Message from the Adjutant General |
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Celebrating Veterans and Their Families |
This November, I had the extreme privilege of attending various events across the commonwealth throughout the month to recognize veterans and your families for your service and sacrifice to this nation.
One of my favorite parts of the job is meeting with veterans, shaking your hands, and listening to your stories of patriotism and valor.
Thank you once again to everyone in Pennsylvania who served in our armed forces, and to all who supported their efforts. The Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA) will continue to honor you not just when November rolls around, but all year long.
Also in November, the DMVA hosted its first Open House in 10 years, and it was a huge success. It was our way of showing the public how we are one team with one mission in support of service members, their families and those who work every day to support the veterans of Pennsylvania.
The day featured live demonstrations, flyovers, displays of military equipment and vehicles, food trucks, live music, an appearance by Miss Pennsylvania and resources for veterans and military families.
We had great weather and an incredible turn-out. I am thankful to everyone who attended, and to all who worked to put together a fun-filled day for the community.
Speaking of being thankful, it is my sincere hope that Thanksgiving brought you love, laughter and togetherness with family and friends. For me, it’s another opportunity to reflect on the great men and women who have served this nation in uniform. If not for you, none of us would be free to celebrate with our families.
Enjoy this special time of year, and I wish you a happy, healthy, and safe holiday season.
Gratefully,
Brig. Gen. John R. Pippy
Pennsylvania’s acting adjutant general and head of the DMVA
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Military Service Branch Anniversaries |
Several service branches are celebrating birthdays in December, one dating back to colonial days while another was created to address 21st century defense needs... |
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Pearl Harbor Day Remembrance Day |
What started as a peaceful Hawaiian morning at Hickham Airfield on Dec. 7, 1941, quickly turned into a nightmare of Japanese planes, machine gun fire, and concussive bombs. Left in their wake were 2,343 deceased United States service members, six sunken battleships, and a lifetime of experiences the remaining witnesses to this attack carried with them the rest of their lives... |
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DMVA Highlights Veterans’ Temporary Assistance Grants for Unexpected Hardships that Come with Harsh Winter Weather |
The Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA) offers resources for veterans who face unexpected financial hardships during the upcoming winter months. The Veterans' Temporary Assistance (VTA) program provides eligible Pennsylvania veterans and their families with financial assistance in the form of a grant for necessities of life such as food, shelter, fuel, and clothing...
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Indiantown Gap National Cemetery to Host Annual Wreaths Across America Event Dec. 14, 2024 |
Tractor trailers full of fresh balsam wreaths will soon be making their way from Maine to Indiantown Gap National Cemetery for the annual Wreaths Across America event, scheduled for Dec. 14, 2024. The day will start at noon with a ceremony at the Pennsylvania Veteran’s Memorial. From there, volunteers will disperse across the cemetery grounds, placing wreaths on headstones and in the columbarium areas...
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Veterans Day Light Show at the Gino J. Merli Veterans’ Center |
On Nov. 8, the sky above the Gino J. Merli Veterans' Center (GMVC) in Scranton was decorated with lights to pay homage and respect to our veterans... |
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Front Row Access at Philadelphia Veterans Day Parade |
The 10th annual Philadelphia Veterans Day Parade was a great time for some of our Delaware Valley Veterans' Home and Southeastern Veterans' Center residents! The residents had front row seats and had a special meet and greet with celebrity chef and parade host, Robert Irvine... |
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Retired Army Lt. Col./Retired Commandant Returns to GMVC |
Retired Lieutenant Colonel Carl Weinschenk, U.S. Army, and a retired commandant of the Gino J. Merli Veterans’ Center (GMVC), was the guest speaker at the home on Nov. 11, 2024... |
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Veteran and Wife, Residents at PA Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Home, Celebrate 72nd Wedding Anniversary |
At the age of 12, Lilian became best friends with Don Donovan’s sister, Patricia. Lilian spent a lot of time around the Donovan’s home. During one dinner, Don kept looking at Lilian; his father said to him “Why don’t you take a picture!” Lilian and Don started dating when they were 17...
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3rd CST Teams Up with U.S. Secret Service HAMMER Team |
The 3rd Weapons of Mass Destruction Civil Support Team (CST) continues to enhance its expertise through advanced training, ensuring readiness for chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) incidents. This mission-critical preparation enables rapid, decisive support to civil authorities during emergencies... |
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Military Share Event |
The Pennsylvania National Guard’s J9 Family Program’s Military Share Event is a partnered-program with local food banks to provide supplemental food to our communities’ service members and veterans and their immediate family members in need...
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PAARNG Collaborates with Academy Cadets During Recruiting Event
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One team one mission was on display when the PAARNG and the Keystone State Challenge Academy (KSCA) teamed up to speak to the Berks County Intermediate Unit director and other high school representatives during a recent recruiting event... |
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Soldiers Return from Deployment
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More than 1,000 service members with Task Force Paxton recently returned from a nine-month deployment in East Africa. The task force, which is comprised of soldiers from 2nd Battalion, 112th Infantry Regiment, 56th Brigade Stryker Combat Team, provided operational security and crisis response operations throughout the Horn of Africa... |
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New Mission Brings Parachute Rigging Back – 193rd SOW |
With the new MC-130J mission at the 193rd Special Operations Wing, parachute rigging has come back to their routine fundamentals and capabilities. “Port Dawgs” from the 193rd Special Operations Logistics Readiness Squadron are rigging parachutes on a near-daily basis to stay up to speed with training missions... |
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Always Ready – 193rd SOW |
Tactical Air Control Party specialists from the 148th Air Support Squadron, train at Fort Indiantown Gap to remain sharp and deployment ready. Tactical Air Control Party specializes in using airpower to drive ground maneuvers and provide lethal firepower on the battlefield...
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All-star Leadership Day – 171st ARW |
The 171st Air Refueling Wing hosted more than 500 students and more than 50 chaperones from 33 high schools from Ohio, West Virginia, Maryland, and Pennsylvania who attended the U.S. Air Force’s All-Star Leadership Day...
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Team Biddle Trains in Germany – 111th ATKW |
Members assigned to four different units from the 111th Attack Wing recently conducted a week-long exercise at Ramstein Air Base, Germany. The training purpose was to empower multi-capable functioning airmen in a deployed environment and included both internal and hands-on learning... |
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Battle of the Bulge - 80th Anniversary |
The 80th anniversary of the Battle of the Bulge is Dec. 16, 2024. Watch this video and hear 101-year-old survivor Benjamin Berry talk about WWII, liberating nations and reminding the next generation to never forget those who served and sacrificed so we can all be free. |
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DMVA Veterans’ Trust Fund Grant Applications Now Accepted |
The 2025-26 Veterans’ Trust Fund (VTF) is accepting grant applications for programs and services benefiting Pennsylvania veterans. The 2025-26 Veterans’ Trust Fund (VTF) is accepting grant applications for programs and services benefiting Pennsylvania veterans. Grant applications must be received no later than 2 p.m. EST on Friday, December 16... |
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DMVA Secures $600,000 Grant for Suicide Mortality Review Programs |
The Department of Military and Veterans Affairs has secured a $600,000 cooperative agreement grant from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to help develop Suicide Mortality Review (SMR) programs in two pilot counties, York and Westmoreland. Pennsylvania is one of only 10 states and two territories to receive this grant... |
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DMVA Helps Veterans Access $1.1B+ in Compensation and Pension Benefits |
Over the last year, accredited veteran service officers throughout the commonwealth, supported by the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, have handled more than 1,100 veteran queries a month and helped to connect veterans to more than $1.1 billion in compensation and pension benefits earned through their service... |
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DMVA New-look Website Launch: A Better Way to Serve You! |
Next month, the DMVA will be launching a new and improved website to better serve our veterans and their families. Be on the lookout for this new-look website and we will be sure to include more information in the December issue of Together We Serve. |
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Keystone State ChalleNGe Academy Accepting Applications for Next Class |
Do you know someone who is ready to take the next step in a journey of academic excellence and leadership development? The Keystone State ChalleNGe Academy (KSCA) is currently accepting applications for its next class starting in January 2025... |
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Understanding Policy: A Framework for Action |
At the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA), our policy efforts serve as a critical framework for decision-making and strategic initiatives. Policies are the principles or guidelines we implement to tackle specific challenges and meet our goals...
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DMVA and PDE Collaborate to Bring Career Exploration Opportunities to Pennsylvania Schools |
The Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA) is proud to collaborate with the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) to expand the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery Career Exploration Program (ASVAB CEP) to schools across the Commonwealth. This no-cost program provides students with personalized insights into their strengths and interests, guiding them toward potential career paths in military and civilian sectors alike... |
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A Guide to Constituent Inquiries |
At the Office of Policy, Planning, and Legislative Affairs, constituent inquiries are central to how we communicate with Pennsylvania citizens and government officials. Ensuring that legislative staff and constituents receive timely answers to their questions is a top priority for our team. Below, you will find helpful information that can streamline the process and save valuable time...
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PNG Military Museum at Fort Indiantown Gap Open to the Public |
The public is invited to visit the Pennsylvania National Guard Military Museum located at Fort Indiantown Gap. The museum is housed in a two-story barracks dating back from 1941 and showcases PA Guard historical items from the Civil War to present day. Items on display come from the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, while other items come from private donations... |
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