Message from the Adjutant General |
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A Privilege to be Officially Confirmed as your 55th Adjutant General |
I am truly honored to address you this month as the 55th adjutant general of Pennsylvania. I am grateful to Gov. Josh Shapiro and his administration for showing the confidence in me to lead both the Pennsylvania National Guard (PNG) as its adjutant general, and the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA) as its head executive.
This position is a privilege that I hold with the utmost respect. I look forward to continuing to work with our service members, families, veterans, and DMVA employees to ensure that we are Always Ready and Always There when our commonwealth or country needs us.
Speaking of Always Ready, Always There, earlier this month family and friends gathered at the Zembo Shrine in Harrisburg for a deployment ceremony for 140 PNG soldiers. These troops with the 3622nd Sustainment Maintenance Company will spend a year-long deployment in the Middle East to help U.S. Central Command and other allied partners with equipment maintenance.
In total, the PA Army National Guard has nearly 1,184 members mobilized overseas, while the PA Air National Guard currently has 88 members mobilized supporting various missions overseas and within the continental United States. We will continue to support our deployed troops and their families, and await their safe return home.
On the veteran front, this month we had some extra excitement at two of our veterans homes. The Delaware Valley Veterans’ Home and the Southeastern Veterans’ Center residents received Philadelphia Eagles jerseys provided by the Pennsylvania Wounded Warriors in conjunction with the Philadelphia Eagles. The residents proudly wore their jerseys during the Super Bowl victory over the Kansas City Chiefs.
While the residents of those homes were deemed VIPs during the Super Bowl, so, too are all of Pennsylvania’s nearly 700,000 veterans. We continue to work diligently every day on your behalf to deliver programs and services earned in service to our nation.
I look forward to bringing you more fun and exciting updates of our veterans and National Guard, and how DMVA is working as one team with one mission of serving those who serve/ed all of us.
Gratefully,
Major General John R. Pippy
Pennsylvania’s adjutant general and head of the DMVA
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Honoring Veterans as We Recognize National Vietnam War Veterans Day |
On March 29 we recognize National Vietnam War Veterans Day, but thanks and honors for these warriors will continue throughout the year, as 2025 marks the 50th anniversary of when the last U.S. personnel were evacuated from Vietnam. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) estimates that today there are between six and seven million U.S. Vietnam veterans throughout the world. In Pennsylvania, this number is nearly 217,000 Vietnam-era veterans... |
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Benefits and Assistance are Available for Blind and Low-Vision Veterans |
Veterans who experience issues associated with low vision or blindness have a number of options for assistance and benefits that can help to improve their quality of life. According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), the leading cause of vision loss in veterans are age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, neurologic vision loss and glaucoma... |
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“Four Chaplains Day” Ceremony at PSSH |
Pennsylvania Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Home held a ceremony on Feb. 3 in their chapel to commemorate the 82nd anniversary of the sinking of the USAT Dorchester where 672 men paid the supreme sacrifice, including four chaplains. This tradition draws an audience of residents, active service members, and community stakeholders to honor an extraordinary example of faith, courage, and selflessness... |
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Celebrating National Salute to Veteran Patients Week: Feb. 9–15 |
National Salute to Veteran Patients is observed annually during the week of Valentine’s Day. The purpose of National Salute to Veteran Patients Week is an opportunity to pay tribute and express appreciation to a special group of men and women – the more than nine million veterans of the U.S. armed services who are cared for in Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) medical centers, outpatient clinics, domiciliaries, state veterans homes and other nursing homes...
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BVH Residents Enjoy Super Bowl Parties |
The residents and staff at Hollidaysburg Veterans’ Home enjoyed Super Bowl parties with appetizers, beverages, and viewing of the classic football movie “The Replacements” to get excited for the big game! Gino J. Merli Veterans’ Center enjoyed boneless wings, calzones and pizza while watching the game during their Super Bowl party... |
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All About the Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program |
The Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program (YRRP) is designed to support the well-being of Pennsylvania National Guard service members and their families throughout the entirety of the deployment cycle. The program connects service members and their families with valuable resources while educating them about the benefits and entitlements they've earned through the member’s service... |
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Another Successful Year Participating in PA Trees 4 Troops |
Recently, during the annual winter meeting of the Pennsylvania Christmas Tree Growers Association (PCTGA), Maj. Gen. Laura McHugh, deputy adjutant general - Army, thanked the members for their participation in the PA Trees 4 PA Troops program... |
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Operation Spartan Shield Send-off Ceremony |
Service members, families and friends of the 3622nd Support Maintenance Company were honored at a send-off ceremony as they depart for their upcoming deployment in support of Operation Spartan Shield...
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Continuing the Legacy of Service – 171st Air Refueling Wing |
A story of family legacy and community service, Brady Ellis is following in the footsteps of his father, a renowned fire chief, by enlisting in the Pennsylvania Air National Guard... |
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New Chief – 193rd Special Operations Wing |
Join us in congratulating CMSgt. Amy Snyder on her recent promotion! The rank of “chief” bears the honor and responsibility of being the ninth, and highest, enlisted rank in the U.S. Air Force...
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Strengthening Our Partnership – 193rd Special Operations Wing |
Our Pennsylvania Air National Guardsmen are continually collaborating on our enduring partnership with Lithuania. The Pennsylvania National Guard and Lithuania have partnered through the National Guard’s State Partnership Program since 1993 and since then have forged stronger bonds and advanced our readiness for the challenges of tomorrow... |
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Awareness and Prevention – 111th Attack Wing |
Every guardsman is responsible for holding themselves and their wingmen to the highest standards, and that means understanding the danger and consequences involved in driving while impaired. The 111th Attack Wing is reminding members to stay vigilant, no matter the circumstances, to ensure the care, safety, and wellbeing of those around them and the greater community... |
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Happy Valentine’s Day from the Delozier’s! |
To celebrate Valentine’s Day, we tell the love story of John and Patricia “Patsy” Delozier. The Delozier’s have been residents of the Hollidaysburg Veterans’ Home (HVH) since January of 2024. John is a Navy veteran and served from 1967- 1972, during the Vietnam War. The Delozier’s have been married for nearly 20 years and their story is certainly one to remember! Let’s hear directly from John and Patsy, as our HVH staff asked them some questions about their love story... |
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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 Cadets Taking ASVAB |
A critical component of the Keystone State ChalleNGe Academy (KSCA) program is post-residential phase. Graduates are followed by the KSCA team for two full years post-graduation. Keystone State ChalleNGe Academy cadets begin working on their post-residential plans early into the 22-week residential phase of the program... |
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Expanded Access to Free Birth and Death Certificates for Pennsylvania Veterans and Families |
As of Dec. 30, 2024, more veterans and their families in Pennsylvania are eligible for free birth and death certificates, thanks to changes under Act 137 of 2024. This bipartisan legislation, signed by Governor Josh Shapiro in Oct. 2024, expands the Pennsylvania Department of Health’s (DOH) veteran fee waiver program... |
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Marywood University Offers 100% Tuition Coverage to Pennsylvania National Guard |
Marywood University is now offering eligible Pennsylvania National Guard (PNG) students and families 100% tuition coverage. This opportunity is made possible through the Educational Assistance Program (EAP) and the Military Family Education Program (MFEP), both designed to help military-connected students achieve their academic goals...
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Legislation to Streamline Veterans Claims Process |
Congressman Rob Bresnahan (PA-08) has introduced new legislation to simplify and expedite the veterans’ claims process. Recognizing the bureaucratic hurdles veterans face when seeking benefits, this bill seeks to reduce delays and enhance accessibility for those who have served... |
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Marquette Lake Undergoing Renovations |
Marquette Lake in Lebanon County will be going through a $13 million dollar renovation for the upcoming months which will impact any fishing plans for the foreseeable future. The Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA) will be replacing the bridge and dam at the lake while also doing some cleaning of the area... |
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Fort Indiantown Gap Hosts Warfighter Exercise |
From Jan. 27 to Feb. 6, 2025, and despite several bouts of nasty winter weather, Fort Indiantown Gap (FTIG) hosted its first Warfighter Exercise (WFX-23-5), since 2023. The WFX’s provide realistic training to division level units utilizing state-of the-art computer simulations to prepare them for future mobilizations. Fort Indiantown Gap has been selected as the site for several WFX’s since the first one was held on the installation in the fall of 2016... |
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