Veterans Day News

Trafford officials to mark war memorial’s centennial on Veterans Day

On Monday, a 10:30 a.m. ceremony marking the memorial’s centennial will take place at Trafford Veterans Memorial Park on Edgewood Avenue, featuring music from the Traf...

Prescription drug costs, some Tricare fees to rise in 2020

Tricare beneficiaries who fill their prescriptions at a retail store or by mail will see their prescription costs rise on Jan. 1, and enrollment fees for most retirees and their family members on Tricare Prime also will increase next year.

ROTC cadet from Mt. Pleasant surprised with Saint Vincent scholarship at Steelers game

Mt. Pleasant Area graduate Noah Lynch was honored to escort his ROTC commander at Saint Vincent College onto Heinz Field for a special presentation during Sunday’s game between the Steelers and the visiting Colts.

Veterans Day, Employment, more...

DMVA News

DMVA's Gino J. Merili Veterans' Center Has Immediate Job Openings:

The Gino J. Merli Veterans' Center in Scranton (Lackawanna County) has career opportunities available for registered nurses, licensed practical nurses and certified nurse aides. Jo...

Murrysville church taking nominations, donations for ‘A Soldier’s Christmas’ program

In addition to nominations, the veterans’ ministry also is accepting donations of food, toiletries and other everyday items.

Veterans, active-duty military get deals from businesses, restaurants

The region’s longstanding support of veterans and active-duty military personnel will be on display again this Veterans Day as businesses, restaurants and fraternal groups offer discounted meals and services.

First graduating class of Westmoreland County Veterans Court set

The first graduate of Westmoreland County Veterans Court will be recognized on Nov. 19. Mentors for the program are needed. Mentors work with program participants by phone, in person or during community activities.

Burrell Veterans Monument, North Huntingdon Event

North Huntingdon VFW post plans Veterans Day ceremony Read the article.

Veterans monument at Burrell’s Stewart School gets $8,000 facelift  Read the article.

Feedback sought from Veterans who use VA primary care

Do you regularly receive primary care from the VA? 

Are you taking multiple medications or have family or friends who helps manage your care?

Would you like to share information about your VA primary care experience to help improve a national impro...

Pittsburgh Vet Center events and news

Read the newsletter here.

Read on...

Veterans Day events planned in the Alle-Kiski Valley

Events honoring Veterans are scheduled throughout the region.

Veterans Day discounts and events, jobs around the state, more

Veterans Day Discounts 2019, Free Meals, Resources Exclusive To Veterans: 

Veterans Day is on Monday, Nov. 11, 2019. This Veterans Day discounts list will continue to be updated as the VA learns of more nationally available Veterans Day discounts,...

Small Business Administration and veteran entrepreneurs

The SBA held a workshop in Connellsville this week to educate veterans and partner agencies about free resources for those starting or sustaining a business. staff from Seton Hill University's Wukich Center for Entrepreneurial Opportunities, the Saint Vin...

Veterans Leadership Program news

Download the newsletter here.

Westmoreland Veterans Affairs director to be keynote speaker for Smithton dinner

Matt Zamosky, director of Westmoreland County Veterans Affairs, will address those attending an early Veterans Day dinner Nov.

The Weight of Honor--Nov. 5 in Pittsburgh

Download the flyer

Screening and panel discussion

Tuesday, Nov. 5th, Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Hall, 4141 Fifth Ave., Pittsburgh PA

6:30 pm Doors open, cocktails

7 pm Screening

8 pm Panel Discussion  

News from around the state and nation

Veterans Crisis Line: 

Veterans in crisis, or anyone who is concerned about a veteran, should call the Veterans Crisis Line at 1-800-273-8255 and then press 1. Please share this phone number with everyone you know and ask them to save it in their ...

Veterans, military retirees to see a 1.6 percent cost-of-living boost in benefits

Military retirees and veterans benefits recipients will see a 1.6 percent cost-of-living boost in their payouts starting in December, nearly half of the increase they received last year.

Veterans to be offered connection, healing through art at Touchstone Center for Crafts

“Our main mission is to create, connect and build communication between the veterans. You meet complete strangers and find a commonality. It’s an incredible way to instantly connect with others and maybe, along the way, fall in love with the process.”

Mindfulness Mondays Call Open for All

Download and print the flyer here.

Read on...

Battlefield Acupuncture comes to VA Pittsburgh

"I have no pain."

With those words, Air Force Veteran Nadine Stanford became the first patient at VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System to complete a battlefield acupuncture (BFA) treatment.

Effort under way to move Export veteran monument to ‘more prominent place’

When Gary Wuslich returned to western Pennsylvania for his uncle Brando Sachet’s funeral in December 2018, he began thinking about the veterans’ memorial stationed outside the former American Legion on Kennedy Avenue in Export.

Military warns of Iranian hackers targeting American troops with fake jobs website

U.S. military officials warned troops this week that Iranian hackers have set up a fake jobs website for veterans that targets servicemembers considering a transition back to civilian life.

News from around the state and nation

 DMVA News 

DMVA Still Looking For Photo Of Pennsylvania Veteran Who Paid Ultimate Sacrifice In Vietnam: 

To further honor and preserve the memory of our veterans for future generations, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund in Washi...

The Very Few, The Proud WOMEN In the Marine Corps--Oct. 14

Retired U.S. Marines Corps Colonel Nancy Anderson spent her career serving in roles from platoon commander through chief of staff of the 3rd Force Service Support Group on Okinawa, Japan.  Join Colonel Anderson as she discusses the history of wom...

Concerned about fraud or abuse and Seniors?

Fighting for Seniors presents "Responding to Financial Fraud and Exploitation"

Friday, Nov. 15

10:30am to noon

New Ken Center for Active Adults, 1039 3rd Ave, New Kensington  PA  

Please see flyer for more information.

Veterans benefits will see a cost-of-living bump this year, but how much?

Veterans will see a cost-of-living increase in their benefits payouts later this year, but it likely won’t be as big as the last one they received.

VA Health Information Sharing with Community Providers--opt in/out

VA is changing electronic health information sharing options to improve care coordination and continuity of care

VA electronically shares the right information at the right time with participating community care providers who treat you, in order to help yo...

Veterans Creative Arts Competition

Calling all creative artists! Veterans receiving care at VA Pittsburgh can enter our creative arts competition to showcase your creative and performing arts on Jan. 29 and 30 at our H.J. Heinz III campus. Entries accepted Dec. 1, 2019 to Jan. 15, 2020.&am...

Jeannette native works on advanced Navy helicopter

When Jeannette native Mia Harshbarger joined the Navy, she didn’t know she would be working on one of the branch’s most advanced helicopters.

Register now: "Making the Connection" Ray of Hope Conference Nov. 22

Making the Connection: Trauma, Addiction, Suicide  See the flyer

Sponsored by Westmoreland Co. Suicide Awareness and Prevention Task Force

Friday, Nov. 22

9am to 3 pm

WCCC Science Hall, Youngwood

Who should attend?

• Educators

•Mental Health Professiona...

Fort Indiantown Gap Added To List Of PFAS Contamination Sites

Fort Indiantown Gap Army National Guard base in Lebanon County has been added to the state Department of Environmental Protection’s growing list of military and industrial sites where the PFAS class of chemicals has been found.

New housing opportunity for 60 and over in Westmoreland

Elder Cottage Housing Opportunity (ECHO) is not a new concept ---its roots were as a “Grossdawdy Haus” in the 1880’s when Amish families used them as a way to keep loved ones near home. Today it has enormous potential for serving Pennsylvania’s rapidly gr...

FEDVIP Open Enrollment for Dental and Vision Insurance Starts Soon

The annual open enrollment for the Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program (FEDVIP) begins Nov. 11 and runs through Dec. 9, 2019.

Transportation options for veterans to VA Hospitals Pittsburgh

Find information on VA Shuttles between campuses, DAV van transportation throughout the region, and alternative transportation options in the guide.

More information is available on the VA Beneficiaries Travel website.