Message from the Adjutant General |
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Great Start to a New Year Supporting Service Members, Veterans and Their Families |
Happy New Year, everyone!
At the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA), we got off to a strong start to the New Year by attending and supporting the Service Members, Veterans and Their Families Day at the 109th Pennsylvania Farm Show on January 9.
The DMVA was represented in full-force that day, including having our Outreach team available to answer veterans’ questions; participating in the Veterans in Agriculture Grants press conference; and providing a chef for the Army-Coast Guard Cookoff, which was won by the Coast Guard.
It was great to see so many veterans take advantage of getting their free milk shake, compliments of the Pennsylvania Dairymen’s Association. We are already looking forward to all the fun the 110th Pennsylvania Farm Show will bring next year.
Also this month, we welcomed the winter class of Keystone State ChalleNGe Academy candidates. Our program continues to grow and we are proud of the hard-working cadets who have graduated from this academy, as well as the staff who has supported these young men and women along their journey.
Our Pennsylvania National Guard remains busy serving commonwealth and country. More than 1,250 soldiers and airmen remain deployed overseas in areas like Africa, the Middle East and Germany. Here at home, we’ve been supporting security efforts such as the Presidential Inauguration and the certification of the election results at the U.S. Capitol. We are proud of the work our Guard members are doing in service to all of us.
And of course, we are also proud of our veterans. Thank you for all you have done for our country, and continue to do as members of our communities. You deserve all the good that comes your way, including the benefits you have earned while in uniform.
The beginning of a new year is always a great time for us to remind veterans to apply for those federal health care and state benefits by visiting your local county director of veterans affairs or area veteran service officer.
This service is free -- just make sure you have your military discharge documents in hand. If you have difficulty finding that paperwork, don’t hesitate to reach out to DMVA by calling toll-free 800-547-2838 or e-mailing: RA-REQ@pa.gov. We are always happy to assist.
I look forward to bringing you more good news throughout the year as the DMVA continues our work of “One Team, One Mission” in support of Pennsylvania service members, veterans and their families.
Gratefully,
Brig. Gen. John R. Pippy
Pennsylvania’s acting adjutant general and head of the DMVA
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DMVA Assists Veterans With More Than $1 Billion in Claims for 2024, Stresses Importance of Having Military Paperwork in Order |
For the second year in a row, the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA) helped veterans secure more than $1 billion in compensation and pension benefits earned through their service. Benefits have expanded in recent years, including the Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act, making it even more important for veterans to connect with DMVA and receive the benefits they have earned while in uniform... |
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DMVA Applauds Shapiro Administration Announcement Making More Veterans Eligible for Free Birth and Death Certificates |
More veterans and their families are now eligible for free birth and death certificates from the Pennsylvania Department of Health (DOH), as of Dec. 30, 2024. The change, part of Act 137 of 2024, expands the veteran fee waiver for applications to include all veterans who were discharged or released from service under conditions other than dishonorable... |
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DMVA Pleased to Share VA Announcement Regarding Increase in Veterans Disability Compensation Rates in 2025 |
Per an announcement by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), beginning Jan. 1, 2025, all veterans’ disability compensation rates have increased by 2.5% to match adjustments made to Social Security benefits. This increase impacts disability benefits, clothing allowance, dependency and indemnity compensation (DIC), as well as other VA assistance programs...
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New Year Sees Greater Opportunity Available for Disabled Veterans’ Real Estate Tax Exemption |
With the new year came a new presumptive need level for the Disabled Veterans’ Real Estate Tax Exemption, which was adjusted upward to $114,637 on Jan. 1, 2025. One-hundred percent permanently disabled wartime veterans and their surviving spouses who were previously denied due to financial need are encouraged to re-apply, as a new state law recently went into effect that excludes all veterans benefits from the income assessment as well...
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Busy Start to 2025 at Hollidaysburg Veterans’ Home |
The Hollidaysburg Veterans' Home (HVH) held New Year’s Eve parties for each nursing unit and building, which included a variety of refreshments and live music performances... |
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A Salute to BVH Residents Milestone January Birthdays |
Turning 100 is much more than another year added to the calendar, it’s a testament to resilience and a wealth of life experiences! Happy 100th birthday to...
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30th Anniversary of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Celebrated at SWVC |
A group of students and faculty from the University of Pittsburgh visited Southwestern Veterans’ Center on Jan. 20 for a morning of playing cards and board games with the residents in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day... |
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Southwestern Veterans’ Center Resident Celebrates 102nd Birthday |
The Southwestern Veterans’ Center (SWVC) celebrated the 102nd birthday of resident Catherine (Eldredge) Gentilcore, aka “Kitty”, who was born Dec. 8, 1922 in Laconia, NH...
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Southwestern Veterans’ Center Resident Celebrates 105th Birthday |
The Southwestern Veterans’ Center celebrated the 105th birthday of resident Carrie Branch, born in Sylvania, GA, on Dec. 27, 1919. She was the third of nine children... |
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New Weekly AA Meeting Starting at FTIG |
A new Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) meeting is starting at Fort Indiantown Gap, Annville, PA, every Wednesday at noon beginning on Jan. 29, 2025. This meeting will be held at the Post Chapel (Bldg. 0-38) and is open to all National Guard (Army and Air), Reserve and active-duty personnel as well as any civilian employees... |
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Showcasing the PA National Guard Army Cyber Team and the Cyber Shield National Level Cyber Exercise |
The Pennsylvania National Guard Army Cyber Team hosted the 2025 Cyber Shield Initial Planning Conference in early January at the Fort Indiantown Gap, Keystone Conference Center. Brig. Gen. John Pippy, Pennsylvania’s acting adjutant general and Head of the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA), welcomed over 100 exercise participants and planners from across the country that came to the national level cyber planning event...
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PA National Guard Soldiers Honored at Departure Ceremony |
On Jan. 4, a departure ceremony was conducted at Fort Indiantown Gap to honor the Pennsylvania National Guard soldiers from the 528th Finance Company, 213th Regional Support Group as they prepared to leave for a yearlong deployment...
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Heartwarming Moment for the PAARNG at the PA Farm Show |
The Pennsylvania Army National Guard’s (PAARNG) positive impact on our community was highlighted at this year’s annual Pennsylvania Farm Show...
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ROM of the Year – 171st ARW |
U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Alex Wagner has been named the 2024 Retention Manager of the Year for the Pennsylvania Air National Guard, marking his second consecutive win, thanks to his unwavering commitment to supporting airmen at the 171st Air Refueling Wing. With a diverse background in security forces and recruitment, Wagner excels in his current role by managing responsibilities like education benefits, career changes, and personnel tracking, often collaborating with peers to maximize effectiveness... |
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The Year of Mission Ready Airmen – 171st ARW |
The 171st Air Refueling Wing is fully embracing the Air Force's Mission-Ready Airmen (MRA) initiative, which encourages airmen to develop skills beyond their primary roles to ensure readiness amid evolving global challenges. The wing has actively implemented MRA through innovative solutions, such as boom operators assisting in the command post and personnel from various fields helping with kitchen duties, ensuring mission continuity during shortages and exercises... |
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Farm Show Military Appreciation Day 2025 |
On Jan. 9, 2025, the Department of Agriculture and Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA) partnered on Service Members, Veterans and Their Families Day at the 109th Pennsylvania Farm Show. Veterans had the opportunity to visit the DMVA’s Outreach Van where they could learn from accredited veteran service officers about the benefits and services available to them. |
View event photos
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Get to Know Us – Programs, Initiatives, Reintegration and Outreach (PIRO) Part 1: Programs & Challenges |
Ever feel like people just don’t get you? We feel it too. In the big kaleidoscope of “veterans services” where does the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA) fit in? We asked our Executive Director of Veteran Programs and Services, Keith Graham, to break it down in this episode of ‘Get to Know Us’. |
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Get to Know Us – PIRO Part 2: Initiatives |
With nearly 700,000 veterans in PA, we here at the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA) need to get creative when it comes to outreach. It takes a mix of platforms and programs to ensure veterans are aware of their earned benefits. Find out a few ways we communicate in this episode of 'Get to Know Us.' |
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Get to Know Us – PIRO Part 3: Reintegration & Outreach |
Supporting veterans as they transition from military service to civilian life is critical to their success. Ensuring we have trained accredited veteran service officers throughout the commonwealth to assist at no cost in this transition is one of our pillars at the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA). Find out how we support reintegration in this episode of ‘Get to Know Us.’ |
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Follow our DMVA Instagram Page! |
Have you heard? The Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA) recently launched an Instagram page. Follow us @PA.DMVA for the latest news, updates, and resources for veterans and service members across the commonwealth! |
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KSCA Welcomes Class 25-1 |
On Jan. 12, 2025, the Keystone State ChalleNGe Academy (KSCA) welcomed the newest class of cadets, Class 25-1. The academy brought in 58 young adults to start this challenging yet rewarding program. The candidates started strong and motivated and progressed quickly toward the crossover ceremony to officially become cadets... |
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The Pennsylvania Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee: Championing Support for Veterans and Emergency Responders |
The Pennsylvania Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness (VAEP) Committee plays a vital role in addressing the needs of veterans and emergency responders throughout the commonwealth. Active in both the Pennsylvania House of Representatives and Senate, the committee focuses on critical issues such as benefits for commonwealth veterans, veterans homes, Pennsylvania National Guard, and ensuring robust support for first responders... |
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Important Updates on Veterans and Military Benefits: 2025 Compensation Rates and the Rudisill Decision |
Veterans and their families have two major updates to look forward to in 2025. These changes reflect ongoing efforts to enhance benefits and support those who have served... |
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DYK?: Eastern Regal Fritillary Butterfly |
Did you know that Fort Indiantown Gap is home to the only population of Eastern Regal Fritillary Butterfly in the United States? One of the roles of the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs Bureau of Environmental Management, Wildlife Office department is to ensure the protection of the butterfly’s natural habitat in cooperation with ZooAmerica to reintroduce butterflies to different regions of Pennsylvania. Free tours will be given on select dates in 2025 to view the butterfly area. Registration on the Isportsman website is required. |
Register Here |
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Events |
2025 events coming soon!
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