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In this Update:
Remembering 9/11 25 Years LaterLast week marked the 25th anniversary of one of the most heinous attacks on our great nation. On Sept. 11, 2001, terrorists highjacked four airliners on America’s east coast and turned them into deadly missiles, ultimately taking the lives of nearly 3,000 citizens. Filled with passengers, two of the planes were flown into the World Trade Center towers in New York City and another into the Pentagon in Washington, D.C. The fourth, perhaps destined to strike the White House or U.S. Capitol, was brought down in Somerset County by brave passengers who fought back. 25 years later, we recall the shock and anger over the attack, the grief over lives taken, and the resolve to prevent another act of that scale. I hope we also remember the nation coming together in response, and the power of unified people facing adversity. As the number of people who experienced this event declines, it becomes more important to dedicate ourselves to never letting that day slip from our nation’s memory. Please join me in reflecting on and honoring those whose lives were unjustly taken from them that day, and may we never forget. To recognize the anniversary, my staff and I participated in several remembrance ceremonies in local communities:
Thank you to all who attended the First Responder Appreciation Stair Climb and Recruitment event I sponsored with Rep. Natalie Mihalek (R-40) at the Spencer Family YMCA Bethel Park. To honor the brave men and women who responded on Sept. 11, 2001, attendees completed various exercises designed to simulate the courageous actions of the heroes on that day. Additionally, thank you to the Bethel Park Volunteer Fire Company for discussing volunteer opportunities! See more photos from the event here.
I was honored to speak at the annual Corpus Christi Knights of Columbus 9/11 ceremony. Thank you to everyone who came to remember the events of 9/11 and honor the heroes who gave their all in response to the attacks. See more photos from the ceremony here.
Thank you to those who gathered at Sunny Slope in South Park to reflect on the events of Sept. 11, 2001, and recognize the sacrifices made by those who answered the call that day. Additionally, thank you to the first responders who participated in the ceremony: South Park Township Police Department, Broughton Volunteer Fire Department, Library Volunteer Fire Company, and Tri-Community South EMS. See more photos from the event here.
As co-chair of the 9/11 Memorial Trail Caucus, I was glad to speak with WTAE-TV Pittsburgh about my support of the mission of the Trail to honor the heroes from that terrible yet historic day. The 9/11 Memorial Trail will do this by “creating and championing a living memorial that connects the three attack sites, educates future generations, and brings communities together through shared remembrance.” See my interview with WTAE here. You can also watch my interview on CBS21’s Face the State with host Joel D. Smith here. In the interview, I shared my experience serving alongside fellow Marines in the aftermath of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Annual Sharing & Caring Boat Ride
It was a pleasure to meet many veterans at the annual Sharing & Caring boat ride for hospitalized veterans on the Gateway Clipper. Thank you to all the organizations involved in this annual event and for the opportunity to speak and share stories with fellow veterans. We are grateful for their service to our country! See more photos from the event here. Veterans Breakfast Club Events
Thank you to those who attended the Veterans Breakfast Club events this past month at Christ Church at Grove Farm and Christ United Methodist Church in Bethel Park. These events featured veterans sharing their stories and connecting with each other over breakfast. All VBC breakfasts are now free of charge (unless otherwise noted) for anyone who would like to attend. Learn more about Veterans Breakfast Club here. See photos from the event at Christ Church at Grove Farm here. See more photos from the event at Christ United Methodist Church in Bethel Park here. Marine Corps Reserve Birthday
On Saturday, Aug. 29, we celebrated the 110th birthday of the Marine Corps Reserve. Thank you to all my fellow Marines for your service, and happy birthday to the United States Marine Corps Reserve! Veterans Benefits Assistance
On the second Tuesday of each month, my office hosts a veterans’ benefits expert from the American Legion. He is available to answer any questions or help solve issues a veteran may have with obtaining their benefits. If you would like to schedule a FREE appointment to receive assistance with your veterans’ benefits, please call my office at (412) 785-3070. New Law Connects Families with VA Burial Benefits
Under a new law, Act 42 of 2026, families of a deceased service person being buried or cremated in Pennsylvania after Sept. 18 will receive contact information for their county veterans affairs office from funeral directors and cemeteries. County directors of veterans affairs will also be notified by funeral directors and cemeteries within 96 hours of receiving the remains of a deceased service person. I was proud to vote for this new law that will help connect families with veterans’ resources to provide support in accessing benefits for which they might be eligible. $1.2 Billion in Infrastructure Improvements Approved by VA
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) approved $1.2 billion in VA infrastructure improvements which will be used by VA medical facilities to enhance operational capability and healthcare delivery for significant maintenance, replacements, and upgrades. This includes funds to 42 projects for Pennsylvania’s VA medical facilities including repairing fire and smoke dampers in Pittsburgh, replacing a roof in Coatesville, replacing domestic hot water tanks in Erie, renovating air conditioning in Lebanon, installing exterior security measures in Philadelphia, replacing a fire station roof in Butler, and more. Clinical Trials to Help Veterans with Depression and Alcohol Use Disorder
The VA announced a new clinical trial to evaluate psilocybin’s effectiveness and safety in treating major depression in veterans. Psilocybin is a classic hallucinogen and produced by more than 100 species of mushrooms worldwide. I’m proud to partner with Sens. Pennycuick (R-24) and Bartolotta (R-46) to sponsor legislation to ensure veterans here in Pennsylvania can access treatment for service-connected PTSD and Treatment Resistant Depression (TRD) with promising low-dose, psilocybin-assisted therapies. Learn more about the legislation here. The VA’s trial, Psilocybin Intervention for Veterans Overcoming Treatment-Resistant Depression, will enroll veterans with a diagnosis of treatment-resistant major depressive disorder and be conducted in five VA locations throughout the U.S., including Corporal Michael J. Crescenz VA Medical Center in Philadelphia. This follows the VA’s announcement of a clinical trial to evaluate the efficacy of GLP-1 treatment for alcohol use disorder. This clinical trial, Cessation or Reduction of Alcohol Consumption in Veterans, will be conducted in 18 locations throughout the U.S., including the Philadelphia VA Healthcare System. Upcoming Senior Expo
I’m glad to announce that my annual Senior Expo has been scheduled for Thursday, Oct. 8 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., at the Library Volunteer Fire Company located at 6581 Library Rd., South Park Township. There will be government agencies and senior citizen organizations on site as well as door prizes, free health screenings, refreshments, and more. This event is free and open to the public. I hope to see you there! Learn more about the event here or by calling my office at (412) 785-3070. Shareapy Military
Shareapy offers free virtual peer support for active-duty military, veterans, first responders, and their immediate family members. Once registered, you can:
There is no cost for eligible members. For more information and to sign up, click here. Tech Deals for Veterans
National POW/MIA Recognition DayToday, Sept. 18, is National POW/MIA Recognition Day, an opportunity to pay our respects to those who have been held captive by enemy forces. Their stories are powerful and full of courage, resilience, and grit. We owe them a debt of gratitude for their brave service to our country. I’m proud to partner with my colleagues and fellow veterans, Sens. Tracy Pennycuick, Cris Dush, Doug Mastriano, Greg Rothman, and Gene Yaw, to sponsor a resolution designating Sept. 18, 2026, as “POW/MIA Recognition Day” in Pennsylvania. Learn more about the resolution here. Veterans Suicide Awareness Month
September is Veterans Suicide Awareness Month, which recognizes the silent struggles many veterans face. Trauma, stress, depression, addiction, and loneliness are challenges no one should handle alone. Veterans deserve our unwavering support not only in recognition of their service, but also in addressing the burdens they may carry. To bring awareness to this issue, I’ve partnered with my colleagues and fellow veterans, Sens. Tracy Pennycuick, Gene Yaw, Greg Rothman, Doug Mastriano, and Cris Dush, to introduce a resolution designating September 2026 as Veterans Suicide Prevention & Awareness Month in Pennsylvania. Learn more about the resolution here. If you or someone you know is struggling, please dial 988 – help is always available! Learn more about helpful resources here. National Veterans of Foreign Wars DaySept. 29 is National Veterans of Foreign Wars Day where we celebrate and honor the contributions of the VFW organization to veterans and their families across the country. The VFW traces its roots back to Sept. 29, 1899, where it was first established by a group of 13 veterans from the Spanish-American War and the Philippine Insurrection. Since its inception, the VFW has not only fostered fellowship among veterans of overseas conflicts, but it’s also been a powerful veterans’ advocate in Washington D.C. where representatives fought for reforms to support our nation’s heroes. Thank you to all our local VFWs for furthering the organization’s mission “to honor the dead by helping the living” and to all VFW members for answering the call to serve our country. Gold Star Mother’s & Family DayEvery year, on the last Sunday in September, we recognize Gold Star Mother’s & Family Day to honor those who have lost loved ones in service to our country. Mothers, fathers, and families of fallen military service members carry an impossible burden. My heart goes out to them on this day and every day as they deal with their grief. If you know anyone in your life who is a member of a Gold Star Family, please reach out to them this month to let them know that their sacrifices are not in vain and that they are not alone. Upcoming Events in the 37th District
Looking for things in the area to do over the next few weeks? Check out some local events across the 37th District!
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. |
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