye on difficult stories about the financial and mental health challenges faced by our military family members. We present these stories in the hope that more awareness can lead to more support for all that need it.
Military Matters is also proud to publish stories of the heroism, honor, and selflessness demonstrated by our military men and women – not just in extraordinary circumstances – but frequently in carrying out their day-to-day duties.
It is not difficult to write engaging and compelling stories when it is about these men and women. Their dedication to country and to duty is inspiring and unwavering. They do not do it for glory or recognition. They do it from a deep sense of duty.
We have been honored to know so many of these people and tell their stories.
All of us at ROI-NJ and Military Matters are grateful for the support and encouragement we have received – both from the military and the business communities. We hope to continue what we are doing for many years to come.
