DMVA Digest
A publication of Pennsylvania's Department of Military and Veterans Affairs
  March 1, 2017

  DMVA Surveys

Please Complete the DMVA Digest Survey:

The Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs wants to hear from you! We have compiled a very short survey to learn what you like about the weekly DMVA Digest. Thank you to the many people who have already completed the survey. Your feedback will help us to make the Digest an even better resource for all Pennsylvanians in the veterans community. If you have not yet completed the survey, there is still time. The five-questions don’t take long to answer. Please click below to begin. 

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  Around the State

New Resource For Pennsylvania Veteran Farmers Goes Live:

Interested in an on-farm or agribusiness apprenticeship or internship? Or resources for veterans/Guard/Reserve members planning a future in agriculture:
Troops to Tractors, the Pennsylvania Veteran Farming Project, invites you to visit its new website,www.troopstotractors.org. Whether you’ve completed your military service and continue to serve by feeding your community, or are a transitioning service, guard or reserve member with dreams to farm, you’ll find resources. This organization is based in Westmoreland County but serves veterans throughout Pennsylvania.

PA WWII pilot repatriated in 2016 to be inducted into Hall of Valor:

Capt. Arthur Halfpapp, a WWII pilot and Steelton, PA native will be inducted into the Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Hall & Museum’s, Joseph A. Dugan Jr. Hall of Valor in Pittsburgh (Allegheny County) March 26. The hall honors nearly 700 Pennsylvania veterans, living and deceased, for demonstrating valor “above and beyond the call of duty” in action against the enemy. Read more. 

Banking and Securities Department Publishes Financial Field Manual for Military and Veterans:

To help mark Military Saves Week, Feb.-March 4, 2017, the PA Department of Banking and Securities has published a personal finance guide designed to serve all current or former members of the military. The "Financial Field Manual" also contains information especially important for Pennsylvania residents who joined the U.S. Armed Forces after 2006 or will do so before the end of 2017. The "Financial Field Manual" can be downloaded for free from the department'swebsite.

Human Engineering Research Laboratories and University of Pittsburgh Research Study:

The research study aims to find out what assistive mobility devices you currently use and what you think about devices that may be available in the future. The results of this study will be used to guide future research and development efforts. The study consists of a short survey which may be completed online. Participants must be 18 years of age or older and use one or more assistive devices for mobility such as a cane, walker, manual wheelchair, power wheelchair, scooter, or lower extremity prosthesis. Following completion of the questionnaire you may choose to be entered into a drawing to win $100.Access the questionnaire.

Make a difference! Join the PA Mental Health Planning Council:

The Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services' (OMHSAS) Mental Health Planning Council is currently accepting applications for new members! To be considered for the membership term starting in July 2017, please complete and return the attached application by March 31, 2017. For more information about the OMHSAS Mental Health Planning Council, visithttp://www.PARecovery.org or contact [email protected]. Individuals interested in applying for membership are encouraged to attend the March 2, 2017 meeting of the Mental Health Planning Council in Mechanicsburg, PA (Cumberland County).

inducted into Hall of Valor:

Capt. Arthur Halfpapp, a WWII pilot and Steelton, PA native will be inducted into the Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Hall & Museum’s, Joseph A. Dugan Jr. Hall of Valor in Pittsburgh (Allegheny County) March 26. The hall honors nearly 700 Pennsylvania veterans, living and deceased, for demonstrating valor “above and beyond the call of duty” in action against the enemy. Read more.

PBS Documentary - U.S. Armed Forces:

Blink Films is currently producing a new documentary season for PBS. The six-episode series is called "We’ll Meet Again" and will follow individuals on a journey to be reunited with someone from their past who they have lost touch with. In one episode of the series the producers would like to celebrate men and women serving in the U.S. Armed Forces from WWII to today, by telling stories of sacrifice and achievement and reuniting them with someone they may have lost touch with. If you have any questions regarding this series, please contact Alice Smith at 1-888-487-2771 or [email protected]

  National News

Department of Veterans Affairs 2017 Adaptive Sports Grant:

The Department of Veterans Affairs 2017 Adaptive Sports Grant application period is open and will close at 11:59 pm EST on April 21, 2017. The ASG application package is posted and submitted through http://www.grants.gov/. The Opportunity Number for this grant is VA-ASG-2018-01. The FY2017 Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA), Instructions for Application, VA Form 10096, VA Form 10091, FAQ's, and the Admin and Financial Review Questionnaire can be found here. The Admin and Financial Review Questionnaire is required to be submitted as part of the ASG Program grant application. If you have any questions regarding the grant or application process, please refer to the instructions and FAQ's on the VA's website.

Farmer Veteran Fellowship Fund is now Accepting Applications:

Farmer Veteran Coalition (FVC), a national nonprofit organization that assists military veterans embarking on careers in agriculture, announced the Farmer Veteran Fellowship Fund is now accepting applications for the 2017 award cycle. The Farmer Veteran Fellowship Fund is the largest grant program in the country that provides direct assistance to veterans in agriculture and has awarded more than $1 million since it was established in 2011. The application deadline is March 20, 2017. Read more.

Red Cross Launches Hero Care App:

This free app is designed to help members of the military, veterans and their families identify and access both emergency and no-emergency Red Cross services from anywhere in the world. You can also access non-emergency behavioral health assistance and free local workshops. The Hero Care App is available to download free in app stores or by texting GETHEROCARE to 90999.

  PA National Guard

Project Beacon Registration Open:

Easter Seals Western and Central PA and the Pennsylvania National Guard Child and Youth Program are excited to offer two Project Beacon Spring Respite Weekends for children of current service members and veterans. The weekends will be filled with fun consisting of group games, a climbing wall and zip line, arts and crafts, paddle boats, fishing, archery, and bonfires. The 2017 dates are: March 31-April 2 in Millville, PA (Columbia County); and May 5-7 in Rockwood, PA (Somerset County). This camp is open to children with or without disabilities/special needs. Registrations will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. If you have any questions about the camp or registration, please contact Ginny Anderson at 717-741-3891, ext. 4102 or[email protected]

  Employment Opportunities

This listing is offered as a resource to both Pennsylvania's veterans and businesses that seek to employ veterans. The DMVA has not investigated the positions being offered or the businesses listed, and does not warrant or guarantee either the availability or the terms and conditions of the positions listed. Please contact the employers represented in this listing directly. To have an employment opportunity listed please email: [email protected]

Hiring Our Heroes Philadelphia Flyers Hiring Expo:

March 28, 2017, 9:30 a.m.-2 p.m. 
Wells Fargo Center, 3601 S. Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19148 (Philadelphia County) 
Website 
This hiring fair will feature networking opportunities and workshops tailored to veteran job seekers, active duty military members, guard and reserve members, and military spouses. Participants are eligible to receive up to two free tickets for that evening's game between the Philadelphia Flyers and Ottawa Senators.

J.B. Hunt Is Hiring Truck Drivers All Across Pennsylvania:

With career opportunities at over 300 locations nationwide, J.B. Hunt understands the value a military background brings to our mission. In 2014, they announced a company-wide commitment to hire 10,000 U.S. military veterans by the year 2020. They continue to honor that pledge, and today nearly one in five employees at J.B. Hunt is a military veteran. Click here for opportunities in Pennsylvania.

Joint Apprenticeship Journeymen (JAC) Training Program:

The United Union of Roofers, Waterproofers and Allied Workers Local #37 Joint Apprenticeship Committee will accept applications and test candidates for an apprenticeship program. Applications are taken at the JAC Training Center located at 230 Lincoln Avenue, Bellevue, PA 15202 (Allegheny County), Monday through Friday, 8-11 a.m. Application deadline is March 25, 2017 for the June 2017 class.

Lower Paxton Township Police Officer Vacancy:

The Lower Paxton Township Police Department (Dauphin County) is now accepting applications for the position of police officer. Preliminary applications and all accompanying documentation for the position of police officer may be obtained at the department's website. Interested applicants must return a completed application form to the Lower Paxton Township Police Department along with a non-refundable $35 fee payable by check or money order to the Lower Paxton Township Police Department no later than: Friday, March 10, 2017 at 4 p.m. A physical agility test will take place on Saturday, March 25, 2017, beginning at 8 a.m. Applicants successfully passing the physical fitness test will be eligible to report on Sunday, March 26, 2017 at 9 a.m., for registration for the written exam, to begin at 10 a.m.

PODS Delivery Driver Opening:

As an industry leader in the transportation and logistics industry, PODS Enterprises LLC offers a variety of delivery jobs with stability and opportunities for you to grow and reap the benefits of performance. As a Driver Team Member with PODS Enterprises LLC, you will be responsible for delivery and pickup of containers to and/or from customer locations. You will also work to provide an effective and incident free delivery or pickup experience of a container while maintaining excellent rapport with our customers. To learn more and apply click here.

Sales and Marketing Representative:

Green Building Technologies is looking for veterans for a new and innovative building materials company. Current hiring focus is in Pennsylvania. Veterans can live anywhere and work from home. Requires no experience selling. Commissions are 25 percent of gross sales. Please forward a current resume and cover letter by email to Sean Holman at [email protected]. Please write Valor Resume in the subject line.

Secretary Davin Attends Celebration at Adaptimmune Therapeutics, Highlighting 110 New Jobs and Governor Wolf’s Plan for Job Creation in the 2017-18 Budget:

Department of Community and Economic Development Secretary Dennis Davin provided remarks at a ribbon cutting event for Adaptimmune Therapeutics, a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company that committed to the creation of 110 new, full-time jobs through a 2015 project with the Governor’s Action Team.Read more.

Starting or Growing a Veteran-Owned Business:

March 23-24, 2017, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. 
Chatham University, Mellon Board Room, Woodland Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15232 (Allegheny County) 
POC: 412-395-6560 ext. 107 or [email protected] 
Boots to Business Reboot is a two-step training program that provides participants an overview of business ownership as a career vocation, an outline and knowledge on the components of a business plan, a practical exercise in opportunity recognition, and an introduction to available public and private sector resources. Learn more.

Veterans Job Fair:

March 23, 2017, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. 
Heinz Field, 100 Art Rooney Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15212 (Allegheny County) 
Website 
Registration is required.

  Veteran Events

This listing is offered as a service to individuals and organizations to promote their veteran and military-oriented events being held in Pennsylvania. The information is taken directly from emailed submissions from requestors. DMVA is not responsible for incorrect information submitted. Please send details on events to [email protected] and include the following key pieces of information: 1. Name of event, 2. Date of event, 3. Time of event, 4. Address of event, 5. County of event, 6. Event website, 7. Point of contact name, 8. POC phone number, 9. POC email address, and 10. Additional details/coordinating instructions (fees, pre-registration, etc.)

Pennsylvania Soldiers' & Sailors' Home Advisory Council Meeting:

March 9, 2017, 9-11 a.m. 
Pennsylvania Soldiers' & Sailors' Home, 560 E. 3rd St., Erie, PA 16507 (Erie County) 
website

Central Pennsylvania Vietnam Round Table:

March 9, 2017, 7:30 p.m. 
Vietnam Veterans of America, Michael Novosel MOH Chapter 542, 8000 Derry Street, Harrisburg, PA 17111 (Dauphin County) 
Website 
POC: Richard Burton 717-545-2336 or [email protected]

DMVA Outreach Team/Enon Tabernacle Church, Men Know Your Numbers:

March 11, 2017, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. 
Enon Tabernacle Church, 2800 W. Cheltenham Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19150 (Philadelphia County) 
POC: Rev. Leroy Miles at 215 276-4200 or [email protected]

Representative Leanne Krueger-Brankey Veterans Outreach:

March 16, 2017, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. 
Representative Krueger-Braneky's Office, 701 East MacDade Blvd., Folsom, PA 19033 (Delaware County) 
Website 
POC: Heather Boyd 610-534-6880 or [email protected]

Lower Southampton Township 6th Annual Veterans Muster:

March 18, 2017, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. 
Neshaminy Activities Center, 1842 Brownsville Road, Feasterville-Trevose, PA 19053 (Bucks County) 
Website 
POC: Karen McFadden 267-342-3747 or [email protected]

Screening of: Memories of the Great War:

April 8, 2017, 11:45 a.m., 12:45 p.m. & 1:45 p.m. 
Lansdowne Theater, 31 N. Lansdowne Ave., Lansdowne, PA 19050 (Delaware County) 
Watch a screening of the new film "Memories of the Great War," which features four descendants of World War I veterans sharing the stories from the war. Coffee, tea, lemonade and donuts will be available. 
Website

2017 Hersheypark Military Day:

April 23, 2017, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. 
Hersheypark, Hershey, PA 17033 (Dauphin County) 
Website 
POC: Kaila Lehr, 717-534-3353 or [email protected] 
Advance ticket purchase price is $25, walk-up ticket purchase price is $30, and free parking. This is a semi-private event. Military and other select groups invited. This event is not open to the general public. Hershey Lodge is offering special military rates starting at $179 – Plus applicable taxes. Receive 20 percent off sites and cabins at HersheyparkSM Camping Resort from April 21-23, 2017. 
For more information and to make your reservation, please call 1-800-HERSHEY (437-7439) and refer to military days at Hersheypark rooms.

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