Thanks guys.
Richard, your suggestion works perfectly!
Here is an interesting side note: I'm using the 4.1 API documentation (since I'm using the 4.1 JDE), which does not mention the required use of DATE, TIME, or DATE_TIME style bits (though it makes perfect sense after you pointed it out). I found this rather strange so I "google searched" part of the phrase and found that the 4.2 API documentation DOES indeed read just like you quoted. Looks like they've updated their documentation since 4.1
4.1 documentation:
RIM Device Java Library: Class DateField)
4.2 documentation:
RIM Device Java Library: Class DateField)
Anyway, thanks again for your help!