Geisinger Health Plan Medicare Options for Veterans Veterans can select a special Medicare Advantage plan geared toward them from Geisinger Health Plan (GHP) during the ongoing Medicare Annual Enrollment Period, which ends Sunday, Dec. 7.Veterans can continue to receive Veteran Affairs (VA) health care benefits without adding a monthly payment. The Geisinger Gold Heritage (HMO) plan provides veterans with more non-VA health care facility options when seeking care closer to home, including: $0 copay for supplemental preventive and comprehensive dental services, up to $1,250 annually $40 allowance per month for over-the-counter purchases like cough medicine and bandages $200 allowance per year for eyewear $1,250 allowance per year every 3 years for prescription hearing aids and $250 allowance every 2 years for 1 pair of over-the-counter hearing aids. A cap in out-of-pocket costs for inpatient stays Access to more than 30,000 doctors and specialists, 180+ hospitals and all VA facilities “We recognize and honor the special role veterans have played for our country — and we understand their unique health care needs,” said Roger van Baaren, Geisinger Health Plan chief sales officer. “That’s why GHP is proud to have plans that were designed with veterans specifically in mind.” Click here or call 800-482-8163 to learn more about Geisinger Health Plan Medicare Advantage options.
Treasurer Garrity Honors Veterans with Military Decoration Returns Pennsylvania Treasurer Stacy Garrity today announced that 57 military decorations have been returned to Veterans and their families so far in 2025. Returns this year include two Purple Hearts, Treasury’s first-ever Gold Star Widows and Pilgrimage Medal and Civil War buttons and epaulettes. “As state treasurer, I’m tasked with safeguarding more than $180 billion in state assets, but one of my favorite parts of this job isn’t about the money at all, it’s honoring my fellow Veterans by returning the military decorations that find their way to Treasury’s vault in Harrisburg,” Treasurer Garrity said. Treasury has a dedicated database to help reunite military decorations with Veterans or their families. There are nearly 500 decorations, including medals, dog tags, pins, buttons and more remaining in Treasury’s care. They represent every branch of military service and nearly every major conflict. Anyone can review the available decorations online at patreasury.gov/unclaimed-property/medals. “I urge the public to search our military decoration database to see if they have information to help us reunite the priceless decorations in our vault with the Veterans who earned them or their families,” Treasurer Garrity said. Since taking office, Treasurer Garrity has returned 533 military decorations, including 13 Purple Hearts, three Bronze Stars and one Gold Star Medal. “This year included incredibly moving in-person returns, including the return of two Purple Hearts, and the Gold Star Medal,” Treasurer Garrity said. “Meeting the families of the Veterans is impactful because they add so many details about the bravery, determination and good character of the Veteran who stood in the defense of our great nation.” In April, Treasurer Garrity returned a Gold Star Widows and Pilgrimage Medal to Christine Morrison, the great-niece of Private First-Class Joseph William Morrison. PFC Morrison was in the 554th Army Ambulance Service during World War I. He was killed in action on November 1, 1918, ten days before the end of the war. His bravery was also recognized by the French government, which awarded him the Croix de Guerre. The Gold Star Treasury returned had been presented to PFC Morrison’s mother, Agnes Morrison, when she visited the grave of her son in France in 1933. The full return ceremony can be seen here. On Purple Heart Day, Aug. 7, Treasurer Garrity returned a Purple Heart to James Morgan, the son of the late Ray Alvin Morgan, an Army Veteran who was wounded in the Vietnam War. Private First-Class Morgan served in Company A, 4th Supply and Support Battalion, 4th Infantry. He was presented with the Purple Heart at Valley Forge Hospital during his recovery. The Purple Heart return ceremony, which took place at Fort Indiantown Gap, can be seen here. “Each medal, pin or button that comes to Treasury is a piece of someone’s story and returning them is a way to honor a Veteran’s service and show our gratitude for their sacrifices. I extend my sincere gratitude and appreciation on this Veterans Day to all Veterans and their families for all they have done for every Pennsylvanian and every American.” Tangible unclaimed property, like military decorations, finds its way to Treasury most often as the contents of forgotten safe deposit boxes. State law requires unclaimed property to be reported to Treasury after three years of dormancy. There is also more than $5 billion in unclaimed property, including old bank accounts, checks, rebates, insurance policies and more available to claim. More than one in ten Pennsylvanians has unclaimed property, and the average value of a claim is more than $1,000. To search for unclaimed property, visit patreasury.gov/unclaimed-property. Images of military decorations can be found here.
The Wright Center Recognizes National Salute to Veterans Here in Northeast Pennsylvania, we hold our military veterans in the highest regard – and rightfully so, given their immense sacrifices for our nation. Like any other group, veterans face a wide array of health challenges that require exceptional care. Highlighting this vital issue is the mission of the annual National Salute to Veteran Patients, observed this year from Feb. 9-15. This weeklong tribute honors the millions of veterans who receive care at Veterans Affairs (VA) medical facilities while raising awareness about the critical role these centers play and encouraging more people to visit and volunteer. The National Salute to Veteran Patients began in 1974, initiated by the humanitarian organization No Greater Love, Inc., and was later adopted by the VA in 1978. Today, the VA’s Center for Development and Civic Engagement organizes local events and activities at VA medical facilities across the country, recognizing the contributions of both hospitalized and outpatient veterans. According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, nearly 100,000 veterans visit VA medical centers each day, about 9 million annually. These centers, operated by the Veterans Health Administration, form the largest integrated health care system in the country. They provide a wide range of essential services, including orthopedics, mental health care, surgery, critical care, radiology, pharmacy, physical therapy, speech pathology, and neurology. At The Wright Center, we are proud to play a role in this vital work. Many of our resident and fellow physicians gain invaluable experience at the VA Medical Center in Wilkes-Barre, where they learn firsthand the rewards of providing high-quality medical care to those who have served our country. The opportunity to care for veterans – whose selfless service has ensured our safety and freedoms – is deeply fulfilling for our physicians. Just like our resident and fellow physicians, you can be of service to our vets, too, by becoming more engaged in the volunteer and philanthropic efforts of the VA. There are a number of ways to give your time, from greeting veterans at the main entrance of the VA Medical Center to visiting them in their rooms to becoming a Volunteer Transportation Network driver. You can also donate items or make a financial contribution to support food banks, homeless veteran programs, and other worthwhile endeavors. As part of National Salute to Veteran Patients Week, the VA is inviting individuals and organizations to send Valentine’s Day cards to veteran patients at its medical centers. The cards are meant to express appreciation for their service, and provide encouragement as they continue their health care journey. Interested in getting involved? Contact the Wilkes-Barre VA Medical Center at 570-821-7237 and tell them you want to help out. Veterans represent the best and bravest amongst us, so we owe it to them to support their health care needs in any way we can. So, if you can, make a visit to the VA and salute a veteran patient – you’ll brighten their day and feel enriched by the experience. Stephanie A. Gill, M.D., MPH, is a board-certified family medicine physician at The Wright Center for Community Health and the program director and physician faculty member of The Wright Center for Graduate Medical Education’s Regional Family Medicine Residency Program. For more information about The Wright Center, go to TheWrightCenter.org.
Misericordia University Hockey Team Honors Hometown Heroes Calling all fans! Join us on Saturday, February 8, 2025, at the Toyota Sports Plex for our Hometown Heroes Hockey Game! Let’s pack the stands to cheer on the Cougars and honor our heroes! 6:45 PM – Special recognition of our local heroes7:00 PM – Puck drops as the Misericordia Cougars take on the Alvernia Golden Wolves
Lackawanna Historical Society Program Honors Women Vets On Valentine’s weekend, the Lackawanna Historical Society will present “A Love Letter to My Sister Soldiers” on Sunday, February 16, at 2 pm at the Society’s headquarters, the Catlin House, 232 Monroe Avenue, Scranton. Join Janice Gavern to share stories and honor the women currently serving today, including Capt. Lacie Hester, an Air Force airman who was recently awarded a Silver Star for her performance in an enormous drone fight. Janice is a Scranton native and Air Force Veteran who continues to serve her country as the deputy commander for Women Veterans Issues at the 15th District American Legion Department of Pennsylvania. She is also the historian for Gardner Warner American Legion Post 154 in Montrose, Pennsylvania, and the acting historian for Gladys Watkins American Legion Post 550, which once existed in Scranton. For more information or to register, please call the Society at 570-344-3841 or email lackawannahhistory@gmail.com.
Johnson College Receives Grant to Support Military Veterans’ Johnson College Receives $5,000 Grant from Robert H. Spitz Foundation to Support Military and Veterans’ Resource Center Johnson College has been awarded a $5,000 grant from the Robert H. Spitz Foundation’s Spring 2024 grant cycle, managed by the Scranton Area Foundation, to support its Military and Veterans’ Resource Center for students and alumni who are affiliated with the military. The project is being directed by Dr. Natalia Melgarejo, Johnson College Student Success Coordinator. The Johnson College Military and Veterans’ Resource Center, located on the College’s Scranton campus, will serve as a private space for military service members and veterans to study and develop a sense of community as students at the College. Both students and alumni will use the space to find peer support, discuss common concerns, celebrate connections, and share with others who have lived through similar experiences. In addition to the new Resource Center, Johnson College provides services such as priority scheduling and registration to servicemembers, as well as assistance with military and veteran benefits. Johnson College’s goal in serving military-affiliated families and veterans is to help ease the transition in starting, continuing, or resuming educational pursuits and to offer assistance with Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) educational benefits. Through its continued efforts to empower servicemembers to further their education, Johnson College was awarded the 2024-25 Gold Military Friendly® School designation from VIQTORY, a service-disabled, veteran-owned small business (SDVOSB) that connects the military community to civilian employment, educational, and entrepreneurial opportunities. Institutions earning the Military Friendly® School designation were evaluated using public data sources and responses from a proprietary survey. More than 1,800 schools participated in the 2024-2025 survey, with 537 earning special awards for going above the standard. About the Robert H. Spitz Foundation The Robert H. Spitz Foundation is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that supports initiatives and programs serving the residents of Lackawanna County and Northeastern Pennsylvania. Robert H. Spitz was born in Scranton in 1955. He was a graduate of Scranton Central High School and the University of Miami, Florida. The Robert H. Spitz Foundation was established from his estate in 2015 and supports an array of projects and programs that are aimed at improving the community. To date, the Robert H. Spitz Foundation, administered by the Scranton Area Community Foundation, has provided nearly $6 million in funding to the community.
FNCB Bank Supports Veterans Treatment Court FNCB Bank, locally based for over 100 years, recently donated $15,000 through the Pennsylvania Neighborhood Assistance Project Tax Credit Program, to the Treatment Court Advocacy Center of Lackawanna County to help local veterans in the rehabilitative program. The 18-month rehabilitative program addresses root behavioral problems that often afflict veterans, such as mental health and addiction concerns. The Lackawanna Veterans Treatment Court was the first of its kind in Pennsylvania when started in 2009 by Judge Michael Barrasse, who continues to oversee it. FNCB Bank’s donation will be used for essentials like clothing, rent, transportation, medical care, job counseling, therapy, and support for participating veterans and family members. Since 2014, FNCB Bank has donated $100,000 to the treatment court. The support of the Lackawanna County Veterans Treatment Court is part of FNCB’s larger Community Caring initiative. As a true, local community bank, FNCB is making a difference through volunteerism, donations, and outreach programs.
Treasurer Reminds Veterans to File Discharge Documents Locally Treasurer Stacy Garrity and James M. Zugay, Recorder of Deeds in Dauphin County and President of the Pennsylvania Recorders of Deeds Association (PRODA), today reminded Pennsylvania veterans to register their military discharge paperwork with their local recorder of deeds office. “Military discharge papers are crucial documents for veterans to keep, and Recorder of Deed offices can provide easy access to official copies if the originals get misplaced or lost,” said Treasurer Garrity, a retired U.S. Army Reserve Colonel. “It’s important that my fellow veterans know about and understand the importance of this great resource, and I urge them all to make sure they have their paperwork on file with their county’s recorder of deeds.” “Recorders are proud to serve as a custodian of DD214s for our veterans who have honorably served our country,” said Zugay. “We have recorded thousands of these documents, but our hope is spread the word that recording these documents in our office is a way to preserve them in a safe and confidential way if they are needed for any reason in the future.” Recorders are required by Pennsylvania law to accept and maintain military discharge papers from veterans. This is the only document protected as private – DD214s are not public record. If a veteran or their family loses the original paperwork, or it is lost due to a flood, fire or other natural disaster, certified copies can be obtained from the Recorder of Deeds office where the documents were stored. Without this county-level process, veterans would be forced to go through the federal government to receive replacement documents, which can be a cumbersome process. To have military discharge papers recorded, veterans will need to provide their DD214 or NGB22 and, in some cases, a valid photo I.D. Veterans should contact their county Recorder of Deeds to ensure proper documentation. There is no fee associated with recording military discharge papers. “I hope all veterans will take some time to register their discharge papers with their local county Recorder of Deeds,” Garrity said. “It’s a great service that can make things much easier in the future if their original documents get misplaced or destroyed.” Recorders of Deeds have had the authority in Pennsylvania to collect military discharge papers since 1868. To find your county recorder of deeds, visit PRODA’s website at padeeds.com/county-officials.
Johnson College to Hold Instant Decision Day Johnson College’s Instant Decision Day for Veterans and those currently serving in the U.S. Military will be held on Friday, April 28, 2023, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. virtually and inside Woolworth Hall on the Johnson College Scranton campus. To register to attend in person or virtually, visit johnson.edu. During the Instant Decision Event, Johnson College will provide prospective veteran students and those currently serving in the U.S. military with an immediate enrollment decision. They must supply their high school transcripts and can bring their college and military transcripts if applicable. It is highly recommended that the prospective student completes an application before attending. Applications for Johnson College’s Physical Therapist Assistant, Radiologic Technology, and Veterinary Nursing programs are excluded from instant decisions.
