Veterans Affairs
Honor Fallen Heroes By Supporting The Pennsylvania Veterans’ Memorial Trust Fund
One way to honor the fallen and pay tribute to those who have served is by donating to the Pennsylvania Veterans’ Memorial Trust Fund.
The Pennsylvania Veterans’ Memorial, located at Indiantown Gap National Cemetery in Annville, Lebanon County, stands in lasting tribute to those who served our state and nation in times of war and peace. This monument is nationally recognized as the largest veterans’ memorial located in any of the national cemeteries.
One hundred percent of donations go toward the upkeep, such as landscaping, lighting, and fountains, as well as needed maintenance for structural and cosmetic components throughout the memorial. Donations are tax-deductible.
Donations can be made to the Pennsylvania Veterans' Memorial Trust Fund online at www.donate.dmva.pa.gov or by sending a check made payable to the "Pennsylvania Veterans' Memorial Trust Fund” and mailed to: DMVA Office for Veterans Affairs, Bldg. 9-26, Fort Indiantown Gap, Annville, PA 17003-5002. Donations can be made “In Honor Of,” “In Memory Of” or “On Behalf Of.”
Veterans Programs and Services
Lickdale Veterans’ Outreach Center Offers Enhanced Access To Important Programs And Resources
The Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA) staff with the Bureau of Veterans Programs, Initiatives, Reintegration, and Outreach (PIRO) have relocated to the Lickdale Veterans’ Outreach Center, a facility designed to increase access to assistance with programs and services for veterans, service members, and their families.
The newly renovated facility, housed in the former Lickdale Elementary School on Fisher Rd. in Jonestown, Lebanon County, serves as a one-stop site for veterans to discuss state and federal benefits with Veteran Service Officers. The center also has space for a variety of community engagement events.
Located just off exit 90 of I-81, the building is fully ADA-compliant and provides easy physical access to those with mobility issues. The facility is slated to open in June, 2025.
Veterans Homes
103rd Birthday At Hollidaysburg Veterans’ Home
Dominick Sanzo, a resident and Army veteran at Hollidaysburg Veterans’ Home celebrated his 103rd Birthday on May 19, 2025. Happy 103rd Birthday, Dominick!
Pennsylvania Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Home Residents Treated To Baseball Game
The residents, staff, and volunteers from Pennsylvania Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Home watched an Erie SeaWolves baseball game from the suites at UPMC Park on April 30, 2025. During the game, their mascot, C. Wolf, stopped by for a visit. Even though it was a chilly day for baseball, everyone enjoyed the game. Many organizations donated money to the Residents’ Welfare Fund for suites at UPMC park.
Ambassador For Peace Medal Ceremony At Hollidaysburg Veterans’ Home
More than 70 years after the end of the Korean War, six local veterans were honored with the Ambassador for Peace Medal during a heartfelt ceremony hosted at Hollidaysburg Veterans’ Home (HVH) on May 3, 2025.
The Ambassador of Peace Medal recognizes U.S. service members who helped defend South Korea during the Korean War.
Anne Suluka, a resident at HVH, was one of the recipients. Anne served in the U.S. Air Force as a Finance Specialist and Supervisor Accountant from 1951 to 1955. She said, “It’s a great honor for me to get this medal, especially after 70 years.”
Ben Chon, a local Korean resident, presented the medals and reflected on the profound impact of their service. “I want them to know what great difference they have made for us,” Chon said. “They laid a foundation for Korea’s success.”
Chon also shared a personal message of gratitude: “I’m here because they were there. My parents are here because of them. Korea is existing today because they were there.”
The ceremony offered both recognition and reflection, giving veterans and their families a moment of closure and pride.
“I hope that their bad memories may turn into a sense of pride,” Chon added. “I have done something good. Korea today is their legacy.”
All Korean War veterans, living or deceased, are eligible for the Medal. Families can apply for the medal on the veteran’s behalf by contacting Ben Chon at chonb815@yahoo.com or by calling 208-602-1511.
May Brings Flowers, Sunshine, Smiles And Reflections
All throughout our six veterans homes the residents know that April showers bring May flowers, sunshine, smiles and a time to reflect.
Every May the residents at Southeastern Veterans’ Center look forward to sitting outside to soak up the warmth of the sun and spending time with friends, family, volunteers, staff and especially their pet therapy dog, Dinky. The residents also know that a fun-filled week known as Veterans Home Week will be happening at our homes and is just right around the corner, June 15 – 20.
“What’s Brewing” At Southwestern Veterans’ Center
Volunteers at Southwestern Veterans’ Center (SWVC) host a regular coffee group called “What's Brewing,” a special program for the residents which is held every other Thursday where volunteers provide coffee and donuts, along with conversation and compassion.
Sue Watson, a very active volunteer at SWVC for the past three years, not only provides coffee and donuts for “What’s Brewing,” but she also brings along Jimmy Stewart, her service dog in training from Warrior Canine Connection (WCC), which she allows the residents to assist with his training as well. As the daughter of a Marine from WWII, Watson has always been deeply connected to the veteran community, listening to the needs of veterans and their families, connecting them to resources, and creating pathways for growth and resilience.
Warrior Canine Connection is an organization that trains service dogs to be matched specifically for veterans in need. Watson was recently named as WCC’s new Area Program Manager and Service Dog Training Instructor at the Pittsburgh location.
During SWVC’s Volunteer Recognition Breakfast held last month, Watson received the Presidential Volunteer Service Award.
Jimmy Stewart, the WCC service dog in training, will be assessed this summer to be matched with a veteran in need of a service dog.
Director of Joint Staff
Six Spouses Recognized At Military Spouse Appreciation Day Event
Military Spouse Appreciation Day was hosted by Amber Snyder – Region 11 Soldier Family Readiness Specialist (SFRS) and the White Oak Vet Center at Mt. Pleasant Readiness Center this past May. Several veterans, service members and their families attended the event to acknowledge and honor the contributions, support, and sacrifices made by the spouses of military service members and veterans. It served as a reminder of the vital role military spouses play in the military community, acting as the “force behind the force” and providing stability and support while their partners serve.
The first official recognition of Service Spouse Day was established by President Ronald Reagan in 1984. Military spouses often face significant challenges, including juggling careers, childcare, and household responsibilities while their service member is deployed or attending training. Military Spouse Appreciation Day also helps to foster awareness and understanding of the unique needs and experiences of military families, encouraging community support and resources for spouses. Military spouses are often the backbone of their families, demonstrating resilience and strength in the face of adversity.
Six spouses were recognized for their efforts, support, and hard work. The event also served as a resource fair where eight community resource contacts were present and provided resource tables of information where those in attendance connected with. DEERs/ID card representatives were also there for family members to receive new ID cards and enroll new family members.
National Guard Counterdrug Schools Play Big Role With Strategic Partnership Building
The National Guard Counterdrug Schools (NGCS) spotlight the National Guard’s role in Unified Action between the Department of Defense (DoD) and domestic law enforcement agencies (LEAs). The NGCS are uniquely positioned at the intersection of the National Counterdrug Strategy (as published by the Office of National Drug Control Policy) and the front-line officers and communities fighting the opioid epidemic. These Schools leverage their highly trained staffs - comprised entirely of full-time Air and Army National Guardsmen - to translate national policy into actionable training plans aimed at reducing domestic drug demand and dismantling criminal drug trafficking organizations (DTOs) operating within the homeland.
The schools are Congressionally funded through Section 112 of USC Title 32, allowing them to operate within the intent of their respective state adjutant general while supporting all states across their region. There are five regional NGCS, with headquarters in Washington, Iowa, Mississippi, Florida, and Pennsylvania - home to our own Northeast Counterdrug Training Center (NCTC). Annually, NCTC trains roughly 20,000 students from across the 19-state northeast region of the United States in drug prevention, interdiction, and investigation.
Unlike the U.S. military, civilian LEA do not operate under a standardized force structure. This disparity significantly hampers their command and control capabilities when confronting threat networks such as modern DTOs. The NCTC coordinates with LEAs at every level - local, state, federal, and tribal - to analyze current illicit narcotics threats and develop efficient, effective training aligned with the priorities and intent of the DoD and the Office of National Drug Control Policy.
Northeast Counterdrug Training Center personnel gain experience in strategic partnership building and collective training, developing soldiers and airmen with real-world expertise that they bring back to their traditional units. Concurrently, the unique military skills NCTC personnel develop during drill weekends, training center rotations, and mobilizations provide them with valuable tools they apply to Schoolhouse training development. This inter- and intra-agency cooperation strengthens domestic law enforcement, the National Guard, and the Department of Defense in their shared mission to safeguard the people of the United States.
PA National Guard Army
PAARNG Soldier Advances To National Best Warrior Competition In July
SPC Robert Ruiz-Rhoades, 28th Expeditionary Combat Aviation Brigade, was recently named as one of two winners of the Region II Best Warrior Competition held May 9 at Fort Indiantown Gap, Annville, PA. The three-day competition included competitors from the Delaware, District of Columbia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia National Guards.
The competition was a challenging endeavor that tested each soldier’s physical fitness, resilience and knowledge of essential soldier skills with events such as land navigation, written exams, weapons marksmanship, and a 2.1 mile kayak and 2.25 mile run. “The 12 competitors represent 30,923 soldiers in Region II.
“I think that is a pretty big deal. If this was intended to be easy, there would be more people here,” Maj. Gen. Laura McHugh, deputy adjutant general-Army, said during the ceremony. SPC Ruiz-Rhoades will compete in the National Best Warrior Competition taking place July 11-20, 2025, in Maryland. The entire PAARNG team is proud of this tremendous accomplishment and wishes him the best of luck at the national competition!
Highlighting Some Of Our Soldiers’ Recent Accomplishments
SFC Denis Mulligan, Health Services and Support Branch chief with the PAARNG G1 Services Division, was recently recognized as the Army National Guard medical readiness Noncommissioned Officer of the Year for large states. “I get to take care of soldiers, and I think it’s probably the best job out there,” said Mulligan. Mulligan helped raise his unit’s medical readiness rates from the 70s to the 90s at his last two duty assignments.
SFC Tyler Lundquist, PAARNG Recruiting and Retention Battalion, SGT Fiona Cuthbert, 2-112th Infantry, 56th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, and LTC Deborah Fisher, 228th Transportation Battalion, recently earned a spot on the All-Guard Marathon after competing in the National Guard Marathon Team trials on May 4 at the Lincoln Marathon in Lincoln, NE. The Pennsylvania team finished seventh out of 49 teams in the National Guard team competition. This was Lundquist’s third time making the team, Cuthbert’s first, and Fisher’s tenth.
1SG Gerald Funk was recently named the Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC) Quality Assurance (QA) Evaluator of the Year. The award was designed to recognize soldiers who demonstrate exceptional application of the Army’s QA program standards and evaluator competencies. Funk served as the QA NCO with 3rd Battalion, 166th Regiment – Regional Training Institute for several years. “Funk’s unwavering commitment to the QA program has set a benchmark for excellence,” said CSM Chad Rhoades, Commandant of 3rd BN, 166th Regiment. This was the first time the competition was held and will occur annually in February moving forward.
Soldiers Participate In Firefighting Joint Training Exercise
Recently, soldiers with the 192nd Firefighting Detachment, 55th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade, participated in a joint training exercise with the Fort Indiantown Gap fire department and firefighters from the Ohio National Guard. They trained on combating aircraft fires by utilizing a UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter replica. This type of training keeps firefighters proficient in their duties and helps to foster and maintain professional relationships.
PA National Guard Air Force
171st Air Refueling Wing Wins Omaha Trophy
The 171st Air Refueling Wing has been awarded the Omaha Trophy for 2024, a rare accomplishment for a KC-135 tanker unit within the Air National Guard. Through tireless sorties, massive fuel offloads, and groundbreaking exercises, they showcased unparalleled operational excellence. This achievement highlights the unit's significant contribution to national security and global deterrence, proving just how vital tankers are to the overall mission.
See full article: DVIDS - News - 171st Air Refueling Wing Wins Omaha Trophy
Mission Readiness Across State Lines – 193rd Special Operations Wing
Teaming up in Fort Indiantown Gap with our Pennsylvania guardsmen, members from the 166th Airlift Wing, Delaware Air National Guard, conducted multi-capable airmen training, challenging airmen with tasks outside their specialties under time pressure to increase flexibility and readiness. This week-long exercise, which included land navigation, ordnance identification, weapon assembly, and protective gear drills, fostered teamwork, boosted morale, and strengthened the wing's overall capabilities.
See full article: DVIDS - News - 166th Airlift Wing completes week-long mission readiness training
Turning Service Into Success – 111th Attack Wing
Discover how the Air National Guard empowers airmen to achieve their educational and career goals! Tech. Sgt. Alissa VandeBunte and fellow Guardsmen share how they've leveraged military benefits to pursue higher education, excel in college athletics, and launch successful civilian careers, offering a unique balance between service and personal aspirations.
See full article: DVIDS - News - Excellence in Action – Turning Service into Success
DMVA News and Events
Employers See First-Hand What Their Employees Do When Serving in the PNG
On May 7-8, 2025 the Pennsylvania Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) hosted a Boss Lift and tour of Fort Indiantown Gap.
The Boss Lift program provides an opportunity to show employers exactly what their employees, who serve in our Pennsylvania National Guard (PNG), do when the commonwealth or nation calls.
The program allows employers to foster a deeper understanding of the skills, challenges and sacrifices of our PNG members. Participants toured several training areas and had some hands-on experience with various simulators.
Boss Lift highlights the value and skills military personnel bring to their civilian jobs and expresses gratitude to employers for their continued support of the military and National Guard and Reserve members in the work force. During the event, ESGR senior leadership awarded members of the PNG Joint Resilience Directorate with the Seven Seals Award.
View Event Photos: https://www.flickr.com/photos/padmva/albums/72177720325987853
PA Veterans: Now Accepting Applications for State Veterans’ Commission!
The Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA) is seeking dedicated veterans to serve as Commissioner-at-Large on the State Veterans' Commission. This is a volunteer position advising the adjutant general, governor, and others on veterans' welfare, benefits, and support.
Term: Veteran Member-at-Large: July 27, 2025 – July 27, 2029
Eligibility:
Must be a veteran with active military service (excluding training) and honorable discharge.
Must be a member in good standing of a Pennsylvania branch, post, chapter, lodge, or club of a recognized national veterans organization active in the commonwealth.
Application Deadline:
June 2, 2025, by 4 p.m.
How to Apply:
Submit a complete application via email to RA-SVC@pa.gov as a single PDF document.
Hardcopy submissions will not be accepted.
For detailed instructions and application materials: http://bit.ly/4kqnwTi
Questions? Email: RA-SVC@pa.gov
Policy and Legislation
Your Guide to Summer Success: Supporting Veteran Students Through The GI Bill®
As summer approaches, veterans using VA education benefits may be continuing their education, preparing for graduation, or considering their next career move. Under the Post-9/11 GI Bill® (38 U.S.C. Chapter 33), the Montgomery GI Bill® – Active Duty (MGIB-AD, Chapter 30), and the Montgomery GI Bill® – Selected Reserve (MGIB-SR, Chapter 1606), eligible veterans and service members have access to a range of resources designed to support academic and career success during and beyond their time in service.
Please refer to the flyer attached as a quick-reference resource for students and stakeholders.
Maximize Your Benefits This Summer
Academic Skills Training: The Warrior-Scholar Project offers free academic boot camps that help transitioning service members and veterans build college-level reading, writing, and critical thinking skills. Space is limited—interested veterans should apply early.
Certification and Licensing Reimbursements: In addition to tuition, the GI Bill® covers licensing and certification exams, including prep courses. This is ideal for veterans pursuing careers in healthcare, EMS, IT, or other credentialed fields. Learn more at VA GI Bill® Licensing & Certification.
Scholarships for veterans: Veterans seeking additional financial support can search Scholarship America, which offers scholarships specifically for the military community.
Career Planning Resources CareerOneStop: Supported by the U.S. Department of Labor, connects veterans to job centers, apprenticeships, and training programs tailored to their background.
Entrepreneurship Support: Veterans interested in starting a business can explore Boots to Business, Veteran Business Outreach Centers, and the Veteran Entrepreneur Portal through the Small Business Administration (SBA).
Important Reminders About Your Benefits
Understand Your GI Bill® Award Letter: If you’ve received an award letter and aren’t sure what it means, a step-by-step guide is available to help you understand your entitlements.
Verify Enrollment Monthly: Some students must verify enrollment at the end of each month to continue receiving payments. This can be done via text, email, Ask VA, or the Education Call Center. Monthly Housing Allowance (MHA) is:
Prorated if classes don’t span the entire month
Not paid during school breaks
Paid in arrears (e.g., your May payment is received in early June.)
In Crisis? Help is Available
If you or someone you know is struggling, call the Veterans Crisis Line at 988, then press 1. Help is confidential and available 24/7.
Summer Fun For Veterans: Find Community And Wellness With PGA HOPE
As the weather warms up, summer is the perfect time for veterans to get outdoors, stay active, and connect with others—and PGA (Professional Golfers' Association) HOPE (Helping Our Patriots Everywhere) offers the ideal way to do just that. PGA HOPE is the flagship military program of PGA REACH, designed to introduce and teach golf to veterans and active-duty military members at no cost.
Whether you're new to golf or picking it up again, PGA HOPE welcomes all veterans—no clubs or prior experience required. With programs in 47 states and more than 340 locations, there’s likely a course near you ready to tee up a summer of fun, connection, and personal growth.
Led by PGA professionals trained in both adaptive golf and military cultural competency, these sessions go beyond sport. They’re about building community, supporting mental health, and finding peace through focused activity. As PGA of America’s Chris Nowak puts it, “Golf offers a moment of clarity—when you’re on the course, the rest of the world fades, and healing can begin.”
This summer, thousands of veterans will join PGA HOPE for weekly rounds filled with camaraderie, laughter, and plenty of sunshine. Many describe the experience as life-changing, not just for the game, but for the friendships and mental well-being it fosters.
Veterans across the country are discovering that summer fun can be as simple—and powerful—as walking onto a green with new friends and a shared purpose. Find a PGA HOPE program near you and get started today.
Fort Indiantown Gap
New Sportsman’s Range Complex Offers Recreational Shooting Opportunities for Military and Civilian Employees at FTIG
Fort Indiantown Gap (FTIG) now offers several new morale activities for service members and employees during their off-duty hours. One of these activities is recreational firearms and archery shooting at the FTIG Sportsman’s Range. The Sportsman’s Range offers National Guard service members and the full-time staff at FTIG ranges to practice their firearms and archery skills. The Sportsman’s Range encompasses Ranges 1, 3, and a 3D archery course, and is located on the east end of Range Road.
Range 1 offers multiple archery target bags hung at various distances and includes a tower for elevated practice. The 3D archery range features a mulch path with various animal targets placed within the woods to practice. Range 3 offers up to 25m for pistol firing and 100m for rifle firing, and a variety of targets are stored at the range for shooters to utilize, using .308 caliber for rifles as well as all pistol/revolver calibers.
All ranges are subject to availability based on training schedules along range road. To access the Range individuals are required to attend the Sportsman’s range brief held the first Wednesday of each month in BLDG 11-11 at 0800. Individuals may also call 717-861-2098 for more information.