Pittsburgh Pulse
On this Memorial Day, we pause to honor every man and woman who wore the uniform with courage and conviction. Their sacrifices echo through our freedoms, and their legacy lives on in the hearts of a grateful nation.
Annual Memorial Day Ceremony at the National Cemetery of the Alleghenies
The Annual Memorial Day Ceremony will be held at the National Cemetery of the Alleghenies on Sunday, May 24, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. We hope that you will attend to pay tribute to those who have served, and to those who have made the ultimate sacrifice.
National Cemetery Administration
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VA, non-profits team up to honor Veterans during 'Memorial May'
The Department of Veterans Affairs’ National Cemetery Administration is working throughout the month of May with non-profit organizations Carry The Load, Travis Manion Foundation and Victory for Veterans to pay homage to Veterans interred in VA’s 157 National Cemeteries through a series of events, volunteer opportunities and shared stories leading up to Memorial Day.
The National Cemetery Administration expects more than 70,000 volunteers to participate in memorial activities in more than 100 VA national cemeteries throughout Memorial May.
Non-profits to honor Veterans during 'Memorial May'
VA boosts Veteran suicide risk screening, evaluations to record levels
The Department of Veterans Affairs announced it has set new records this year for both Veteran suicide prevention screening and comprehensive evaluations for at-risk Veterans – two critical elements of the department’s ongoing work to prevent Veteran suicide.
In March 2026, 88% of all Veterans who received VA care over the prior 12 months completed an annual screen for suicide risk. That’s the highest Veteran engagement rate since VA started collecting these records in 2021. Veterans who did not receive this screen in the 12 months ending March 2026 either completed it later or declined the option.
Also as of March 2026, 96% of Veterans deemed to be at risk of suicide completed a comprehensive follow-up evaluation and support plan within 24 hours. That’s the highest follow-up rate since VA started collecting these records in 2021. Veterans who did not receive this follow-up evaluation in 24 hours received it shortly thereafter or declined it.
VA boosts Veteran suicide risk screening
Veteran Memorial Bike Tour
Get ready to roll out and honor our heroes with a fun, in-person bike ride. Whether you're a casual rider or a seasoned pro, this tour is all about community, remembrance, and good vibes. Bring your bike, your friends, and your enthusiasm for a day filled with fresh air and great company. Don't miss out on this awesome way to pay tribute and get moving!
The PHV Annual Veteran Memorial Bike Tour takes place on the Saturday before Memorial Day. This scenic ride starts and finishes at Helicon Brewing and follows the Panhandle Trail. Along the route, riders will pass two Veteran memorials, with a planned stop at one memorial to replace the flags.
Participants may choose to ride the full distance, including a rest stop at the Burgettstown American Legion, or ride at their own pace by turning around at any point on the trail. After returning to Helicon Brewing, riders can enjoy refreshments and participate in door prize drawings.
When: Saturday, May 23, 2026 | 9 am -12 pm
Cost: Free
Location: Helicon Brewing | Oakdale, PA
Registration: Veteran Memorial Bike Tour
Free Military Service Recognition Plaque
Together We Served (TWS) is offering free military service recognition plaques carefully created by military experts, with the highest quality graphics and accurate content to deliver the finest presentation of your military service in your choice of an 11" x 8 1/2" or 17" x 13 1/4" plaque you can print out and frame. Make a beautiful wall display for any Veteran or Family Member of a Veteran.
Claim your plaque here: https://www.togetherweserved.com/formalplaque
 Register TODAY!
Veterans Appreciation Day
Veterans, their families and caregivers are invited to join the Annual Veterans Appreciation Day event at the Abie Abraham VA Clinic on Saturday, May 30th from 10am - 2pm.
There will be information for all Veterans on VA programs and services, food, prizes, a car show, and more - to include a special "Welcome Home" for Desert Storm Veterans.
Mark your calendars to visit us this day. For more information about the event, please call the Center for Development and Civic Engagement (CDCE) at 724-477-5010.
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Get your tickets: Salute to Service Night
Military Share Food Distribution
Please help VLP spread the word about our upcoming June 2026 food distribution events in Pittsburgh and Central PA!
Pittsburgh Military Share - Monday, June 8th at 10AM - If you are interested in volunteering, please email Trevor at armstrongt@vlpwpa.org
Johnstown Military Share - Tuesday, June 30th - line up begins at 11AM - If you are interested in volunteering, please email Kim at portserk@vlpwpa.org
Veterans Leadership Program
More Than One Story: Arts Program for Women & Nonbinary Military & Veterans
More Than One Story is a creative program for women and non-binary military looking to connect with one another and tell their stories.
Join Mission Belonging in a virtual orientation session to learn more about our program for women and non-binary military (Active Duty and Veterans), More Than One Story. This monthly program uses live, interactive online art and creative writing workshops held over several weeks to create a “Virtual Community Center” where women and non-binary military members can gather and experience belonging in a healthy, safe, and connected environment.
When: Tuesday, June 9, 2026 | 12 pm-1 pm (EDT)
Cost: Free
Registration: More Than One Story
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Together We Served (TWS) Veteran Buddy Link
Together We Served (TWS), a military and Veteran online community website with 2.5 million members, has launched a new free service called ‘Veteran Buddy Link’ to assist Veterans who, due to their location or circumstances, may find themselves in a state of loneliness and would welcome the friendship and support of other Veterans, particularly those residing in their neighborhood.
To seek a Buddy connection, all a Veteran needs to do is first register at the TWS Veteran Buddy Link portal page.
Discover new friendships and share in the camaraderie of other Veterans in your neighborhood!
Veteran Buddy Link
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Mindfulness Coach App
Mindfulness means noticing and paying attention to what is going on in the present moment, without passing judgment on it. Mindfulness has been shown to be effective for reducing stress, improving emotional balance, increasing self-awareness, helping with anxiety and depression, and coping more effectively with chronic pain.
Mindfulness Coach was developed to help Veterans, Service members, and others learn how to practice mindfulness. The app provides a gradual, self-guided training program designed to help you understand and adopt a simple mindfulness practice. Mindfulness Coach also offers a library of information about mindfulness, 12 audio-guided mindfulness exercises, a growing catalog of additional exercises available for free download, goal-setting and tracking, a mindfulness mastery assessment to help you track your progress over time, customizable reminders, and access to other support and crisis resources.
Mindfulness Coach was created by VA’s National Center for PTSD.
Learn more and download from the VA Mobile app store at https://mobile.va.gov/app/mindfulness-coach.
The VA Health Chat app allows Veterans to connect with VA staff through text-based chat messaging within minutes. You can use this service to chat about non-life-threatening health issues, request VA prescription refills, schedule VA
appointments, and more.
VA Health Chat is available to Veterans in all 18 VISNs, including in U.S. territories. To use VA Health Chat, you must be enrolled in VA health care and have Login.gov or ID.me account credentials.
Restore 22 - More than a Coffee Shop
Restore 22 is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to providing a relaxing, informal environment for military veterans to connect with each other and with resources that can enhance their quality of life.
To find out more about what Restore 22 has to offer, how you can help, and to see local events, please visit their website Restore 22.
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