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In this Update:

• State Budget Supports Veterans and Their Families
• New Law Connects Families of Deceased Services Members with Support
• AMVETS Hanover Post 59 Celebrates 80th Anniversary
• Honoring Veterans with Visual Impairments with a Capitol Monument
• Addressing Veteran Homelessness
• Milford VFW Hosts Veterans Expo
• VA and Steak ‘N Shake Promote Veterans Benefits
• Free Ray-Ban Meta AI Glasses for Blind Veterans
• Wilkes-Barre VA Residents Enjoy Harveys Lake American Legion Picnic
• No-Cost TSA Precheck for Eligible Veterans

State Budget Supports Veterans and Their Families

On July 12, we finalized the 2026-27 state budget that included creating and enhancing 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 die or died in service during a period of war or armed conflict.
• Providing a 10.2% increase for the Amputee and Paralyzed Veterans’ Pension, which gives eligible veterans a $150 monthly pension.
• 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. 

New Law Connects Families of Deceased Services Members with Support

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 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 access benefits for which they might be eligible, and their contact information can be found here. 

AMVETS Hanover Post 59 Celebrates 80th Anniversary

It was a privilege to participate in AMVETS Hanover Post 59’s time capsule burial as they observed their 80^th anniversary. The capsule, sealed with memories and milestones, will remain unopened until 2046, when they celebrate 100 years.

Over the years, AMVETS Post 59’s members and volunteers have stepped into key leadership roles and contributed tremendously to the post’s growth, service and development. Their commitment continues to shape and strengthen the community they proudly serve.

Honoring Veterans with Visual Impairments 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, 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 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.

Milford VFW Hosts Veterans Expo

The Milford VFW Veterans Expo gave my office the opportunity to connect directly with those who have served. The event provided a wide range of information, services, and support for veterans and their families, creating a welcoming space for attendees to connect with resources. Veterans had the opportunity to meet directly with the Pike County Veterans Affairs office for help navigating available programs and getting answers to their questions.

VA and Steak ‘N Shake Promote Veterans Benefits

VA has 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.

Wilkes-Barre VA Residents Enjoy Harveys Lake American Legion Picnic

The Harveys Lake American Legion Post 967 hosted a picnic for veterans from the Wilkes-Barre VA Medical Center. They spent time together enjoying a classic cookout, live music, and bingo, all made possible by the dedication of legion members, local businesses and volunteers.

Thank you to those whose time and energy made this gathering such a meaningful experience for everyone involved.

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.