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Veteran's Affairs
Our mission is to ensure that Westmoreland County Veterans receive those benefits to which they are entitled. The blessings of liberty have not been won or maintained easily or without great cost. Over the years, it has required the dedication and sacrifice of tens of thousands of servicemen and servicewomen to ensure all Americans can live, work, and worship as they choose.
The health and well-being of our Veterans must remain a top priority of our county, our state, and our nation. We at the Westmoreland County Office of Veterans Affairs are committed to ensure that our Veterans and all Veterans receive those benefits to which they are greatly entitled.
Ours is a gift of service which is gladly shared with all who are in need, throughout the year.
The health and well-being of our Veterans must remain a top priority of our county, our state, and our nation. We at the Westmoreland County Office of Veterans Affairs are committed to ensure that our Veterans and all Veterans receive those benefits to which they are greatly entitled.
Ours is a gift of service which is gladly shared with all who are in need, throughout the year.
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VA Releases National Suicide Data Report
WASHINGTON — Today the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) released findings from its most recent analysis of Veteran suicide data for all 50 states and the District of Columbia. The report yields several important insights. Additional Info... -
The Army splits with a West Point grad from New Castle who wrote ‘Communism will win’
The images Spenser Rapone posted on Twitter from his West Point graduation were intentionally shocking: In one, the cadet opens his dress uniform to expose a T-shirt with a blood-red image of socialist icon Che Guevara. Additional Info... -
Tips for Military Parenting Generation Z
There is a moment in parenting when you realize that you no longer have the advantage, and you now know absolutely nothing. Additional Info... -
Leechburg soldier is home in time for Father's Day
Best. Father's. Day. Present. Ever. And it is NOT available in stores. Additional Info... -
A friend's paw: Veterans celebrate with their service dogs
The Florida-based nonprofit that has partnered highly trained service dogs with 21 local military veterans will break ground in October on a multimillion-dollar dog breeding and training facility in Robinson, Washington County. Additional Info... -
National Law Review synposist of VA Mission Act
On Wednesday, June 6, 2018, President Trump signed into law the “John S. McCain III, Daniel K. Akaka, and Samuel R. Johnson VA Maintaining Internal Systems and Strengthening Integrated Networks Act” a.k.a. the VA MISSION Act of 2018 (“VAMA”). Additional Info... -
Women Veterans Town Hall & Expo, 30 June, Carlisle
9 am to Noon FREE US Army Heritage & Education Center Women veterans and those actively serving are invited to learn about programs and services speak with state agency representatives, and obtain resources. No registration is required. Additional Info... -
10 Father's Day Gift Ideas and Military Discounts
The third Sunday of every June is dedicated to the celebration of dads. Father’s Day is the perfect time to let the special dads in our lives know how much they’re loved and appreciated...(For information purposes only; does not imply an endorsement.) Additional Info... -
Army develops algorithm for the 'perfect' dose of caffeine
Whether you drink coffee or not.... Additional Info... -
Read the latest news from VA Pittsburgh Healthcare
VetText appointment reminders; Building trust, improving access; New leadership Read on... -
Landmark legislation to reshape health care for veterans
WASHINGTON — President Trump signed legislation Wednesday paving the way for a major overhaul of the Department of Veterans Affairs and expanding access for veterans to VA-funded medical care in the private sector. Additional Info... -
White House approves VA plan to offer mental health care for transitioning servicemembers
The White House approved a plan for three federal agencies to provide more mental health services to servicemembers transitioning from the military, a population at increased risk for suicide, the Department of Veterans Affairs announced Thursday. Additional Info... -
Murrysville golf tournament will benefit military charity Operation Homefront
The 27th annual Spring Golf Classic, which benefits the military charity Operation Homefront, is set for June 6 in Murrysville. Additional Info... -
Understanding VA Minimum Property Requirements
The VA minimum property requirements for mortgages backed through the veterans benefits program can help determine whether the property you’re considering qualifies for a VA loan. Additional Info... -
FEMALE VETERANS SUPPORT GROUP
EVERY MONDAY | 1 TO 3 PM FEMALE VETERANS SUPPORT GROUP WHITE OAK VET CENTER 2001 LINCOLN WAY | WHITE OAK PA 15131 -
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Senate Passes $55 Billion Veterans Affairs Reform Bill
A major Veterans Affairs reform has passed the Senate by 92-5 and is on its way to the White House. The $55 billion bill will change how the VA pays for private care, expand a VA caregiver program and start a review of the VA's aging infrastructure. Additional Info... -
Two veterans launch ventures devoted to hiring veterans
Vietnam veterans Tony Accamando and John Piazza live their lives by the motto, “To say ‘thank you for your service’ is not enough. Hire or Help a Vet.” Additional Info... -
NFL policy on anthem protests splits Pittsburgh veterans
James Reilly, 71, and his father-in-law, John Ford, 98, both veterans who share a home in Point Breeze, disagree on the merits of the NFL’s recently announced new policy on player protests during the national anthem. Additional Info... -
Marine Corps veterans honor their fallen colleagues with run to the North Shore
A siren blared to announce the arrival of U.S. Marine Corps veterans, along with their friends and relatives, who ran the final leg of the Memorial Day 100 Run, which ended Sunday morning at the World War II Memorial in Pittsburgh. Additional Info... -
Pittsburgh-area vets greeted by warmth, handshakes at D.C. memorials
The handshakes came across the generations and through tears that had been welling up since World War II. First came the greeting from the National Park Service volunteer who told Norman Samek, “Welcome to your memorial.” Additional Info... -
Arlington Cemetery, nearly full, may become more exclusive
The solemn ritual of a burial with military honors is repeated dozens of times a day, in foul weather or fair, at Arlington National Cemetery, honoring service members from privates to presidents. Additional Info... -
Veterans connect through writing workshops
Teresa Moyer, 56, of Forest Hills, an Army veteran who served in Operation Desert Storm , grows emotional as she reads aloud what she has written following a writing prompt during a Veterans Write workshop at the White Oak Vet Center. Additional Info... -
90-year-old Crabtree veteran gets honorary diploma from Greensburg Salem High School
Most Greensburg Salem High School seniors will receive their diplomas at commencement next month, but Raymond Patrick had waited long enough. Additional Info... -
Derry history group seeks to place new grave markers for Revolutionary War soldiers
Now 240 years after they fought in the American Revolution against the British to gain the nation's independence, some of the country's first veterans buried in a small church cemetery in Derry Township are being honored with new grave markers. Additional Info... -
Jeannette World War II veteran remembers another May holiday: V-E Day
As Americans honor the men and women who died while serving in the military Monday, there's another important day in May to many World War II veterans, including 96-year-old Joseph Folino of Jeannette: May 8, 1945. Additional Info... -
Slickville World War II veteran still a straight shooter
Andy Rasperger isn't ready to take it easy just yet. He plans to wear his helmet and khaki uniform on Monday, just like he has for decades, to join the Slickville honor guard's rifle squad Additional Info... -
Westmoreland honors its fallen veterans on Memorial Day
Delmont borough Councilman Stan Cheyne wasn't expecting to be the featured speaker at the Memorial Day ceremony at Twin Valley Cemetery in Delmont. Additional Info... -
Homeless veteran transitional housing in Uniontown to open next month
As past presidents of Rolling Thunder Chapter 5 Pennsylvania, Metros and White had both encountered the problem of homelessness among local veterans and wanted to set up some kind of shelter beyond just putting them up in hotels very temporarily. Additional Info... -
Veteran victim of East Deer glass plant closure lands job with help of state CareerLink
Changing jobs is nothing new for Tim Vogle. After spending 12 years in the Air Force and a brief time in civil aviation, the Allegheny Township man in the 1990s transferred the skills he'd honed while maintaining aircraft to keeping machinery running... Additional Info... -
Trump awards Medal of Honor for SEAL who tried to rescue comrade who's buried in York Co.
Retired Navy SEAL Britt Slabinski was awarded the Medal of Honor on Thursday, the most prestigious military decoration for U.S. service members. Additional Info... -
DMVA Digest May 23, 2018
Memorial Day events, employment, Around the State, more Read on... -
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GI Bill Rates Changing in August
Today the VA announced the Post-9/11 GI Bill rates for the 2018 - 2019 school year. These rates will be effective on August 1, 2018. The Montgomery GI Bill and Dependents' Education Assistance programs will see a rate change on October 1, 2018. Additional Info... -
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Family finds Lower Burrell Marine veteran's records after long search
John Bennis' legacy was lost in flames. His family rediscovered it more than 50 years later. Additional Info... -
Trout Unlimited chapter hosts Stahlstown fly-fishing trip for disabled veterans
Judy Niehenke found it hard to hold back her emotions at Foggy Mountain Lodge Lake in Stahlstown. “I had tears in my eyes when I saw our son Ed being lowered from the bus in his wheelchair to go fishing,” she said. Additional Info... -
Making Sense of Your VA Loan Entitlement
Contrary to popular assumption, most eligible borrowers start with enough VA loan entitlement to finance a home of up to $417,000. Additional Info... -
Allegheny County Jail designates cell block for inmates who are veterans
The new veterans pod at the Allegheny County Jail made David Francis feel welcome in a way he didn't experience when returning from Vietnam. Additional Info... -
CareerLink Alle-Kiski, Penn State praised for successes
Things were looking pretty rough for Darrel Diehl after he lost his job. Diehl, an Army veteran from Cheswick, has a degree & history in tech, but was jobless when he went to CareerLink and working against a job market that didn't see him as an asset. Additional Info... -
Veterans benefits scam alert: Beware of scammers impersonating VA attorneys
VA is currently investigating a telephone scam involving an individual or individuals impersonating VA Office of General Counsel attorneys. The perpetrator reportedly calls Veterans and requests money to process their claims for benefits. Additional Info... -
Report: VA care as good or better than other U.S. hospitals
Overall care quality in U.S. Veterans Health Administration facilities is similar to or better than care provided in other U.S. health systems, according to a study published in the Journal of General Internal Medicine. Additional Info... -
Replica of Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall coming to McKeesport
The Wall that Heals, a traveling Vietnam Veterans Memorial replica will be coming to McKeesport this summer. Aug. 9-Aug. 12, the Wall replica will be on display at Jimmy Long Field in Renziehauzen Park in McKeesport. Additional Info... -
Applying for Veterans Benefits Should Never Come with a Fee
Veterans and their dependents should never pay for help to apply for veterans’ benefits, according to the DMVA. Federal & state law makes provisions for accredited veterans service organizations to provide free advice and assistance. Additional Info... -
Benefits basics: Tricare procedures and eligibility requirements
Unlike other military benefits, the Tricare program has undergone a major overhaul. As beneficiaries sort out which plan suits their health care needs — and how much more they might be paying—here’s a look at how it works and what your options are. Additional Info... -
Mausoleum flag holders available from Westmoreland veterans affairs office
A limited number of free flag holders, designed to attach small flags to mausoleum burials, are being distributed by the Westmoreland County Veterans Affairs office in advance of Memorial Day. Additional Info... -
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911th Airlift Wing says bon voyage to C-130s
The Pittsburgh-based 911th Airlift Wing closed a long chapter in its history on Monday as it bid goodbye to its fleet of C-130 Hercules aircraft. Additional Info... -
Education Research Tool Helps Vets
CollegeRecon’s no-cost online college research tool helps veterans, service members and their families find information regarding housing, out-of-pocket costs and military / veteran support programs from nearly 3,000 non-profit schools. Additional Info... -
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New Medicare Card Mailing Strategy
Medicaid is removing Social Security Numbers from Medicare cards to prevent fraud, fight identity theft, and keep taxpayer dollars safe. Read on... -
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Military Discounts at PPG Paints Arena
PPG Paints Arena offers for military members/families---active, reserve, retired. Read on... -
Seeking a career—not just a job—after military service? CASY can help
Navy Veteran Gene Bradshaw is on a mission. Bradshaw served as an NFO during Desert Shield/Desert Storm, leaving active duty in 1997. Now he helps them put the puzzle pieces together of a ‘second career’. Read on... -
New Trump order focused on preventing suicide among new vets
WASHINGTON — In an effort to stem the tide of veterans suicides, President Donald Trump on Tuesday will sign an executive order mandating new mental health options for recently separated service members. Additional Info... -
IRRRL 101: How to use VA's refinancing program
The Interest Rate Reduction Refinance Loan, or IRRRL, allows veterans to take advantage of lower interest rates while maintaining the backing of the VA in their new mortgage setup. Additional Info... -
Pet Tales: Study finds benefits of dogs for veterans
Veterans teamed with service dogs have lower levels of depression and anxiety and higher levels of life satisfaction, according to a new study conducted by researchers at the Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine. Additional Info... -
Camp Lejeune Water Veteran & Family Health & Disability Benefits
In the 1980's, contaminants were found in several wells that provided drinking water at Camp Lejeune, NC. See the flyer for eligibility info, qualifying conditions, and disability compensation information. Additional Info... -
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Troops to Teachers
Learn about Slippery Rock's Troops to Teachers program. Additional Info... -
Military Times Veterans Benefits e-book available now
This year’s Benefits Guide will help service members, veterans & family members navigate some of the changes made to their benefits programs, and provide an overview of other offerings — military child care to moving help to home loans, and many more. Additional Info... -
Veterans eligible to receive free cybersecurity training
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Hire Our Heroes have teamed up to offer training for Veterans in cybersecurity, in support of Veterans join our nation’s cybersecurity workforce. Additional Info...
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FREEDOM IS NOT FREE. WE HONOR OUR FALLEN BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN ARMS. Over 1.2 million soldiers, marines, sailors, airmen, and coast guardsmen have made the ultimate sacrifice to our great nation. We thank them for our freedom and dedicate the work we do in their memory.