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If you know a Veteran, please forward this issue to him or her as it provides important updates, resources, and information. In this Update:
Happy Holidays to All Our Active-Duty Military, Veterans, and Their Families
With the holiday season upon us, I want to take a moment to extend my heartfelt gratitude to each and every one of you for your unwavering dedication, sacrifice, and service to our nation. Whether you are currently serving in the military, are a Veteran or a cherished family member, your commitment does not go unnoticed. The holidays can be a time of reflection, connection, and joy, but they can also bring unique challenges, especially for those who are far from home or have experienced the profound impact of military life. It’s essential to recognize the sacrifices you make and the strength you demonstrate daily. May this holiday season be a time of warmth, love and togetherness for you and your loved ones. May you find moments of peace and joy, surrounded by the support and appreciation you deserve. To those currently deployed, I thank you for your dedication, and our thoughts are with you as you serve far from home. For Veterans, your service continues to inspire us, and we are grateful for the legacy of honor and bravery you have left. To the families who stand by their loved ones in uniform, thank you for your resilience, strength and sacrifices you make alongside your military member. As we celebrate this season of giving, let us remember the importance of gratitude, kindness, and compassion. Reach out to one another, share stories, and create lasting memories that will sustain you through any distance or challenge. I wish you all a Merry Christmas, Happy Chanukah, and a joyful holiday season filled with love, peace, and the warmth of cherished connections. Your service is a gift to us all, and for that, I am profoundly thankful. Remembering our Heroes: Wreaths Across America in Windsor
Last weekend, I was grateful to join the greater Windsor community to honor the brave men and women who served our nation. Thank you to Sherry Dietz and the Windsor Lions Club for organizing the Wreaths Across America ceremony at Windsor Cemetery, where 191 Veterans rest in eternal peace. The ceremony was a moving tribute, as each Veteran’s name was read aloud, followed by the placement of a wreath at their gravesite. These wreaths are more than a gesture of remembrance. They symbolize our enduring gratitude and a solemn promise: their sacrifices will never be forgotten. Wreaths Across America reminds us of the importance of not only remembering and honoring our fallen heroes but also teaching future generations about their legacy. You can find more photos from the event here. Thank you to everyone who participated in this event. Together, we keep their memories alive and their stories in our hearts. Staying in Touch with Friends, Family, and Yourself
It’s easy to get caught up in everyday life and put yourself last, especially around the holidays. As a member of the military, you were trained to put others’ needs ahead of your own, and that doesn’t end when you leave active service. But remember that when you were in the military, you were part of something bigger than yourself, and accomplishing a mission meant relying on others. Now that you’re a Veteran, that hasn’t changed. Everyone faces struggles in life, and no one can get through them alone. To stay mentally and physically healthy, you can’t wait until everything piles up. You can’t wait for a crisis to happen. You have to reach out for support when you need it. If you or the Veterans in your life need support, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) offers many resources that can help. You don’t have to be enrolled in VA benefits or health care to use any of them. Learn more about those resources here. It can be hard to ask for help, but you aren’t alone and don’t have to carry the weight on your own. The Veterans Crisis Line is a call, chat or text away, and it can help with whatever you’re going through: Dial 988 then Press 1, chat at VeteransCrisisLine.net/Chat, or text 838255. The Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs offers several resources to support community partners connecting Veterans in crisis to the best possible resources to help them live a safe, healthy, quality life. By staying in touch with the people you care about, including yourself, you can find the hope and support you deserve – not just during the holidays but all year. VA Proposes Telehealth Copay Elimination, Expanded Access to Telehealth for Rural Veterans
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has announced its proposal to eliminate copayments for all VA telehealth services and establish a grant program to fund designated VA telehealth access points in non-VA facilities, with a focus on rural and medically underserved communities. For more information about VA telehealth, visit the VA Telehealth Services website. Veterans Job Listing
Every week, the Pennsylvania Nation Guard Associations updates its free job board with good openings for National Guard members, Veterans and their families across Pennsylvania and in nearby states. The board features nearly 10,000 employment and internship postings. What are Vet Centers?
VA Vet centers provide free and confidential readjustment counseling for war-zone Veterans and their families, from World War II to the current Global War on Terror. Vet centers are small, non-medical, counseling centers conveniently located in our region. They’re staffed by highly trained counselors and team members dedicated to seeing you through the challenges that come with managing life during and after the military. Whether you come in for one-on-one counseling or to participate in a group session, at Vet centers you can form social connections, try new things and build a support system with people who understand you and want to help you succeed. Who is Eligible to Receive Services at Vet Centers?Vet center services are available to Veterans at no cost, regardless of discharge character, and without the need to be enrolled in VA health care or having a service-connected disability. If you are a Veteran or service member, including members of the National Guard and Reserve, you can access Vet center services if you:
Contacting Your Local Vet CenterEven if you are unsure if you meet the criteria to receive services from a Vet center, please contact a center. Center services are also available to family members when their participation would support the growth and goals of the Veteran or active-duty service member. If you consider them family, so does your local center. Bereavement services are also available to family members of Veterans who were receiving Vet center services at the time of the Veteran’s death, and to the families of service members who died while serving on active duty. Vet center locations in Pennsylvania are:
For more information, please visit www.Vetcenter.va.gov.
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