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In this Update:

• Next Veteran Service Officer Day Set for September 10
• Honoring America’s 250^th Birthday at My Senior Expo
• New Law Connects Families with VA Burial Benefits
• State Veterans Commission Meeting
• $1.2 Billion in Infrastructure Improvements Approved by VA
• Shareapy Military
• Tech Deals for Veterans

Next Veteran Service Officer Day Set for September 10

My office is continuing to host Veteran Service Officer Days every month to help veterans who have questions or need help applying for benefits they have earned through their service. The next event will take place on Thursday, September 10 at my Strasburg district office.

Community residents can schedule an appointment by calling my office at 717-397-1309.

Honoring America’s 250^th Birthday at My Senior Expo

In addition to featuring approximately 60 exhibitors providing information and services of interest to older community residents, my 2026 Senior Expo included special displays honoring our nation’s 250^th anniversary.

Vets Salute 21 Honor Guard kicked off the event with a beautiful flag-raising ceremony, followed by the singing of our National Anthem and the Pledge of Allegiance.

The expo also included a special exhibit detailing the evolution of the American Flag, as well as a special display of the Braille Flag we hope to install at the Pennsylvania Capitol Building soon to honor veterans with visual impairments.

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.

This will help connect families with this local veterans’ resource which will be able to help them access benefits for which they might be eligible.

State Veterans Commission Meeting

The State Veterans Commission (SVC) will hold its next regular meeting on Friday, Sept. 11 at 10 a.m. at Fort Indiantown Gap. The SVC advises the adjutant general and the DMVA on all matters pertaining to the status, welfare, benefits, employment and support of veterans and veterans’ programs in Pennsylvania. The public is welcome to attend either by phone or virtually.

• To dial-in by phone: (267) 332-8737; Phone conference ID: 654 091 486#
• To join via Microsoft Teams: Click here to join the meeting.

$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 replacing a roof in Coatesville, replacing domestic hot water tanks in Erie, renovating air conditioning in Lebanon, installing exterior security measures in Philadelphia, repairing fire and smoke dampers in Pittsburgh, replacing a fire station roof in Butler and more.

Shareapy Military

Shareapy offers free virtual peer support for active-duty military, veterans, first responders and their immediate family members. Once registered, you can:

• Join weekly virtual “Get Togethers”
• Connect with fellow veterans and family members
• Access wellness resources and community programming

There is no cost for eligible members. For more information and to sign up, click here.

Tech Deals for Veterans

• Apple offers a 10% discount through their Veterans and Military Purchase Program when verified through ID.me.
• HP offers up to 40% off for veterans verified through ID.me.