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In this Update:
Bill Advances to Protect Veterans’ Benefits
Last month, my bill with Sen. Tracy Pennycuick (R-24), Sen. Doug Mastriano (R-33), and Sen. Dan Laughlin (R-49) aimed at safeguarding against the exploitation of our veterans was approved by the Senate Veterans Affairs & Emergency Preparedness Committee with strong bipartisan support! Veterans often face challenges when applying for and receiving the benefits they deserve. Unfortunately, some unscrupulous individuals and organizations seek to exploit these individuals by charging excessive fees and engaging in predatory practices, taking advantage of our veterans’ trust and need for assistance and causing undue financial burden. Our bill will cap fees, ensure proper contract transparency, and ban predatory practices. The bill now awaits full Senate consideration. Learn more about the bill here. Remembering the Rescue of Army POW Jessica Lynch
April 1 is a very meaningful anniversary for me every year. 23 years ago on April 1, 2003, Army PFC Jessica Lynch became the first American Prisoner of War to be rescued successfully since WWII. Jessica was captured after her Army unit was ambushed during the Battle of An-Nasiriyah in Iraq. While in captivity, Jessica suffered a broken back, femur, tibia, arm, and foot. She was severely dehydrated and starved. My Marine unit, the Marines of Task Force Tarawa, fought through the Battle of An-Nasiriyah and executed a tireless door-to-door operation to search for more information about her whereabouts. We finally received actionable intelligence after nine days, and were awakened to set up a cordon outside the hospital where she was held. As my unit provided a diversionary action, a special operations unit was launched to rescue her. Since her rescue, Jessica has become a teacher, mother, and motivational speaker sharing her miraculous story with thousands. Jessica was awarded the Bronze Star, Purple Heart, and Prisoner of War Medal for her service in Iraq. I first met Jessica back on American soil at a Steelers game in 2022, and we have collaborated on many events since then. I am honored to have aided the mission to rescue her with my fellow Marines of Task Force Tarawa. Thank you, former POW and Army PFC Jessica Lynch, for your service and sacrifice to our country. Your story continues to inspire so many. Purple Star School Application Period OPEN
April is Month of the Military Child in Pennsylvania, and the application period for schools to apply to support our military children by becoming designated as a Purple Star School is now open. Pennsylvania’s Purple Star School Program recognizes public, charter, and private schools that have committed to supporting the unique educational and social-emotional needs of military-connected students. This program was created by Act 69 of 2022 sponsored by Sen. Pat Stefano (R-32) and me. The process for a school to become a Purple Star School is simple. Schools need to only review and complete the items on this to receive this important designation that supports Pennsylvania’s military families. If you live in a school district that doesn’t have a Purple Star designation, I encourage you to reach out to your administrators and urge them to . Additional details are available on my website here and from the Pennsylvania Department of Education here. Remembering the Battle of An-Nasiriyah
It has been 23 years since the Battle of An-Nasiriyah, the first battle of the Iraq War and the first major urban combat battle since Vietnam. On March 23, 2003, nearly 5,800 U.S. Marines led the charge for this first large-scale battle in Operation Iraqi Freedom. The battle eventually ended on April 2, 2003, with the defeat of Iraqi forces in Baghdad. While it only lasted a little over a week, it continues to have reverberations to this day. I am honored to have served alongside my fellow Marines of the U.S. 2nd Battalion 8th Marines, part of Task Force Tarawa. We lost 18 Marines on the first day and several more throughout the course of that battle, and I am humbled when I think of all those who made the ultimate sacrifice. You can read more about the Battle of An-Nasiriyah here. Pennsylvania Veterans Homes
The state Department of Military and Veterans Affairs offers eligible veterans or surviving spouses’ residency in one of the six extended-care facilities throughout the state. The varying levels of care provided include personal, domiciliary, skilled nursing, and memory care. To be eligible, the veteran must have an honorable discharge, served in the U.S. or PA Armed Forces, and be resident at time of entry or current resident of Pennsylvania. Our region is served by the Southwestern Veterans’ Center, which I had the privilege to tour recently to see the excellent quality of care they provide for our local heroes. Check out more photos from the tour here. Click here for detailed instructions on how to apply or call the home you are interested in directly. State Veterans Commission Meeting
The State Veterans Commission (SVC) will hold its next regular meeting on Friday, April 10 at 10 a.m. The SVC advises the adjutant general and the state Department of Military and Veterans Affairs on all matters pertaining to the status, welfare, benefits, employment, and support of veterans and veterans’ programs in Pennsylvania. The meeting will be held at the Lickdale Outreach Center, 40 Fisher Ave., Jonestown. You can also join by telephone at (267) 332-8737 or via Microsoft Teams. Touring Veteran Non-Profit, Aurelius
I had a great tour of Aurelius’s Harrisburg location recently. Their mission to help heal PTSD and other psychological symptoms in veterans and first responders is producing impressive and transformative results for our nation’s heroes. Thank you for all you do! Learn more about this non-profit here. Check out more photos from my tour here. VA Moves to Better Ensure the Second Amendment Rights of Veterans
Veterans receiving assistance through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA) Fiduciary Program will no longer be deprived of their Second Amendment rights by being reported to the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) as “prohibited persons” based solely on their participation in the program. The VA, in consultation with the U.S. Department of Justice, is ending its practice of reporting veterans in the program to NICS without a judicial or quasi-judicial body decision because it is prohibited under federal law and the U.S. Constitution. It is also having all past VA reporting of veterans in the Fiduciary Program removed from NICS. Ultimately, no veteran will be stripped of their Second Amendment rights just because they participate in the Fiduciary Program. Improving Access to Education and Training Benefits
Claims for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to make an official review of entitlements will no longer be needed by any veteran seeking more information regarding education and training benefits granted under the 2024 Supreme Court Rudisill decision. While the VA had previously notified 380,000 veterans of the need for them to submit a claim, a claim for an official decision on entitlement will not be required of them or any other veteran to learn more about their benefits. Eligibility for two different education programs has also been extended due to another federal court decision for certain veterans who served for a single obligated period of sufficient length. More information can be found here. April Showers Bring May Flowers
Are you looking to plant some fruits, vegetables, and flowers to get spring started? There are plenty of discounts for veterans to get their gardens, flowerbeds, and lawns looking refreshed!
Medal of Honor DayOn March 25, National Medal of Honor Day was observed across the county to recognize all those who received the Medal of Honor for their grit, bravery, and resilience in service to our great country. Learn the incredible stories of Medal of Honor recipients here. Gold Star Spouses DayApril 5 was Gold Star Spouses Day. This year’s observance is especially poignant as we continue to mourn the loss of the brave American service members who made the ultimate sacrifice to protect our nation and our people from the devastation of a nuclear Iran. Our thoughts, prayers, and gratitude are with their families and the spouses they left behind today and every day.
I’m proud to represent you in Harrisburg. Please contact me if my team can assist you with any state-level issues or services, including PennDOT, PA Department of Revenue, PA Department of Aging, PA State Treasury, etc. I’m always happy to hear from constituents, but if you need assistance or have concerns regarding a federal issue, you may want to contact your U.S. Senators and/or your member in the U.S. House of Representatives. Thank you. For anyone who hasn’t already signed up to receive my e-newsletters, you can get on the mailing list here. |
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