VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System

“It will change you. Usually for the better. You can learn so much, make lasting friendships, see places others would dream of seeing. Experiences you could only think of. Being out at sea in the middle of the night, in the middle of the Pacific with no light pollution, and you see a river of stars, horizon to horizon, with shooting stars every five seconds.”
-Louis Ozalas, U.S. Navy
Ozalas is a VAPHS volunteer.

Veterans inspire us. In war or peace, all share lifelong bonds of camaraderie. During America’s 250th, we are honored to share the personal stories of Veterans who spoke with us recently for our Faces of Service project.

View some of our portraits in person at our upcoming gallery and resource fair:
• July 21, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at our UD Learning Exchange - https://www.facebook.com/events/2375548302970188/.

One way our whole health program supports Veterans in their journeys to health and wellness is by supporting better nutrition. The program grows vegetables in raised garden beds at The Center for Whole Health and Wellness on our H.J. Heinz III campus for use by Veterans in programs such as Healthy Teaching Kitchen and “MOVE!” If you would like to get involved in VA Whole Health, call 412-822-2119 or ask your provider to place a consult.

Shown are Veteran and hospital es**rt William “Chip” Deyarmin, who waters the garden daily, Whole Health Program Manager Nathan Blakeley, DPT, and Division of Whole Health Chief Scott Herrle, MD.

With the recent heat waves rolling into town, our Veterans Canteen Service (VCS) has set up a hydration station at our University Drive campus. They put it right inside the front entrance so it’s super easy for you to grab a cold drink and stay cool.

If you are visiting us this week and need a cool break, swing by. VCS will keep the station stocked and ready to go.

Stay hydrated out there!

Shown speaking with a visitor to the station is Jim Heckert, VCS chief at University Drive.

“I had no intention of going to VA because there were fellas who were very seriously hurt and I thought, take care of them; I was walking, talking, I’m fine. Then I was burying a co-worker of mine at the Veterans cemetery and a couple Veterans said, ‘get down there.’ So, I went to Oakland and got tested. One thing I really noticed was, golfing in the fall, I couldn’t hear the leaves crunch, or the turn signal on my truck. I got the hearing aids and stuck ‘em in my ears and I said, ‘what was that?’ The nurse said, ‘Dave, you’re hearing stuff you didn’t hear in 20 years.’”
-Dave McClelland, U.S. Army

Veterans inspire us. In war or peace, all share lifelong bonds of camaraderie. During America’s 250th, we are honored to share the personal stories of Veterans who spoke with us recently for our Faces of Service project.

View some of our portraits in person at our upcoming gallery and resource fair:
• July 21, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at our UD Learning Exchange - https://www.facebook.com/events/2375548302970188/.

Join us in cheering on six Veteran athletes from southwestern Pennsylvania who are currently participating in the National Veterans Wheelchair Games in Detroit!

Co-presented by VA and Paralyzed Veterans of America, the annual adaptive sports competition features 500 Veterans from across the country who compete in events such as basketball, softball, and wheelchair rugby.

Learn more about the games at https://wheelchairgames.org/.

Adaptive Sports and Arts - U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

Paralyzed Veterans of America