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In this Update:

• New Law Connects Families with VA Burial Benefits
• $1.2 Billion in Infrastructure Improvements Approved by VA
• VA Announces Clinical Trials to Help Veterans with Major Depression and Alcohol Use Disorder
• Travis Manion 9/11 Heroes Run
• Left, Right, Left 5K
• Shareapy Military
• Tech Deals for Veterans

New Law Connects Families with VA Burial Benefits

Under a new law, Act 42 of 2026, families of a deceased service person being buried or cremated in Pennsylvania after Sept. 18 will receive contact information for their county veterans affairs office from funeral directors and cemeteries. County directors of veterans affairs will also be notified by funeral directors and cemeteries within 96 hours of receiving the remains of a deceased service person.

This will help connect families with this local veterans’ resource which will be able to help them access benefits for which they might be eligible.

$1.2 Billion in Infrastructure Improvements Approved by VA

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) approved $1.2 billion in VA infrastructure improvements which will be used by VA medical facilities to enhance operational capability and healthcare delivery for significant maintenance, replacements and upgrades.

This includes funds to 42 projects for Pennsylvania’s VA medical facilities including replacing a roof in Coatesville, replacing domestic hot water tanks in Erie, renovating air conditioning in Lebanon, installing exterior security measures in Philadelphia, repairing fire and smoke dampers in Pittsburgh, replacing a fire station roof in Butler and more.

VA Announces Clinical Trials to Help Veterans with Major Depression and Alcohol Use Disorder

The VA announced a new clinical trial to evaluate psilocybin’s effectiveness and safety in treating major depression in veterans. Psilocybin is a classic hallucinogen and produced by more than 100 species of mushrooms worldwide.

The trial, Psilocybin Intervention for Veterans Overcoming Treatment-Resistant Depression, will enroll veterans with a diagnosis of treatment-resistant major depressive disorder and be conducted in five VA locations throughout the U.S., including Corporal Michael J. Crescenz VA Medical Center in Philadelphia.

This follows the VA’s announcement of a clinical trial to evaluate the efficacy of GLP-1 treatment for alcohol use disorder. This clinical trial, Cessation or Reduction of Alcohol Consumption in Veterans, will be conducted in 18 locations throughout the U.S., including the Philadelphia VA Healthcare System.

Travis Manion 9/11 Heroes Run

The Travis Manion Foundation (TMF) is a Pennsylvania-based, non-profit organization that provides programming, including Back to School Character Days, aimed to empower veterans and families of the fallen to develop character in future generations. The TMF is hosting several upcoming 5Ks throughout the U.S. in honor of 9/11, including these in the commonwealth:

• Philadelphia – Sept. 12 at 9 a.m. starting at The Navy Yard.
• Feasterville – Sept. 12 at 9 a.m. starting at Russell E Elliot Memorial Park.
• West Chester – Sept. 13 at 9 a.m. starting at Bayard Rustin High School.
• Pittsburgh – Sept. 13 at 9 a.m. starting at Youngwood VFD.
• Harrisburg – Sept. 19 at 9 a.m. starting at HACC.
• Lehigh Valley – Sept. 27 at 2 p.m. starting at PHS Stadium.
• Doylestown – Oct. 4 at 2 p.m. starting at War Memorial Field.

Left, Right, Left 5K

The Veterans and Military Employee Resource Group of Piedmont Airlines is hosting the Left, Right, Left 5K on Sept. 16 starting at 9:15 a.m. at Harrisburg International Airport. All proceeds from the $25 per person entry fee will go to Veterans Outreach of Pennsylvania to support a local village south of Harrisburg of 15 tiny homes surrounding a community center for homeless veterans.

Click here to register.

Shareapy Military

Shareapy offers free virtual peer support for active-duty military, veterans, first responders and their immediate family members. Once registered, you can:

• Join weekly virtual “Get Togethers”
• Connect with fellow veterans and family members
• Access wellness resources and community programming

There is no cost for eligible members. For more information and to sign up, click here.

Tech Deals for Veterans

• Apple offers a 10% discount through their Veterans and Military Purchase Program when verified through ID.me.
• HP offers up to 40% off for veterans verified through ID.me.