Joseph A. Dugan Jr. Hall of Valor InducteesFriends of Pittsburgh Fisher House Announce New Hires

By Paula Green

Every March, the Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Hall & Museum holds an induction ceremony in the Joseph A. Dugan Jr. Hall of Valor. This year’s event was held on Saturday, March 28, to honor seven military members from Pennsylvania. They join over 700 veterans already recognized in this important collection of American military history.

Dedicated in 1963, the Hall of Valor at Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Hall honors veterans, both living and deceased, for their bravery beyond the call of duty. It was renamed the Joseph A. Dugan Jr. Hall of Valor to honor the first president and CEO of the Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Hall & Museum Trust Incorporated.

This year’s class included five Army members: Vietnam Veterans Sergeant David Klimek (Greene County) and Captain Laurence Novotney (Fayette County), plus World War II Veterans Captain Martin Marvich (Westmoreland County), Private First Class John Neske (Allegheny County), and Major Joseph Novotney (Fayette County). Also honored were U.S. Air Force Vietnam Veteran Sergeant John Martz and U.S. Marine Corps World War II Veteran First Lieutenant Raymond Siebert, both of Allegheny County.

 Mary Ellen Austin

Jack McMahon

Shifting focus from the Hall of Valor ceremony to another pillar of the local military community, Friends of the Pittsburgh Fisher House recently announced staffing additions. Jack McMahon has retired after 13 years on the board of directors, including the past two as President. He now serves as the director emeritus. Mary Ellen Austin has assumed the role of President.

Joe Milharcic

Austin, who led the campaign for the second Pittsburgh Fisher House, brings extensiveexperience as President. She has been with the organization since 2013. As construction progressed, the board appointed Joe Milharcic as its first Executive Director to oversee operations.

Pittsburgh Fisher House is a “home away from home.” It provides free, temporary lodging for families and caregivers of veterans or military service members receiving treatment at VA or military medical centers. 

Fisher Houses are near hospitals, keeping families close during medical crises. The VA Pittsburgh Fisher House is at University Drive, Building 33, on the VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System's Oakland campus. 

Steve and Michelle Schellberg during Steve's recovery at the Pittsburgh Fisher House.

A new location will soon open at the H.J. Heinz III campus in Aspinwall, O'Hara Township. This addition will more than double Pittsburgh Fisher House’s capacity, enabling it to serve more families traveling for care.

Northern Connection magazine commends the new Hall of Valor inductees for their service. We also wish Friends of Pittsburgh Fisher House success as they expand to support more military and veteran families.