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In this Update:

• Purple Heart Day
• CMSGT Charles W. Wiley Retires from 171^st Air Refueling Wing 
• Paralyzed Veterans Pension Fund Information
• New Law Provides Support for Families of Deceased Service Members
• Honoring Visually Impaired Veterans with a Capitol Monument
• Addressing Veteran Homelessness
• Korean War Veterans Armistice Day
• VA and Steak ‘N Shake Promote Veterans Benefits
• Free Ray-Ban Meta AI Glasses for Blind Veterans
• No-Cost TSA Precheck for Eligible Veterans
• Happy 236^th Birthday to the U.S. Coast Guard

Purple Heart Day

On August 7th, we recognized the brave men and women who were killed or wounded by enemy action while serving in the United States Armed Forces. 

National Purple Heart Day was first observed in 2014, but the medal dates back to 1782 when it was first designated by George Washington as a Badge of Merit. General Douglas MacArthur received the first modern Purple Heart for his service during WWII, and since then, over 1.8 million have been awarded. 

Let us all take a moment to reflect on the service and sacrifice of those who have received the Purple Heart. 

CMSGT Charles W. Wiley Retires from 171^st Air Refueling Wing

I was honored to present a citation to Chief Master Sergeant (CMSGT) Charles W. Wiley on his retirement from his position as Command Chief of the 171st Air Refueling Wing.

Since joining the 171st in 1999, CMSGT Wiley has served in a variety of roles including vehicle operator, vehicle fleet management & analysis non-commissioned officer, logistics plans non-commissioned officer, traffic management superintendent, logistics readiness squadron superintendent, vehicle management chief enlisted manager, and operations group superintendent before becoming Command Chief.

Thank you for your dedication to the 171st, and I wish you the best in your retirement!

See more photos from the retirement celebration here.

Paralyzed Veterans Pension Fund Information

Last month, the Pennsylvania Legislature passed a state budget that makes key investments to support veterans, families, seniors, and individuals with disabilities — all while avoiding tax increases and protecting the state’s fiscal future. The 2026 July edition of my monthly Veterans’ E-Newsletter reported that funding for the Paralyzed Veterans Pension Fund was increased in this year’s state budget, and we realized we needed to provide further clarity on what exactly this means for Pennsylvania’s disabled veterans.

To clarify, the funding for the program increased by 10%, and the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs will use that money to ensure approximately 200 more veterans are able to enroll in the program and receive the $150 monthly stipend to support their living expenses. This does not affect current recipients; however, it expands the number of veterans able to access these funds. I apologize for any confusion, and look forward to seeing the positive impact this increased funding will have on Pennsylvania’s veterans!

Learn more about eligibility requirements and how to apply for the Paralyzed Veterans Pension Fund here.

The finalized 2026-27 state budget also included provisions to create and enhance other programs and services aimed at assisting Pennsylvania veterans and their families, such as: 

• Providing a 6.3% increase for tuition assistance to children of honorably discharged veterans who have service-connected disabilities and served during a period of war or armed conflict and children of veterans who died in service during a period of war or armed conflict.
• Establishing the Veterans’ Trust Fund Board within the Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs to increase donations to the Veterans’ Trust Fund and provide for effective management of the fund.
• Requiring the Department of Human Services to expand online referral services and information for military veterans and their families for transitional, temporary and permanent housing, job placement and career counseling and other services for veterans returning to civilian life. 

Learn more about this year’s finalized state budget here.

New Law Provides Support for Families of Deceased Service Members

In an effort to better connect families with their local veterans affairs office, the General Assembly unanimously passed Senate Bill 130, now Act 42 of 2026, which requires funeral directors and cemeteries to provide the family of a deceased serviceperson with contact information for the county director of veterans affairs. They must also notify the county director of veterans affairs of the death of a service person within 96 hours of receiving their remains.

Pennsylvania county veterans affairs offices are available to better assist veterans with accessing benefits for which they might be eligible. Their contact information can be found here. 

Honoring Visually Impaired Veterans with a Capitol Monument

A Braille Flag monument honoring veterans with visual impairments could be installed at the Pennsylvania Capitol Building under legislation passed by the Senate and sent to the House of Representatives for consideration.

The Braille Flag was created to honor the service of veterans who have been left with life-long visual disabilities. Under Senate Bill 1303, which passed the Senate unanimously, the monument would be made of bronze and include the Pledge of Allegiance in Braille.

The display would be sponsored by the Moose Lodge and the American Braille Flag Project, a non-profit organization dedicated to the placement of these flags throughout the country.

Read more about Senate Bill 1303 here.

Addressing Veteran Homelessness

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs’ Homeless Aging and Disabled Veterans Initiative aims to help homeless veterans with chronic, complex health needs to secure affordable housing within their communities or transition more easily to any higher levels of care they need. The initiative works to better integrate home and community healthcare, social services, and permanent supportive housing.

Veterans experiencing homelessness should visit their local VA Medical Center for assistance. To find a VA Medical Center near you, visit their website here. For immediate assistance, contact the National Call Center for Homeless Veterans at (877) 4AID-VET (877-424-3838).

To learn more about VA Homeless Programs, click here.

Korean War Veterans Armistice Day

July 27 marked the 73rd Anniversary of the Korean War Veterans Armistice Day. This day commemorates the loss of 23,000 servicemembers who gave their lives for freedom and the estimated 2.5 million Korean civilians who lost their lives as well.

Let’s take a moment to recognize the deep sacrifices that will not be forgotten, and thank our Korean War veterans for their service.

VA and Steak ‘N Shake Promote Veterans Benefits

The VA teamed up with Steak ‘n Shake to promote VA benefits and services and make it easier for veterans to become owner-operators of Steak ‘n Shake franchises.

As a part of their agreement, Steak ‘n Shake will:

• Waive the $10,000 franchise fee for veterans seeking to run their own franchise under its Franchise Partner Program for Veterans.
• Promote awareness of VA benefits and healthcare on their website and through in-restaurant signage.
• Prioritize hiring veterans and VA beneficiaries, including family, caregivers, and survivors for leadership positions across the company.

Find more information here.

Free Ray-Ban Meta AI Glasses for Blind Veterans

Meta is donating free Ray-Ban Meta AI glasses to every blind veteran in the U.S.

Veterans can apply after becoming a Blinded Veterans Association (BVA) member.

Veteran organizations can apply to receive glasses for the blinded veterans in their communities here.

No-Cost TSA Precheck for Eligible Veterans

The VETS (Veterans Expedited TSA Screening) Safe Travel Act was signed into law, allowing certain veterans to receive no-cost TSA PreCheck enrollment. TSA PreCheck provides an expedited airport screening process with a more secure and streamlined security screening experience.

Eligible veterans for the TSA PreCheck enrollment fee waiver must be enrolled in VA healthcare and have a VA-determined service-connected disability which requires the use of a VA-issued wheelchair or prosthetic limb due to loss or loss of use of an extremity, full or partial paralysis, or permanent blindness.

A TSA PreCheck enrollment letter was sent to eligible veterans and can be accessed online through their VA account.

Happy 236^th Birthday to the U.S. Coast Guard

On August 4, we celebrated the U.S. Coast Guard’s 236^th birthday! I am thankful for the brave men and women who serve to protect our homeland and make countless sacrifices for our freedoms.

I was proud to previously join the 60-member crew of the Cutter Osage Sewickley in a wreath laying ceremony for Memorial Day. The station is part of the 8th District of the U.S. Coast Guard. Thank you for your service!

See more photos from the event here.