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The original item was published from 6/6/2019 8:50:08 AM to 8/2/2019 12:00:12 AM.

News Flash

Veteran's Affairs

Posted on: June 6, 2019

[ARCHIVED] News from around the state, region, and nation from PA DMVA

DMVA Still Looking For Seven Photos Of Pennsylvania Veterans Who Paid Ultimate Sacrifice In Vietnam: 

To further honor and preserve the memory of our veterans for future generations, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund in Washington, D.C. is leading an initiative to locate a photo for every U.S. service member who died during Vietnam. Please help find the remaining seven photos from Philadelphia County. For information on how to submit a photo Read more.


Honoring Our Veterans With Special License Plates: 

With the warmer weather and longer summer days bringing increased travel, the Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA) suggests an Honoring Our Veterans or the new Honoring our Women Veterans license plates for your vehicles as a great way to show patriotism and to support veterans in need. Read more.


Wolf Administration Creates Suicide Prevention Task Force: 

Gov. Tom Wolf's administration is bringing together state agencies to address suicide in the commonwealth. Suicide rates in Pennsylvania increased 34 percent between 1999 and 2016, according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. "We have an obligation to provide resources and promote safe, supportive environments, so people we serve know that there are places to turn if they are in crisis," Wolf said. Read more.


Hollidaysburg Veterans' Home To Hold Open House June 11 (Blair County): 

Veterans and their spouses looking for a warm and welcoming place to live and who have health care needs are invited to an OPEN HOUSE at the Hollidaysburg Veterans’ Home (HVH) located at 138 Veterans Blvd., Duncansville, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Tuesday, June 11. The HVH is one of six veterans homes operated by the Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA). Read more.


On-Site Job Fair At DMVA's Gino J. Merli Veterans' Center In Scranton Slated For June 12 (Lackawanna County): 

The Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs is seeking hard working and caring nursing staff at the Gino J. Merli Veterans’ Center. An on-site job fair will be held on June 12, 2019, from 1-4 p.m. at Gino J. Merli Veterans' Center, 401 Penn Ave., Scranton, PA (Lackawanna County). Interviews are being scheduled on the spot. For more information, contact 570-961-4407. Candidates unable to attend can apply online at Apply.


Gino J. Merli Veterans’ Center To Hold Open House June 12 (Lackawanna County): 

If you are a veteran or the spouse of a qualified veteran with health care needs, please stop by the Gino J. Merli Veterans’ Center (GMVC), located at 401 Penn Ave., Scranton, from 1 to 4 p.m. on Wednesday, June 12 to discuss the long-term care options available to you. The GMVC is celebrating 25 years of caring for veterans and is one of six veterans homes operated by the Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA). Read more.


Pennsylvania Soldiers’ And Sailors’ Home To Hold Open House June 12 (Erie County): 

The public is invited to an open house at the Pennsylvania Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Home (PSSH) at 560 East Third St., Erie from 1-4 p.m. on Wednesday, June 12. The PSSH is one of six veterans homes operated by the Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA). Read more.


Southeastern Veterans' Center To Hold Open House June 13 (Chester County): 

The public is invited to an open house at the Southeastern Veterans’ Center (SEVC) located at One Veterans Drive, Spring City, PA 19475 from 6-8 p.m. on Thursday, June 13. The SEVC is one of six veterans’ homes operated by the Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA). Read more.


 Around the State 


75 Years After D-Day, Veteran Still Wonders Why He Was Spared: 

Arden C. Earll sat in his wheelchair in the library of the nursing home where he lives and studied the list of men from Company H who were killed on Omaha Beach. “Cowan,” he recited, as if calling the roll. “Crawley.” “Hayes.” He began to cry as he read the names he recognized. “Washburn” - Noel P., his 21-year-old squad leader, cut down in front of him as they came off the landing craft on D-Day. Read more.


Battle Of Midway In World War II Called ‘The Most Stunning And Decisive Blow In The History Of Naval Warfare’: 

On June 4, 1942, just six months after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, the Battle of Midway began during World War II. The battle lasted through June 7. In the end, seven ships sunk and 3,364 men died. Read more.


D-Day Soldiers To Be Recognized For Patriotism, Valor By U.S. Senate: 

Senate Resolution 135, expresses the gratitude and appreciation of the Senate for the acts of heroism and valor by the members of the United States Armed Forces who participated in the June 6, 1944, amphibious landing at Normandy, France, and commending those individuals for leadership and bravery in an operation that helped bring an end to World War II. Read more.


Expanding Broadband Access In PA And Updates To Health Care Access For Veterans: 

A new law that's takes affect next week expands the criteria for veterans who have long wait times or distances to drive to seek health care in the private sector. Also, more than 800,000, maybe up to 11 million Pennsylvanians don't have access to high speed broadband internet service. Bringing broadband internet service to mostly rural areas of Pennsylvania is a priority of the Wolf Administration. Read more.


Firefighter Headed To Normandy: 

Born 22 years after D-Day on June 6, 1966, Nanticoke (Luzerne County) firefighter Tom Sadowski always wanted to spend a birthday in Normandy, France, to pay respects to all of the men killed on the day he was born. This year he will. Read more.


Hempfield National Guard Drill Delivers Goods To Local Charities: 

Thirty recent recruits with the Pennsylvania Army National Guard detachment in Hempfield (Westmoreland County) completed a march with a mission. Packing most of it on their backs, the young men and women delivered more than an estimated 1,200 pounds of non-perishable items to the Saint Vincent College campus in Unity for distribution to those in need. Read more.


Hero Of Brecourt Manor – Richard “Dick” Winters: 

Richard “Dick” D. Winters was born in rural New Holland, PA (Lancaster County) in January 1918. Richard graduated from Franklin and Marshall College in 1941 with a bachelor's degree in economics. On Aug. 25 of the same year, he enlisted into the Army to fulfill a one-year service requirement. He said he had done this as an attempt to avoid completing a full three-year tour if he had been drafted. Read more.


Local Veterans Reflect On Their Service During D-Day Anniversary: 

With so few World War II survivors left, local veterans say it’s important to remember the sacrifice of those who served on the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Normandy. Chester Westgate vividly remembers arriving at Utah Beach during the Battle of Normandy. “When we got over to France... they lowered the front of that boat down and we had to go off into the water and you had (gunfire) around you. Read more.


Survey Opportunity About Outdoor Recreation In PA: 

Do you enjoy spending time in Pennsylvania’s local and state parks and forests and on trails and rivers? Is getting outdoors to exercise and socialize important to you and your family? In its quest to build an outdoor recreation plan that will serve all Pennsylvanians, the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) is looking for public input through an online survey. Survey results will help DCNR and its partners determine outdoor recreation programs and funding priorities for Pennsylvania’s next five-year outdoor recreation plan. The online survey should take less than 10 minutes to complete and will remain open through the end of June.


World War II Veterans Share Their Experiences: 

It was World War II, and young men across the United States found themselves thrust into global warfare, some by choice and some by selection. Three residents at Manor at Market Square, senior living in Reading (Berks County) are often heard sharing stories as they reflect decades later on their service to their country. Read more.


 Across the Nation 


100 Percent Disabled Veterans Can Fly Space Available Flights For Free: 

When Congress signed the John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act last year, 100 percent service connected disabled veterans became eligible for space available travel. Better known as ‘Space-A’ or military hops, Air Mobility Command (AMC) maintains an extensive network of flights throughout the continental United States, Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam and American Samoa. Read more.


A More Accurate, Completely Digital DD214 Is On Its Way: 

The days of having to keep a tidy copy of your discharge paperwork to prove you were in the service could be coming to an end. The Defense Department is working on creating a fully electronic version of the seminal DD 214 document, which would give veterans access to all of their information and cut down on the privacy concerns raised by the current form. Read more.


From D-Day To The Battle Of The Bulge, This Red Cross Member Helped Wounded Allied Soldiers: 

Alice Jeannette McGrath Albersheim was born in Colorado in 1919. Despite growing up during the Great Depression and dust bowl in southeast Colorado, she graduated from the University of Denver in 1939. Later she graduated from the University of Cincinnati with a master’s in public administration. From there she began a career with the Department of Health and Human Services and eventually committed to joining the Red Cross at American University. Read more.


Here’s Why These Vets Are Turning To Yoga: 

Rolf Gates is keenly aware that he doesn’t fit the profile of your typical yoga enthusiast. “How many African-American males do you think there are in the yoga space?” he said. “I’m like the Lone Ranger.” Gates is a former Army infantry lieutenant who went through Ranger school during his eight years in the military. Read more.


National Center For PTSD: 

PTSD is a mental health problem that some people develop after experiencing or witnessing a life-threatening event, like combat, a natural disaster, car accident, or sexual assault. It's normal to have upsetting memories, feel on edge, or have trouble sleeping after this type of event. If symptoms last more than a few months, it may be PTSD. Read more.


New Urgent Care Benefit - Starting June 6, 2019: 

Veterans must have been seen in the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) system or by a VA community care provider within the last 24 months in order to use this benefit. Read more.


Rare Color Footage Brings D-Day Memories Alive, 75 Years On: 

Seventy-five years ago, Hollywood director George Stevens stood on the deck of the HMS Belfast to film the start of the D-Day invasion. The resulting black-and-white films, following allied troops through Normandy, the liberation of Paris, Battle of the Bulge, and the horror of the Dachau concentration camp form the basis of Americans' historical memory of World War II, and were even used as evidence in Nazi war crimes trials. Read more.


Study Aims To Show Why Some Veterans Go Hungry: 

A new study seeks to understand why some veterans experience food insecurity, have little access to healthy food, skip meals or using money budgeted for groceries to pay other bills. With previous research showing that roughly a quarter of post-9/11 veterans have experienced hunger or food insecurity at some point after their service, Nipa Kamdar, a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Houston's Department of Health and Human Performance, sought to determine what barriers keep veterans from obtaining and eating quality food. Read more.


 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]


Colin Powell Promotes Career Training Program For Vets, Military Spouses: 

Retired Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Colin Powell recently pitched a free online cloud computing and sales course for veterans and military spouses, with emphasis on former enlisted personnel. Powell, now a board member of Salesforce, said the issue is "to get many more companies involved with a focus on enlisted people. We have a lot more enlisted people than officers." Read more.


Dr. Neil Patel Discovered That A Career In Veterans’ Healthcare Leads To New Opportunities In Emergency Medicine: 

Dr. Neil Patel serves as the clinical Chief of Emergency Medicine at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System. In his nine-year tenure at VA, Dr. Patel has taken advantage of the wide range of extra opportunities for physicians to advance in their careers. As a clinician who also educates trainees and serves as an administrator, Dr. Patel is able to impact emergency medicine practices at VA and improve the health of veterans in need of acute care services. Read more.


General Dynamics Land Systems Is Hiring A CNC Machine Operator: 

General Dynamics is a global aerospace and defense company. From Gulfstream business jets and combat vehicles to nuclear-powered submarines and communications systems, people around the world depend on General Dynamics products and services for their safety and security. For more information, email Jerilyn White at [email protected], and to apply visit Website.


Veterans Employment Representative 1 (Blair County): 

As a veterans' employment representative 1, you will serve as a disabled veterans' outreach program specialist (DVOP) in a PA CareerLink career center. You will provide employment services to disabled veterans as well as veterans facing significant barriers to employment. Apply!


Veterans Employment Representative 1 (Lebanon County): 

As a veterans' employment representative 1, you will serve as a disabled veterans' outreach program specialist (DVOP) in a PA CareerLink career center. You will provide employment services to disabled veterans as well as veterans facing significant barriers to employment. Apply!


Home Depot Is Hiring Veterans: 

- June 6, 2019, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
- Capital Area CareerLink, 100 N. Cameron St., Suite 101, Harrisburg, PA (Dauphin County)
- Join our Home Depot team in Carlisle (Cumberland County). A competitive pay and benefits package including eligibility to participate in our Success Sharing bonus program. Company focus on learning and development. On-the-job training provided.
- Apply.


The PA Office Of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR) Job Fair: 

- June 12, 2019, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
- Harrisburg OVR Office, 555 Walnut St., Harrisburg, PA (Dauphin County)
- For more information about this opportunity, please contact Jeff Dreibelbis at 717-346-2778 or email [email protected] or Ron Davis at 717-346-2788 or email [email protected].
- The OVR job fair is a great opportunity to meet employers.


On-Site Job Fair At DMVA's Gino J. Merli Veterans' Center In Scranton (Lackawanna County): 

The Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs is seeking hard working and caring nursing staff at its Gino J. Merli Veterans’ Center. An on-site job fair will be held on June 12, 2019 from 1-4 p.m. at Gino J. Merli Veterans' Center, 401 Penn Ave., Scranton, PA (Lackawanna County). Interviews are being scheduled on the spot. For more information, contact 570-961-4407. Candidates unable to attend can apply online at Apply.


Veterans' Job Fair: 

- June 26, 2019, 9 a.m.-Noon
- Lebanon VA Medical Center, 1700 S. Lincoln Ave., Building 37, Lebanon, PA (Lebanon County)
- Any questions, contact 717-920-7089
- Attention all veterans! The PA CareerLink, Lebanon County and the Lebanon VA Medical Center are partnering to offer a veterans only job fair! This event is free. Be sure to bring copies of your resume.


2019 Career & Employment Expo: 

- June 26, 2019, veterans only 10-11 a.m., open to the public, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
- James E. Van Zandt VAMC, 2907 Pleasant Valley Blvd., 2nd floor Main Building, Altoona, PA (Blair County)
- For more information contact: Ken Wise at 814-946-6996 or Nate Danzy at 814-943-8164 x4521.
- Over 50 employers! Bring your DD214, resume and transcripts.


 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.)


Free Veterans' Breakfast: 

- June 6, 2019, 8:30-10:30 a.m.
- Frederick House, 219 North Hanover St., Carlisle, PA (Cumberland County)
- Point of contact: Jeff Hawks at 717-258-1102 or email [email protected] 
- We invite veterans of all eras and services, their family and friends. Dr. Brooke Blades will speak about his new book: The Americans on D-Day and in Normandy: Rare Photographs from Wartime Archives.


Veterans Breakfast Club (Allegheny County): 

- June 6, 2019, 7 p.m.
- Heinz History Center, 1212 Smallman St., Pittsburgh, PA (Allegheny County)
- To commemorate the 75th Anniversary of D-Day, the Veterans Breakfast Club (VBC) with the Heinz History Center invites you to a talk with artifacts by curator of history Leslie Przybylek on Pittsburgh’s role in the Normandy Invasion. They will then have veterans involved in D-Day share their memories and stories from June 6, 1944. The VBC is a nonprofit that creates communities of listening around veterans and their stories. Storytelling events, both morning and night, are held throughout western Pennsylvania. Veterans from World War II to Iraq and Afghanistan share their stories. They are open to the public, and you don’t need to be a veteran to attend.
Facebook page.


Veterans Breakfast Club (Beaver County): 

- June 12, 2019, 8:30-10:30 a.m.
- Seven Oaks Country Club, 132 Lisbon Rd., Beaver, PA (Beaver County)
- The Veterans Breakfast Club (VBC) is a nonprofit that creates communities of listening around veterans and their stories. Storytelling events, both morning and night, are held throughout western Pennsylvania. Veterans from World War II to Iraq and Afghanistan share their stories. They are open to the public, and you don’t need to be a veteran to attend. Visit the https://www.facebook.com/veteransbreakfastclub/>Facebook page.


Legal And Domestic Relations Clinic: 

- June 7, 2019, 10 a.m.-Noon
- Lebanon VA Medical Center, Building 18, 3rd Floor Conference Room, 1700 South Lincoln Ave., Lebanon, PA (Lebanon County)
- For more information, please contact Carla Cyr at 717-304-1883
- Clinics are presented by the PA Bar Association, Lebanon County Domestic Relations and Dauphin County Domestic Relations. Veterans with legal and/or domestic relations issues in ALL counties are welcome to attend.


Millersville VFW Post 7294 Car Show: 

- June 8, 2019, Noon-4 p.m.
- Millersville VFW Post 7294, Walnut Hill Rd., Millersville, PA (Lancaster County)
- For any questions, call John Miller at 717-288-5674
- Fun, music, food trophies, dash plaques for first 25 entries. All proceeds go to Hogs and Heroes Foundation and the VFW Auxiliary relief fund. $15 Entry Fee.
- Facebook event.


Open House At Hollidaysburg Veterans' Home: 

- June 11, 2019, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
- Hollidaysburg Veterans' Home, 138 Veterans Blvd., Duncansville, PA (Blair County)
- Point of contact: Kim Vandevander at 814-696-5352 or email [email protected] 
- Take a tour, meet the staff, enjoy refreshments, participate in activities and experience the comradery of fellow veterans. Hollidaysburg Veterans' Home is operated by the Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs.
- Read more.


Open House At Gino J. Merli Veterans' Center: 

- June 12, 2019, 1-4 p.m.
- Gino J. Merli Veterans' Center, 401 Penn Ave., Scranton, PA (Lackawanna County)
- Point of contact: Sarah Butler at 570-961-4348 or email [email protected] 
- Take a tour, meet the staff, enjoy refreshments, participate in activities and experience the comradery of fellow veterans. Gino J. Merli Veterans' Center is operated by the Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs.
- Read more.


Open House At Pennsylvania Soldiers' And Sailors' Home: 

- June 12, 2019, 1-4 p.m.
- Pennylvania Soldiers' And Sailors' Home, 560 East Third St., Erie, PA (Erie County)
- Point of contact: Laurie Rice at 814-878-4939 or email [email protected] 
- Take a tour, meet the staff, enjoy refreshments, participate in activities and experience the comradery of fellow veterans. Pennsylvania Soldiers' And Sailors' Home is operated by the Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs.
- Read more.


Open House At Southeastern Veterans' Center: 

- June 13, 2019, 6-8 p.m.
- Southeastern Veterans' Center, One Veterans Dr., Spring City, PA (Chester County)
- Point of contact: Jill Alwine at 610-948-2406 or email [email protected] 
- Take a tour, meet the staff, enjoy refreshments, participate in activities and experience the comradery of fellow veterans. Southeastern Veterans' Center is operated by the Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs.
- Read more.


Boots To Business Reboot: 

- June 14, 2019, 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m.
- 411 Seventh Ave., Suite 1450, Pittsburgh, PA (Allegheny County)
- Point of contact: Jonathan Bennett at 412-395-6560, ext. 107 or email [email protected].
- Boots to Business is an entrepreneurial education and training program offered by the U.S. Small Business Administration as part of the Department of Defense Transition Assistance Program. The course provides an overview of entrepreneurship and applicable business ownership fundamentals. Active duty service members (including National Guard and Reserve), veterans of all eras and spouses are eligible to participate.
- Register.


Veterans Family Fishing Program: 

- Second and fourth Sunday of each month, 2-6 p.m.
- Fisherman's Paradise, 1150 Spring Creek Rd., Bellefonte, PA (Centre County)
- Point of contact: Jim H. Lanning at 951-231-8000 or email [email protected], [email protected] or [email protected] 
- All veterans and active duty military personnel, join the Spring Creek Chapter of Trout Unlimited talented stream mentors to learn fly fishing, improve your existing skills, and learn about conservation projects to keep streams and watersheds healthy and protected. Equipment is provided if needed. This is a family fishing program for veterans.
- Facebook page.


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