New Stanton bugler heads to Gettysburg for Taps

A New Stanton bugler who has played at military funerals since he was in the eighth grade is set to play Taps Saturday at the Soldiers Monument in the Gettysburg National Cemetery as part of “100 Nights of Taps.”

Harrison City National Guardsman is top shooter in Pennsylvania

A National Guardsman from Harrison City took top honors in the Governor’s Twenty marksmanship competition over the weekend at the Fort Indiantown Gap Warrior Training Grounds.

News and events from around the state and nation, from PA DMVA

Read on...

New Law Increases VA Home Loan Limits, Funding Fees

Starting Jan. 1, any veteran who wants to take advantage of the VA's "zero-down payment" loan program will be able to do so, even in areas with high housing costs. Most veterans seeking a VA-backed home loan will also pay more in VA funding fees.

Register now for Aug. 10 Fallen Heroes Run (motorcycle)

Read on...

Local veteran events, state and national news

Read on...

Some Groups Claiming to Serve Vets Bilk Public Out of Millions, FTC Finds

The FTC, legitimate veterans service organizations, watchdog groups, the Better Business Bureau, states attorneys general, AARP have repeatedly put out warnings to potential donors to check out the groups claiming to help veterans.

Giant Eagle Hiring Event ($40K+) July 30, Pittsburgh

Please see flyer for details and registration information.

Pentagon Delays Big Changes to Post-9/11 GI Bill Transfer Rules until 2020

The Pentagon is delaying implementation of a new restriction that limits which service members can transfer their Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits to their spouses or children, according to a letter from the Pentagon to a member of Congress.

‘Blue water’ veterans’ claims delayed until next year

Thousands of veterans already waiting for years for their disability benefits will have to wait a few months longer after Veterans Affairs officials announced they won’t start processing “blue water” Vietnam veterans claims until next year.

VA MISSION Act: Answers to the top five questions about urgent care

Urgent care is one of the new benefits offered as part of the VA MISSION Act. The benefit is offered in addition to the opportunity to receive care from a VA provider, as VA also offers same-day services.

Pirates Armed Forces Appreciation Night, August 24

Read on...

Blue water presumptive conditions named

Read on...

News from around the region, state, and nation 3 July 2019

Read on...

July Events from Veterans Leadership Program

Read on...

Leechburg area campaign underway to say thanks to troops, first responders

Leechburg area children and adults are encouraged to take part in the second annual Operation Gratitude collection of letter, cards and drawings for troops and first responders from the community.

Retired U.S. Marine from Greensburg displays WW II weapons, gear at West Overton Museum

Retired U.S. Marine Corps First Sgt. Ron Maxson picked up a 9 1/2 pound M1 rifle on exhibit Saturday at West Overton Museum in Scottdale and told the onlookers he could still “tear it down and put it back together blindfolded.”

Navy spouses may recoup licensing fees when PCSing

Read on...

Gov. Wolf Signs First-in-the-Nation Education Program to Benefit National Guard Member Families

Read on...

Women Veterans Expo and Town Hall Aug. 25, Wilkes-Barre

The Governor's Advisory Council for Veterans Services invites women veterans to a town hall and expo Aug. 24th in Wilkes-Barre. See the flyer for details and registration info,.

Regional events, VA updates, Employment opps

Read on...

Benefits for ‘blue water’ veterans finalized after years-long fight

Late Tuesday night, President Donald Trump signed the legislation, which grants presumptive status for disability benefits to an estimated 90,000 Navy veterans who served in the seas around Vietnam during the war.

Veteran Entrepreneurs: SBA Lender Match helps link you with business loans

Read on...

SGLI Rates going down 1 July

Read on...

Pennsylvania warns of phone scam targeting elderly, disabled

Phone scammers posing as state Department of Revenue employees are targeting senior citizens and people with disabilities in an effort to obtain people’s bank information, according to the state agency.

Caring for a loved one at home?

Read on...

News from around the region, state, and nation June 19, 2019

Read on...

News from around the region, state, and nation

Read on...

New VA Policy Aims to Stop Veterans from Hiding Guns in Wheelchairs

The Department of Veterans Affairs now has a policy requiring veterans in wheelchairs to switch to ones provided by the facility during emergency room visits to make sure they're not hiding guns, a top VA official testified Tuesday.

Same Day Mental Health services for Veterans

All 172 VA Medical Centers (VAMCs) provide Same-Day Mental Health Care services. If a Veteran is in crisis or has another need for mental health care right away, he or she will receive immediate attention from a health care professional.

Marine Corps League of Pennsylvania to gather in Hempfield

A group of 200-to-250 members of the Marine Corps League of Pennsylvania are expected to descend upon the Greensburg area next week for the organization’s 74th annual convention.

Q&A: Charley Shop’n Save owner bikes across U.S. for veterans’ charity

Ray Charley biked 2,000 miles to prepare for his 3,048-mile, 48-day trek across the United States.The 14 cyclists in Charley’s group raised money for different veteran charities. Charley raised money for Feherty’s Troops First Foundation.

No more smoking at VA hospitals

The Department of Veterans Affairs is outlawing smoking, vaping and other forms of tobacco use at its health care facilities across the country in an effort to better treat and protect patients, the agency announced Monday.

World War II fighter pilot, retired Leechburg eye doctor promotes recycling, renewable energy

Dr. Arthur Duppstadt owes most of his life to the French.
The now-retired optometrist from Leechburg was 19 when his P-51 Mustang, a single-seat fighter plane, was shot down during World War II in Nazi- occupied France.

Former Ligonier female veteran honored for long military service

“I was just a small town girl who got to get out and see the world,” said Wilkins, 48, a former Ligonier resident.

Thousands of disabled veterans may get refunds of VA home loan fees

More than 53,000 disabled veterans may be owed refunds totaling about $189 million in home loan fees they were incorrectly charged by the Department of Veterans Affairs, according to estimates from the VA Inspector General.

Stories from D-Day

On the night of June 5, 1944, Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower wrote a letter of apology. He knew history was watching.

Western Pennsylvanians look back on D-Day 75 years later

Warren Goss will never forget the rigorous training he went through in England leading up to the D-Day invasion.

Particularly what it didn’t prepare him for.

News from around the state, region, and nation from PA DMVA

Read on...

Free Braille/Talking Book Program for Veterans

Read on...

VA announces final community care regulations under MISSION Act

Read on...

Volunteer drivers need for VA Pittsburgh medical appointments

Read on...

Life-saving partners: Veterans honor their service dogs at Duquesne U. ceremony

Army veteran Sami Erbecker stopped her car on a bridge last month and got out of the vehicle because, she said, “I was going to jump.” Her dog Angel blocked her. “I got back in the car and went home because I could not leave Angel behind.”

Queen, world leaders honor veterans on D-Day anniversary

Queen Elizabeth II and world leaders gathered Wednesday on the south coast of England to honor the troops who risked and sacrificed their lives 75 years ago on D-Day, a bloody but ultimately triumphant turning point in World War II.

Op-Ed: Veterans with addiction: Get your life back — for you and your family

"As a physician in the U.S. Air Force, I became addicted to prescription pain pills following a routine hernia repair surgery. I’m now celebrating 19 years in recovery; and, I’m here to tell you that there is hope."

South Greensburg bugler, 79, has played taps at military funerals since 1956

Trumpeter John Massari of South Greensburg can’t say for certain how many times he’s performed taps with the VFW Post 33 Honor Guard in Greensburg.

Hempfield National Guard drill delivers goods to local charities

Thirty recent recruits with the Pennsylvania Army National Guard detachment in Hempfield completed a march with a mission Saturday.

With major changes a week away, VA secretary confident his department is ready

Veterans Affairs Secretary Robert Wilkie is approaching next Friday “just another day at VA” and not potentially one of the most transformative and disruptive moments for the veterans health system in decades.

Disabled Veterans can fly Space Available Flights for free

When congress signed the John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act last year,100% service connected disabled Veterans became eligible for Space Available Travel.

Volunteer Van Drivers sought to transport veterans to Pittsburgh VA medical appointments

Read on...

Red Coat Ambassadors needed to assist patients, visitors at VAPHS

Read on...

Honoring Our Veterans with Special License Plates

Read on...

Register now for Veterans Marathon, 1/2 Marathon, and Marathon Relay Nov. 3rd

Read on...

WWII combat medic, 95, honored for his heroic service

Three quarters of a century ago, Felix Lisovich was living day-to-day as a World War II combat medic tending to wounded soldiers in the Philippines, dodging kamikaze attacks from Japanese fighter planes, joining in jungle patrols.

Disabled Veterans eligible for free National Park Service Lifetime Access Pass

Good for entry into 400+ National Parks and over 2,000 recreation sites across the country

Veterans don’t need to pay for help to apply for benefits in PA

Westmoreland County’s director of Veterans Affairs is reminding veterans that applying for benefits should never come with a fee.

Applying for Veterans Benefits Should Never Come with a Fee

Read on...

Create a safely plan for you veteran in the home

Read on...

Vietnam vets appreciate Heinz History Center artifacts of war, memories

John Clark had been in Vietnam for about three weeks when, while out on patrol, he stepped on a metal stake that went through the side of his foot.

Team River Runners provides paddling sports activities for veterans, family members

Read on...

Free tick bite evaluation for VA patients right at home

Read on...

Military.com Explains Tricare's Explanation of Benefits

If you're like me, you probably wonder just what that document you get from Tricare after you receive any type of medical care actually is.

Info for Justice-involved Veterans

Read on...