March 22, 2023

DMVA Digest

A publication of the Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs

Exciting, Career-Enhancing Health Care Opportunities Available At The Gino J. Merli Veterans’ Center:

Exciting and career-enhancing opportunities in long-term health care await hard-working and compassionate people who want to care for American veterans and their spouses at the Gino J. Merli Veterans' Center (GMVC) in Scranton, Lackawanna County.

The GMVC is looking to hire registered nurses, licensed practical nurses and certified nursing assistants. Onsite interviews and conditional offers may be made the day of the event. Please bring two forms of identification.

Anyone interested can learn more and even apply by attending the GMVC job fair from 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM on Thursday, April 6 at 401 Penn Ave., Scranton, PA 18503.

DMVA Announces Pittsburgh-Area Veteran Town Hall Providing Information To Veterans On The PACT Act:

The Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA) will hold an in-person Veteran Town Hall on the Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act on April 4, 2023, from 6-8 p.m. at the West View VFW Post 2754, 386 Perry Highway, Pittsburgh, PA 15229. The town hall will also be available by phone to increase accessibility for Pennsylvania’s more than 700,000 veterans – the fourth largest veteran population in the nation. 

The Shapiro Administration Announces New Military Themed License Plates Now Available:

The Shapiro Administration announced new military themed license plates will be available throughout the Commonwealth. Recently passed legislation allows the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) to now offer Pennsylvanians’ license plates honoring military members and their families. Two of these new plates - the Air Medal license plate and the Afghanistan and Iraq Veterans license plate - recognize veterans’ special contributions during their service.

PA State Veterans Commission Meeting:

All presentation materials are posted on the PA State Veterans Commission webpage prior to the official meeting, and open to the public to review. Arrowheads Community Club, Fort Indiantown Gap, 10 a.m. on April 6, 2023.

Keystone State Challenge Academy Advisory Council Meeting:

The Keystone State Challenge Academy (KSCA) will be holding its first Advisory Council meeting on Tuesday, March 28, at 10 a.m. The KSCA was established in 2019 and created under Act 51 of 2018 and is governed by an advisory council, which meets at least quarterly and advises the adjutant general and the Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs regarding the operation of the program. The meeting agenda will be posted within 24 hours of the meeting.

World War II Veteran Celebrates 100th Birthday:

The Hollidaysburg Veterans' Home and the Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veteran Affairs officially celebrated a new centennial. Staff Sergeant Russell R. Stiffler celebrated his birthday on March 14. 

Inside Look At Keystone State Challenge Academy's Second Class:

The program improves the lives of at-risk teens that live in Pennsylvania. For 22 weeks cadets are on a set schedule where they learn in classrooms, achieve self-discipline, and access educational resources.

Let's Be Friends On Social Media:

Join the Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA) on social media and be one of the first to hear about benefit and program updates, DMVA job openings, veteran-related news, and much more! Stay connected and up to date by following us on 

In Pennsylvania, People Gathered To Honor A Vietnam Marine:

What in the morning was County Bridge No. 15 had by the afternoon, at the end of a formal dedication ceremony, become the CPL David John Ortals, USMC Memorial Bridge.

How To Donate Any Amount Of Your Tax Return To Support Pennsylvania’s Military, Veterans And Their Families Facing Difficult Times:

Pennsylvanians filing their 2022 personal state income taxes can help Pennsylvania’s military personnel, veterans and their families by donating any amount of their refund to the state’s Military Family Relief Assistance Program (MFRAP) and/or Veterans’ Trust Fund (VTF). Both programs are administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, which provides resources and assistance to veterans, military members, and their families in the Commonwealth.

Lebanon VA Medical Center Director Retiring At The End Of March:

Robert W. Callahan Jr. was appointed as director of the center in November 2007. He has more than 34 years of federal service in the Department of Veterans Affairs and Department of the Army.

Appreciation Shown For Area Veterans:

Mifflin County commissioners thanked Vietnam veterans by declaring March 29, 2023, Vietnam Veterans Day during the board's regular meeting recently.

Franklin County Organization Aims To End Veteran Suicide:

The PA Senate Veterans Affairs Committee hearing gathered experts to talk about the challenges in fighting veteran suicide, the lessons already learned, and the work still to be done.

WW I Medal Of Honor Recipient Sgt. James I. Mestrovitch:

On Medal of Honor Day, the nation continues to recognize Sgt. James I. Mestrovitch: an immigrant, a Pennsylvanian, a National Guard soldier, and a recipient of the Medal of Honor.

New VA Mission Statement Recognizes Sacred Commitment To All Veterans, Their Families, Caregivers And Survivors:

In crafting the new mission statement, VA surveyed roughly 30,000 veterans. The new mission statement is inclusive of all those who have served in our nation’s military, including women veterans, as well as veteran families, caregivers, and survivors. 

VA Aims To House 38,000 Homeless Vets In 2023, Repeating Goal It Surpassed Last Year:

The Department of Veterans Affairs hopes to permanently house 38,000 unsheltered veterans this year, with a goal to ensure that 95% of them remain in those apartments or homes instead of returning to the streets.

Iraq Veterans 20 Years On:

"These are opening stages of what will be a broad and concerted campaign," the 43rd president said on March 19, 2003, as U.S. troops deployed to Iraq.

Exchange Offers Holistic Wellness Services To Retirees, Disabled Veterans And Military Community Members:

As part of its BE FIT 360 program devoted to holistic wellness, the Exchange is expanding its services, which include optical stores, optometry clinics, dental offices, cryotherapy, chiropractic offices, and durable medical equipment stores.

Higher Cancer Rates Found In Military Pilots And Ground Crews:

A Pentagon study has found high rates of cancer among military pilots and for the first time has shown that ground crews who fuel, maintain and launch those aircraft are also getting sick.

This listing is offered as a service to individuals and organizations to promote their veteran and military-oriented employment opportunities. The information is taken directly from emailed requestor submissions. DMVA is not responsible for incorrect information submitted.

PA DMVA Homes Host Weekly Walk-In Hiring Events:

The Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA) is offering walk-in interviews every Wednesday at five of its veterans homes throughout the commonwealth. Dubbed "Walk-In Wednesdays," the hiring events provide the public a convenient way to explore employment opportunities and possibly receive a job offer on the spot. Hours vary per location.

More Employment Opportunities:

To see a full listing of employment opportunities, visit the DMVA Employment page. 

This listing is offered as a service to individuals and organizations to promote their veteran and military-oriented events held in Pennsylvania. The information is taken directly from requestor submissions. DMVA is not responsible for incorrect information submitted. 

National Vietnam War Veterans Day Commemoration Ceremony:

The DeSales University community, in partnership with the Office of Veterans and Military Services at DeSales, will recognize, honor, and thank Vietnam War veterans, their families, and those who served with or in support of the armed forces. Attendees will hear presentations from Vietnam War veterans, as well as witness the unveiling of a POW-MIA exterior chair as part of the National Chair of Honor program.

More Events Listing:

To see a full listing of events, visit the DMVA Events page. ​​​​​​

If you no longer wish to receive PA Department of Military Veterans Affairs Digest,
simply unsubscribe by clicking the link below.

No subject or message is necessary in the email.
If this message was forwarded to you, you can subscribe to the Digest