Pittsburgh Pulse
Remembering Their Valor, Fidelity, and Sacrifice: The 82nd Anniversary of the Allied Landing in Normandy
D-Day stands as one of the most significant military operations in modern history. Every year, people from around the globe gather to honor the soldiers who stormed the beaches of Normandy on June 6, 1944. These annual commemorations offer a chance for Veterans, families, and citizens to reflect on World War II’s sacrifices and celebrate the enduring values of freedom and peace.
VA launches MDMA-assisted mental health therapy trial
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs today announced a new clinical trial to evaluate the safety and efficacy of methylenedioxymethamphetamine-assisted therapy, or MDMA-assisted therapy, for the treatment of severe mental health disorders, including posttraumatic stress disorder and alcohol use disorder.
The new trial comes after President Trump’s recent executive order on “Accelerating Medical Treatments for Serious Mental Illness.” The order aims to increase clinical trial participation and accelerate innovative research models and drug approvals for psychedelic drugs.
VA launches MDMA-assisted mental health therapy trial
Get your tickets: Salute to Service Night
Veteran Town Hall
Date and Time: Wednesday, June 10, 2026 | 2:00p.m. -3:00 p.m.
Location: Learning Exchange Building 71 | H. John Heinz III Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center | Pittsburgh, PA
Event Details: Veterans, their families, caregivers and survivors are invited to get important VA updates. You will hear from VAPHS leadership and learn about VA programs, benefits and services.
Attend in person, online via Webex or by phone. For more information, visit: VA Pittsburgh Health Care
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 Resource Roadshows
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Stop by a Resource Road Show this summer at a location near you to learn about VA programs, benefits and services. VA staff will provide information on topics that include chaplain services, suicide prevention, community care, outpatient pharmacy and more. Veterans, their families, caregivers and survivors are all welcome and encouraged to attend.
Not enrolled in VA health care? Bring your DD214 and 2025 household income information to apply.
All Road Shows are 1-4 p.m.
June 22
Beaver County
Baden American Legion Post 641
271 State St.
Baden, PA 15005
July 8
Fayette County
George C. Marshall Amvets Post 103
123 Buttermilk Lane
Hopwood, PA 15445
To find out if you are eligible to enroll in VA health care:
- Call VA toll-free at 877-222-8387, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
- Apply at www.va.gov/health-care/how-to-apply
- Download the mailable VA Form 10-10EZ. Send the completed 10-10EZ with a copy of your DD214 to VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System, Attn: Patient Registration, University Drive, Pittsburgh, PA 15240.
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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
National Flag Day
On June 14, 1777, the Second Continental Congress took a break from writing the Articles of Confederation and passed a resolution stating that “the flag of the United States be 13 stripes, alternate red and white,” and that “the union be 13 stars, white in a blue field, representing a new constellation.”
Over 100 years later, in 1916, President Woodrow Wilson marked the anniversary of that decree by officially establishing June 14 as Flag Day.
You are invited you to attend a patriotic performance by the Erie Philharmonic to celebrate Flag Day on Sunday, June 14 at 1:30pm at the PA Soldiers’ & Sailors’ Home (PSSH). This is a free event, and it is open to the public. The concert coincides with the start of State Veterans Homes Week. On display will be basket raffle items organized by the veterans at PSSH to support its Benefit Fund. This fund provides all the quality-of-life programs that PSSH offers to their veterans throughout the year.
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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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Veterans, Family and Friends Fish for Free Day: Sunday, June 28, 2026
Allegheny County Veteran Services is partnering with Allegheny County Parks to sponsor a Veterans Fish for Free Day on June 28, 2026, starting at 10:00 am.The event will be held at the Kohlich Pavilion in North Park - Lakeshore Drive, Allison Park, PA 15101.
Veterans, family members, and friends can relax and enjoy fishing for free on the lake. Fishing license requirements will be waived for this event.
Food will be available and a limited number of fishing poles will be provided.
Sign up for Veterans Free Fishing Day
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 minute |
