Message from the Adjutant General |
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Spring Comes In March, But So Too Does Another Opportunity To Honor Veterans |
In March we set our clocks an hour ahead, giving us extra daylight to enjoy the outdoors and all the freedoms afforded to us thanks to those who served and sacrificed. We also ushered in the first day of Spring and began looking to warmer weather and increased outdoor training activity here at Fort Indiantown Gap.
On March 29 we observed Vietnam Veterans Day. Many events across our commonwealth honored the heroism, bravery and sacrifices of Vietnam-era veterans and their families. As the son of a Vietnam vet, thank you to those who took time to thank these men and women for their service.
Continuing our veteran advocacy, we met with James LaCoursiere, national commander of the American Legion, and discussed important issues such as employment, food insecurity and benefits for veterans. Veteran service organizations like the American Legion play a critical role in reaching Pennsylvania’s nearly 700,000 veterans and their families.
On the Pennsylvania National Guard side of things, there are 1,184 members of the Army mobilized overseas. Air Force currently has 88 members mobilized supporting various missions overseas and within the continental United States.
We continue to focus on the safety and protection of our service members by upgrading their resources. One big step in that direction is the addition of more than 600 new or upgraded vehicles which began arriving in Pennsylvania early this month.
As part of a program to modernize the 56th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, it is receiving upgraded Stryker vehicles and Joint Light Tactical Vehicles.
I will continue to keep you updated on all we do to enhance the capabilities of our National Guard and improve the lives of our veterans.
Gratefully,
Major General John R. Pippy
Pennsylvania’s adjutant general and head of the DMVA
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Shapiro Administration Reminds Pennsylvanians That They Can Use Their Tax Return To Support PA’s Military, Veterans, And Their Families |
Pennsylvanians filing their 2024 personal state income taxes can help Pennsylvania’s military personnel, veterans and their families by donating any amount of their refund to the state’s Military Family Relief Assistance Program (MFRAP) and/or Veterans’ Trust Fund (VTF). Donations can be made directly on the state Personal Income Tax form... |
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Help With Records Coordination |
An important step in the transition process from the military to civilian life is remembering to properly record and store paperwork such as the DD214, DD215, or NGB22. Accessing these documents is vital to obtaining well-earned benefits and accessing programs and services... |
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A Little Bit Of Irish At GMVC |
Saint Patrick’s Day, a widely celebrated tradition in Ireland, isn’t just about shamrocks, leprechauns, Guinness, and Celtic skirts. Irish people are known for their hospitality, wit and resilience, along with their love of storytelling. No matter how far away from Ireland they may travel, the ability to share a good tale is part of their Irish identity... |
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Twilight Wish And Forbes Road CTC Present SWVC Veteran With New Laptop |
Volunteers from Forbes Road Career & Technology Center (CTC) provide tech support to Southwestern Veterans' Center (SWVC) residents during their monthly “Help Desk” session where high school students from the Computer Networking & Security Program address issues for the residents with their personal electronic devices... |
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PSSH’s Residents Travel Back In Time |
The residents from the Pennsylvania Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Home strolled through one of the nation’s most historic waterfronts at the Erie Maritime Museum on Feb. 27... |
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March Mardi Gras Celebrations At Two Homes |
The month of March had the residents at Delaware Valley Veterans’ Home thinking Spring as they played Mardi Gras mini golf, made bird feeders with plastic cups and peanut butter and received puppy cuddles from some four-legged visitors from the Lower Bucks Dog Training Club...
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Southeastern Veterans’ Center Centenarian Celebrations |
Nicolina (Nicki) Goryl On Feb. 21 Southeastern Veterans' Center (SEVC) resident Nicolina Goryl celebrated her 105th birthday. Goryl, while wearing her tiara, spent her day celebrating with her family and fellow residents with a catered lunch from Giovanni’s. Goryl is one of SEVC’s oldest residents... |
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HVH Resident Celebrated 102nd Birthday |
Robert “Russell” Stiffler, a resident at Hollidaysburg Veterans’ Home, celebrated his 102nd birthday on March 18 with the help of some friends, fellow residents and staff. Stiffler was born in Strongstown, PA and spent most of his childhood and adult life in Seward, PA... |
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GMVC Resident Celebrated 101st Birthday |
Gino J. Merli Veterans' Center resident George Liparini celebrated his 101st Birthday on Feb. 19. Liparini served in the Army in 1943-1945 where he earned the Good Conduct Medal, European African Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with four bronze stars, American Campaign Medal, two Overseas Service Bars and the WWII Victory Medal... |
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National Vietnam Veterans Day/Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day |
The staff and volunteers in our veterans homes are proud and honored to serve a total of 439 Vietnam Era Veterans: 23 at Delaware Valley Veterans' Home, 64 at Gino J. Merli Veterans' Center, 89 at Hollidaysburg Veterans' Home, 61 at Pennsylvania Soldiers' and Sailors' Home, 109 at Southeastern Veterans' Center, and 93 at Southwestern Veterans' Center... |
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PA SAPR Program Leads The Charge For SAAPM 2025 |
April marks Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month (SAAPM), and the Sexual Assault Prevention and Response (SAPR) Program is proud to host the below events aimed at education, empowerment, and advocacy across the force... |
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55th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade – Task Force District Support To The 60th Presidential Inauguration |
Every four years on January 20 the President of the United States is inaugurated in Washington, D.C. Historically, U.S. National Guard units provide defense support to civil authorities for the Presidential Inauguration, the inaugural parade, and other related events. The Pennsylvania National Guard (PNG) provided such support for the 60th Presidential Inauguration, continuing a legacy that began in 1789 when U.S. militiamen escorted George Washington to the very first inauguration... |
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Keystone Connections Readiness Training Program Helps Raise Suicide Awareness |
The Keystone Connections Readiness Training (KCRT) is a new and innovative suicide prevention program that takes a different approach to a difficult topic than what service members are familiar with. Facilitator-led training allows participants to interact on a personal level with members in their unit who they normally might not associate with outside of a military environment...
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DMVA Employees Recognized For Years Of Service |
Two Department of Pennsylvania Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA) employees were recently recognized by Maj. Gen. Laura McHugh, deputy adjutant general-Army, for their years of service to the commonwealth... |
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Pennsylvania Army National Guard Receives Media Awards |
Several members of the Pennsylvania Army National Guard recently won awards at the National Guard Bureau’s annual Media Contest. The competition is open to all 54 states and territories and our first-place winners will move on to the Army competition...
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Airmen of the Future — 193 SOW |
The 193rd Special Operations Wing recently launched the Ready Airmen Training program to enhance aircraft maintenance efficiency by cross-training personnel in multiple specialties. This initiative aims to create a more adaptable and deployment-ready force by enabling airmen to perform tasks outside their primary career fields, reducing the number of specialists needed for deployments and increasing overall operational efficiency... |
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A New Era of Excellence — 111th ATKW |
The 111th Communications Flight has been redesignated as the 111th Communications Squadron in recognition of its expanded responsibilities and vital role in supporting the 111th Attack Wing's mission. This change signifies the unit's commitment to securing and maintaining essential communication infrastructure in a dynamic operational environment and highlights its integral role in ensuring mission success...
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Pennsylvania’s Finest Maneuver — 171st ARW |
The 171st Air Refueling Wing and the 193rd Special Operations Wing, sister wings from the state of Pennsylvania, execute a maneuver that they do best together – in-flight refueling. In these photos, an MC-130J Commando II aircraft assigned to the Pennsylvania Air National Guard’s 193rd SOW, prepares to receive fuel from a KC-135 Stratotanker assigned to the 171st ARW... |
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Purchasing A Women Veterans License Plate Recognizes Women Who Served, Supports Veterans’ Trust Fund |
As we celebrate Women's History Month in March, one way you can support the approximately 63,000 women veterans in PA is by purchasing one of the women veterans license plates. In December, the Shapiro Administration announced six new military license plates to honor PA veterans, with three of these plates specifically honoring women veterans... |
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DMVA - Women's History Month - Service
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This Women's History Month, we're honoring the outstanding contributions of female veterans to our country and commonwealth! DMVA's Special Advisor to Women and Minority Veterans shares her thoughts on life as a soldier and beyond. |
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DMVA - Women's History Month - Leadership (KSCA)
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To continue our Women's History Month series, here we are highlighting some of the amazing staff at our Keystone State ChalleNGe Academy (KSCA). The KSCA transforms the lives of at-risk teens, and the women who work with our female cadets do an outstanding job leading them through! |
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DMVA - Women's History Month - History
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From the first women who disguised themselves to fight in the Revolutionary War, to the fearless nurses, pilots, engineers, and commanders of today, women have played a vital role in defending our nation. As our Women's History Month video series continues, we sit down with the Pennsylvania National Guard Military Museum Director, Stephanie Olsen to talk about the contributions of women throughout military history. |
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DMVA - Women's History Month - Legacy |
Sound On! As we wrap up Women's History Month, we'd like to celebrate the strength, resilience, and determination of women, who, in uniform and not, have always "served" in the United States military. Looking forward to welcoming the next generation of women service members and veterans. |
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Special Flag Football Program Has Positive Impact On Cadets |
The Keystone State ChalleNGe Academy (KSCA) has partnered with MVP360 for a special program of Flag Football this class. MVP 360 is a non-profit leadership development program designed to develop youth into productive members of society through sports and life skills... |
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Finding A Job As A Veteran In Pennsylvania: New Opportunities And Initiatives |
For veterans in Pennsylvania looking to transition into civilian careers, a variety of initiatives are underway to help connect them with meaningful employment. From legislative efforts to executive action, Pennsylvania is prioritizing its veterans and ensuring their skills and experiences are recognized in the job market...
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New Combined Shop Maintenance Support Building Construction Project |
Construction has started on a new Combined Shop Maintenance Support (CSMS) Building for Western Pennsylvania after nearly a decade of planning. This building will be located at Pittsburgh International Airport near the 171st Air Refueling Wing, Pennsylvania Air Guard Station... |
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