The 2026 Memorial Day ceremony at Indiantown Gap National Cemetery is scheduled for 2 p.m. Sunday, May 24, 2026, at the Pennsylvania Veterans’ Memorial. This annual, rain-or-shine event honors fallen veterans and features a keynote address and placement of wreaths.

The Pennsylvania Veterans’ Memorial, located within the cemetery grounds, is the first veterans’ memorial in the commonwealth to honor veterans of all eras, from the Revolutionary War forward. It is also the largest veterans’ memorial located in any of the 157 national cemeteries operated by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

“This annual event, held in this sacred setting, is a fitting tribute to service members who gave the ultimate sacrifice,” said Keith Graham, executive director of veterans affairs.

The Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA) continues to encourage eligible veterans to apply for a monthly pension offered through the state’s Amputee and Paralyzed Veterans Pension Program.

To be eligible, a veteran must have entered the service from Pennsylvania, must have received a discharge under conditions other than dishonorable and must have incurred service-connected disabilities rated by the VA at 40% or higher in each of two or more limbs. Qualifying Pennsylvania veterans receive $150 monthly in addition to their VA disability compensation. 

“The sacrifices made by service members in uniform should never be forgotten—especially when those sacrifices lead to permanent, life-altering injuries,” said Maj. Gen. John Pippy, Pennsylvania’s adjutant general and head of the DMVA. “The state has an obligation to care for veterans who have suffered significant losses, and the Amputee and Paralyzed Veterans Pension is one way Pennsylvania provides that support. Any veteran who might qualify for the benefit should submit an application.” 

 
To apply, Pennsylvania veterans should contact their home county’s Director of Veterans Affairs. More information about the DMVA Amputee and Paralyzed Veterans Pension program can be found here: Pension Program.

National Volunteer Month is observed throughout the month of April in the United States, celebrating the contributions of volunteers and encouraging more people to give their time to causes they care about. Established by presidential proclamation in 1991, the month-long observance recognizes that volunteers are the backbone of communities across the country, providing billions of hours of service each year across every sector from healthcare and education to disaster relief and environmental conservation.

Volunteers and sponsors are a vital part of the Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs’ (DMVA) Veterans Homes and play an important role in the well-being of our residents. These are people in the community that help us run efficiently and make residents happy, most of whom do not want recognition. Some help virtually by providing funds and donating clothes, food and personal care items so residents have what they need to feel comfortable and fulfilled. Others assist with activities and field trips, making one-on-one visits, escorting wheelchair-bound residents to events, reading to residents and much more!

Volunteering not only benefits communities, but also enhances personal well-being, builds social connections and fosters a sense of purpose.

 
Hollidaysburg Veterans’ Home (HVH) hosted a volunteer recognition ceremony and luncheon April 8 to honor and present awards to their volunteers. John McConnel was presented with the Volunteer of the Year Award, and the Service Organization of the Year Award was presented to VFW Post 7689 and VFW Auxiliary 7689 of Roaring Spring.

Who doesn’t enjoy a good game of Bingo? A room full of residents at Southeastern Veterans’ Center’s set out to play Bingo on April Fool’s Day. Each resident was given the exact same bingo card. In unison, they yelled, “Bingo,” realizing the dupe at the game’s conclusion.

April is the Month of the Military Child, a time to honor children in National Guard families.  Unlike their active-duty counterparts, these children navigate a world where the serving parent is both a civilian and a soldier, creating distinct sets of challenges and strengths.

Children of National Guard members face a life of unpredictability. Their parents may be a neighbor or employee one day, a deployed service member the next, activated for state emergencies or called to federal missions overseas.

This duality means disruptions to family life, school and friendships can happen with little warning. These young people often grow up in civilian communities, geographically dispersed from the built-in support systems of a military base. This can lead to a sense of isolation, as their teachers and peers may not understand the quiet sacrifices they make. Despite this, they develop remarkable resilience, independence and a unique ability to adapt to change.

There are several ways to recognize and honor the children of our Pennsylvania National Guard (PANG) members:

1. Wear Purple: This color symbolizes all branches of the military coming together, showing unified support for these young heroes.

2. Take Time: Learn about the experiences of PANG families in your community. Simple acts of inclusion and understanding can make a difference.

3. Learn: Get to know local support resources like the J9-PNG State Family Program Office.

Join us in recognizing the strength and resilience of PANG children, who serve our nation in their own quiet, yet significant way.

This April, the Pennsylvania National Guard (PANG) joined the Department of War and communities nationwide in observing Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM).

Marking its 25th anniversary, this year's national theme was, "25 Years Stronger: Looking Back, Moving Forward." This theme honors the critical progress made in victim advocacy over the last quarter-century, while also renewing our commitment to entirely eradicating sexual assault and harassment from our formations.

Across the force, PANG’s strategy has fundamentally shifted from a reactive posture, to integrated primary prevention. The National Guard Bureau has prioritized deploying civilian experts and dedicated uniformed prevention specialists at the brigade and wing levels. This ensures that prevention training, resources and influence reach guardsmen directly where they drill. Furthermore, to eliminate the fear of retaliation and protect our force, victim advocates (VAs) and sexual assault response coordinators (SARCs) have been strategically aligned outside the immediate unit chain of command.

Sexual assault and harassment are direct threats to unit readiness, cohesion and the well-being of our service members. As we move forward, PANG relies on every soldier and airman to intervene, support survivors and foster a climate of absolute dignity and respect.

April 2026 Observances and Events:

​Pennsylvania National Guard (PANG) members actively participated in this year's awareness initiatives across the state:

• April 7, Wear Teal Day: Service members and civilian staff wore teal ribbons to spark conversations about prevention and signal visible support for survivors.

One of the core components of the National Guard Youth ChalleNGe Program requires cadets to perform a minimum of 40 hours of community service and conservation projects. The purpose is to build character, responsibility and civic duty among cadets. The current class, which started the program in mid-January, has donated 1,252 hours of community service. The group is projected to hit approximately 2,600 service hours by the end of their cycle.

One project they are involved with is volunteering at the Capital Area Therapeutic Riding Association (CATRA). The cadets assist with therapeutic riding lessons for people with disabilities and perform chores around the farm.  Here are examples of the help cadets provide.

Many people face trauma, and here our cadets are learning that helping others builds resilience to overcome theirs. After a rider explained how her cerebral palsy affects her legs, the cadets helped her to dismount from a horse. Additionally, cadets helped with the never-ending chores around the farm. Keystone State ChalleNGe Academy (KSCA) is proud of these cadets and grateful to CATRA for the experience.