M AKING
A
D IFFERENCE
IN
C ORAOPOLIS , PA
NOVEMBER 2012
Month of the Military Family
As the Nation honors Veterans on the 11th day of this month, November
has been designated as “Month of the Military Family.” The Army Family
Covenant was established to recognize the importance of Family support.
WE
WE
WE
RECOGNIZE ...
 The commitment and increasing sacrifices that our Families are making
every day.
 The strength of our Soldiers comes from the strength of their Families.
ARE COMMITTED TO ...
 Providing Soldiers and Families a Quality of Life that is commensurate with
their service.
 Providing our Families a strong, supportive environment where they can
thrive.
 Building a partnership with Army Families that enhances their strength and
resilience.
ARE COMMITTED TO





I MPROVING F AMILY R EADINESS
BY ...
Standardizing and funding existing Family programs and services
Increasing accessibility and quality of health care
Improving Soldier and Family housing
Ensuring excellence in schools, youth services and child care
Expanding education and employment opportunities for Family Members
The geographically-dispersed Military Member (living away from an installation) may
discover challenges in finding these support systems. The ASCC is here to connect
Military Members and their Family Members with local resources for Family Readiness
and Wellness. Visit the ASCC to receive information and materials designed to help
Families stay in touch during deployments or training separations, as well as information
about Military benefits. 
The information presented in this newsletter is for informational awareness only and does not represent
endorsement, sponsorship, recommendation, or promotion of any commercial event(s), commercial names
or brands by the editors of this Newsletter, the Department of Defense, US Army, US Navy, US Air Force,
US Coast Guard, National Guard, National Guard or Reserve, and the federal government. Usage of
commercial or trade mark names is for identification purposes only.
IN THIS ISSUE:
Month of the Military Family ...................1
Veteran Registry of Pennsylvania............2
Remembrance Day—National Roll Call ..2
Pennsylvania Military ID Card Locations 3
Guide to VA Mental Health Services .......4
Returning from the War Zone Guide .......4
Military OneSource Financial Tools ........4
The Arlington App Coming Soon! ...........5
Military ID Card Self-Service Portal ........5
Webinar: How to Use Tutor.com .............5
eBenefits Simplifies Access to Benefits .6
Military Discounts for Disney Tickets ......6
ARMY STRONG COMMUNITY CENTER
CONTACT INFORMATION:
Army Strong Community Center
99 Soldiers Lane
Coraopolis, PA 15108-2550
HEATHER UPHOLD
Contract Customer Support Coordinator
Toll-free: 800-400-2650 x8153
Local: 412-604-8153
[email protected]
LISA ELLEK
Contract Customer Support Coordinator
Toll-free: 800-400-2650 x3813
Local: 412-507-3813
[email protected]
OFFICE HOURS:
Monday—Friday, 8am—5pm
NOTE! Closed November 12, 22, and 23
for Veterans Day and Thanksgiving holidays.
Army Strong Community
Center (ASCC) is an
Army Reserve Family Program
CORAOPOLIS ARMY STRONG COMMUNITY CENTER NEWSLETTER | NOVEMBER 2012 | PAGE 1
Veteran Registry
of Pennsylvania
The Veteran Registry of Pennsylvania was created
to be a historic resource as well as a way to
remember all Veterans. To qualify for registry the
Veteran must have been honorably discharged and
from Pennsylvania before or after service.
REQUIREMENTS ARE:
 Birth or residence in Pennsylvania
 Service from 1776-present
 An Honorable Discharge from the United States
Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, Air
Force or Merchant Marine.
Chris Morrow, Financial Counselor, Danielle Mack, Support Coordinator
with Survivor Outreach Services and Heather Uphold, Customer Support
Coordinator with the Army Strong Community Center take shade from
the sun in the Army National Guard’s golf cart while assisting at the
Military Appreciation Week “Patriot Outpost” at the PGA’s Mylan Classic
Golf Tournament.
 Duty requirements are service at any time: Regular
Service, Reserve, National Guard or Militia
Service. Nursing service with any military unit
also qualifies.
Please note that all information, especially medals and
awards should be verified by:
 DD-214
 Service record
 Newspaper articles
 Letter from National Personnel Records Center,
St. Louis, MO
*Pictures of the Veterans are encouraged to be sent in with
the information.
For a free Veterans Registry form please visit,
http://www.soldiersandsailorshall.org/Veteran-registry-list.php
If you have any questions please contact Casey Patterson
at (412) 621-4254 or [email protected]
Please allow three to four weeks for processing.
Members of the 856th Combat Engineers Detachment 1 from
Washington, PA assist with the Military Appreciation Week “Patriot
Outpost” at the PGA’s Mylan Classic Golf Tournament.
University of Pittsburgh Office of Veterans Services “Remembrance Day—National Roll Call”
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2012 | 9 AM— 4:30 PM | WILLIAM PITT UNION, LOWER LOUNGE
Volunteers are needed. For more information or to volunteer, visit www.veterans.pitt.edu or call the Office of Veterans Services at 412-624-3213.
OREGON
CORAOPOLIS
CITY ARMY
ARMY STRONG
STRONG COMMUNITY
COMMUNITY CENTER
CENTER NEWSLETTER
NEWSLETTER || NOVEMBER
NOVEMBER2011
2012 || PAGE
PAGE 23
Plan Ahead for the Holidays
Get an early start with gifts and cards.
Depending on where your loved one is stationed,
it can take a week or more for a package to arrive
from the United States. 
IAV Stryker static display from the 856th Combat Engineers from
Washington, PA. The vehicle is named for two American Military
Members who posthumously received the Medal of Honor: Private First
Class (PFC) Stuart S. Stryker, who died in World War II and Specialist
Four Robert F. Stryker, who died in the Vietnam War.
Pennsylvania Military ID Card LocationsCall First!
LOCATION
Allentown
Annville
Avoca
Bristol
Carlisle
Chambersburg
Coraopolis
ADDRESS
1400 Postal Rd, Allentown, PA 18109
Bldg 9-68, Ft. Indiantown Gap, PA 17003
1200 Navy Way Road, Avoca, PA 18641
2501 Ford Rd., Bristol, PA 19007
46 Ashburn Dr., Carlisle Barracks, PA 17013
2 Wisconsin Ave., Chambersburg, PA 17201
2475 Defense Ave., Bldg #316
300 Tanker Road, #4226 Coraopolis, PA 15108
99 Soldiers Lane, Coraopolis, PA 15108
Danville
90 Liberty Valley Road, Danville, PA 17821
Ebensburg
260 Industrial Park Rd., Ebensburg, PA 15391
Erie
3938 Old French Rd., Erie, PA 16504
Johnstown
295 Goucher St., Johnstown, PA 15905
Middletown
81 Constellation Ct., Middletown, PA 17057
New Cumberland 2021 Mission Dr., New Cumberland, PA 17070
North Versailles
625 E. Pittsburgh-McKeesport Blvd,
North Versailles, PA 15147
Philadelphia
700 Robbins Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19111
4700 S. Broad Street, Room 101, Philadelphia, PA 19112
Tobyhanna
11 Hap Arnold Blvd., Tobyhanna, PA 18466
Williamsport
1307 Grove St., Williamsport, PA 17701
Willow Grove
1051 Fairchild St., Willow Grove, PA 19090
PHONE
(601) 264-8823
(717) 861-8693
(570) 457-8430 X212
(215) 826-4133/4134
(717) 245-3533
(717) 267-8751
(412) 474-8526
(412) 776-7485
(412) 507-3811
(570) 275-7450
(814) 472-5083 X810
(814) 434-0209 X247
(814) 288-6000/5087
(717) 948-2285/2283
(717) 770-7111
(412) 673-0801/0811
(215) 697-3783
(215) 897-7001
(570) 615-7409/8596
(570) 321-5041
(215) 323-7417/7419
OREGON
CORAOPOLIS
CITY ARMY
ARMY STRONG
STRONG COMMUNITY
COMMUNITY CENTER
CENTER NEWSLETTER
NEWSLETTER || NOVEMBER
NOVEMBER2011
2012 || PAGE
PAGE 33
NATIONAL SUICIDE PREVENTION
LIFELINE:
1-800-273-TALK (8255)
(press 1 for Veterans Suicide Hotline)
or go to
http://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org/
Guide to VA Mental Health Services for Veterans & Families
H OW Y OU C AN F IND THE M ENTAL H EALTH C ARE Y OU N EED
This comprehensive guide (pdf) is available for download at
http://www.mentalhealth.va.gov/docs/Guide_to_VA_Mental_Health_Srvcs_FINAL12-20-10.pdf
If you have a mental health emergency (like wanting to hurt yourself or someone else), go to the nearest hospital emergency
room or call 911. If it is not a VA hospital, you may be able to move to a VA facility depending on your circumstances. If
you are feeling suicidal, you can also call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273-TALK (8255) and press 1 for
the Veterans Suicide Prevention Hotline, or visit http://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org/ and click on Veterans Chat Live
with a Counselor. Mental health professionals are available to talk with you 24 hours per day. If you have a mental health
problem and have never been seen in a VA hospital or clinic, call VA general information hotline at 1-800-827-1000 or visit
VA’s website at www.va.gov. You will be able to find the address and phone number of a VA hospital or clinic near you.
Some Veterans begin the process of finding mental health care through a Veterans Center. Homeless Veterans can get help
finding mental health care at a Veterans drop-in center. If you are already using VA medical services, ask your primary care
provider to arrange for you to see a VA mental health provider. 
Returning from the War Zone: A Guide for Military Personnel
This comprehensive guide (pdf) is available for download at http://www.ptsd.va.gov/public/reintegration/guide-pdf/SMGuide.pdf
The purpose of this guide is to help you shift gears and begin your next phase of life at home with your Family.
For those of you who have deployed more than once, you might expect that with each deployment, the emotional cycle will
become easier. But things may actually become more difficult. This is especially the case if you have unresolved problems
from previous separations and reunions. Each deployment is also different from the last.
Reunion can also be a time of considerable stress for both you and your Family. You may find that coming home is, in fact,
harder than going to war. In order to get through homecoming as smoothly as possible, you need to know what kinds of
issues you might face and make sure you have realistic expectations.
THIS GUIDE DISCUSSES:





What common reactions should you expect following the trauma of war?
What experiences are you likely to encounter on the home front?
How can you positively cope with the transition?
What are signs that you or your war buddies might need some outside assistance?
Where can you go for assistance? 
New Financial Calculators and Relocation Tools Available through Military OneSource
Military OneSource has launched two new online tools for Military Members and their Families. Login on the Military OneSource website
and check out the financial calculators and relocation tools. http://www.militaryonesource.mil
If you are eligible for the Military OneSource program, you have year-round access to free telephonic financial counseling. Please call
Military OneSource at 1-800-342-9647 to speak with a financial counselor. 
OREGON
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BREVARD
CITYARMY
ARMY
ARMYSTRONG
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STRONGCOMMUNITY
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CENTERNEWSLETTER
NEWSLETTER
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Military ID Card
Self-Service Portal
The Defense Manpower Data Center has launched
its Real-time Automated Personnel Identification
System (RAPIDS) Self-Service Portal to allow anyone
with the Defense Department’s Common Access
Card (CAC) to apply for Family ID or retirement
cards and manage them online.
The Arlington App Coming Soon!
www.arlingtoncemetery.mil
A new Army smartphone app will provide information
about Arlington National Cemetery, VA. Set for release
this fall, the software plots nearly 260,000 burial sites
and urn niches on photographic maps, and will showcase
photos and records of more than 300,000 individuals
buried there, according to cemetery officials. A 4G network at the sacred grounds supports the mobile initiative
the first for any federal cemetery.
Key Points:
INFO IN HAND. Visitors using the app will search by name
to pull up details about Military Members interred at the
cemetery, such as rank, birth and death dates, branch of
service and possibly a headstone photo. In the future, the
app might include memorial pages and video.
INTERACTIVE MAP. Along with the app, Arlington plans
to host a similar interactive map on its website, so web
viewers can see burial sites.
HALLOWED GROUND. The digital map will mark a visitor’s
position in “turn-by-turn directions” to graves and allow
users to zoom in and out. The software will also recommend walking tours and note famous memorials and
graves, including those of MAJ Audie Murphy, the most
decorated soldier in history; MAJ Walter Reed, a pioneer
in Army medicine; and five-star World War II General
George Marshall.
EVENT ALERTS. The app will also post schedules for wreathlaying ceremonies, commemorations and special events
such as those recognizing Medal of Honor recipients and
celebrating the annual cherry blossom bloom.
APP DOWNLOAD. Once unveiled, the app will be available
for download from major online marketplaces and also on
Arlington’s website, www.arlingtoncemetery.mil 
AVAILABLE FEATURES/ACTIONS
SPONSOR
 Add/Change email address to receive initial
or new Email Signature and Email Encryption
Certificates
 Add Personnel Category Code to the User Principle
Name of the Email Signature Certificate
 Activate the PIV Authentication Certificate
 Download applications
 View/Update contact information
 It is the Sponsor’s responsibility to review and
update all appropriate information as needed
before requesting reissuance of ID cards for any
Family Member.
FAMILY MEMBER
 View/Update contact information
 Request application for reissuance of ID card
For more details visit https://www.dmdc.osd.mil/self_service/
rapids/unauthenticated?execution=e1s1 
Webinar: How to Use Tutor.com
Find out what Tutor.com for U.S. Military
Families can do for you!
Nervous about school? Forgotten how to work those
algebra problems? Need a biology refresher?
SAT coming up this fall?
Don’t worry - Tutor.com for U.S. Military Families
is there for you! Call in to a live webinar to see
just how many resources are available to
help you succeed this school year!
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 6 AT 6:00 P.M. EST
INSTRUCTOR: MEG SAUVÉ FROM TUTOR.COM
FOR MILITARY FAMILIES
Space is limited. To register, visit
http://www.tutor.com/military/spread-the-word 
OREGON
CORAOPOLIS
CITY ARMY
ARMY STRONG
STRONG COMMUNITY
COMMUNITY CENTER
CENTER NEWSLETTER
NEWSLETTER || NOVEMBER
NOVEMBER2011
2012 || PAGE
PAGE 53
For support 24/7,
365 days a year, contact the
Outreach & Support
Call Center at 866-345-8248.
eBenefits Simplifies Access to Resources and Benefits
Visit https://www.ebenefits.va.gov
There are many benefits and services provided to Military
personnel and their Families. Yet accessing these programs,
learning about requirements and effectively using the benefits that you have earned may require a good deal of effort,
as well as a bit of patience. To streamline the process, the
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the Department of
Defense (DoD) have created eBenefits, an online web portal
that provides benefit-related resources and tools for Veterans,
Service Members and their Families.
eBenefits is a one-stop web portal that enables Veterans and
Service Members to access personal information and carry
out tasks so they can use benefits. Its easy-to-navigate format
and topical options offer a more efficient system for managing
eligible benefits and accessing services from a single portal.
The key to using the site is your ability to prove eligibility,
which is determined through your listing in the Defense
Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS). Once
eligibility is verified, you will be able to obtain a DoD SelfService logon, which includes a username and password.
Based on the degree that your identity is authenticated
online, you will be issued a basic or premium account. The
premium account offers greater access to your personal data
in VA and DoD systems and allows you to perform more
tasks online. If you attempt to register and are informed you
have no DEERS record, VA will first need to verify your
military service and add you to DEERS. This is most likely
for Veterans who served prior to 1982.
Individuals should contact a VA Regional Office or call
1-800-827-1000 (option 7) for assistance in being added
to DEERS.
Once in the system, your user categoryVeteran, Service
Member or Family Memberreveals the resources and
services available to you.
VETERANS
 Apply for Veterans’ Benefits Online (VONAPP)
 Request enrollment in the VA Health Care System (VA
form 10-10 EZ)
 Check on compensation and pension claims status
 Download your military service record (form DD 214)
 Search for private and federal employment (Career Center)
 Generate letters that verify benefit payments and disability
for federal hiring
SERVICE MEMBERS
 View Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance (SGLI)
elections
 Access service member civilian employment information
 View DoD TRICARE health insurance
 Translate military occupational codes to civilian skills
language and positions (VAforVETS)
 Transfer Post 9/11 GI Bill education benefits
 Use the eLearning Center for the online VA Transition
Assistance Program (TAP) and more
FAMILY MEMBERS
 Take online courses designed to help you manage your
health
 View Post 9/11 GI Bill education benefits
 Check your VA Post 9/11 GI Bill payment history 
Military Discounts for Disneyland and Walt Disney World Tickets
Disney is saluting U.S. military personnel by offering significantly discounted tickets through September 28, 2013. Block out dates apply.
This offer is for active or retired members of the U.S. military, including the National Guard, Reservists and the U.S. Coast Guard.
For more information regarding Military Promotional Tickets, military personnel may contact their participating U.S. military base ticket office,
or visit the following links:
Walt Disney World Resort:
http://bookwdw.reservations.disney.go.com/ibcwdw/en_US/specialOfferDetails?name=Promo&promotionCode=fy13military&market=fy13military
Disneyland: http://disneyland.disney.go.com/special-offers/military-tickets/ 
OREGON
CORAOPOLIS
CITY ARMY
ARMY STRONG
STRONG COMMUNITY
COMMUNITY CENTER
CENTER NEWSLETTER
NEWSLETTER || NOVEMBER
NOVEMBER2011
2012 || PAGE
PAGE 63