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In this Update:

• Next Veteran Service Officer Day is November 12
• Ensuring U.S. and Pennsylvania Flags Are Made in America
• Expanding Eligibility for Free Hunting Licenses for Disabled Veterans
• Federal Government Shutdown Veterans Programs Update
• Lancaster Veterans Day Concert

Next Veteran Service Officer Day is November 12

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 Wednesday, November 12 at my Strasburg district office.

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

Ensuring U.S. and Pennsylvania Flags Are Made in America

All Pennsylvania and U.S. flags purchased by the commonwealth for public display will be made in the United States under legislation approved by the Senate. Senate Bill 784, which requires the flags to be labeled with “Made in the USA”, was sent to the House of Representatives.

Expanding Eligibility for Free Hunting Licenses for Disabled Veterans

Legislation to expand eligibility for free Pennsylvania hunting licenses to veterans who are 100% disabled due to service-connected injuries outside of combat was recently introduced. Senate Bill 1020 provides discounted $1 hunting licenses to veterans who are partially disabled due to injuries incurred through training, non-combat operations, peacetime duties or other hazardous activities.

Federal Government Shutdown Veterans Programs Update

Despite the federal government shutdown on Oct. 1, 2025, the following operations of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) are functioning as normal:

• VA Medical Centers, Outpatient Clinics and Vet Centers;
• VA benefits will also continue to be processed and delivered;
• Burials at VA national cemeteries, as well as processing of applications for headstones, markers, and burial benefits;
• Board of Veterans’ Appeals;
• Call Centers; and
• Suicide prevention programs, homelessness services and caregiver support.

Operations which are unavailable due to the shutdown include:

• Transition program assistance and career counseling;
• GI Bill hotline and Memorial Products Applicant Assistance unit;
• VA benefits regional offices;
• Public Affairs and unfunded outreach to Veterans, including social media, VetResources emails and responses to press inquiries;
• Grounds maintenance or placement of permanent headstones at VA cemeteries;
• Processing of pre-need burial at VA cemeteries;
• Printing of new Presidential Memorial Certificates; and
• Outreach to state, county, tribal, municipal, faith-based and community-based partners by the VA Central Office.

Lancaster Veterans Day Concert

The New Holland Band will host a Veterans Day Concert on Tuesday, Nov. 11 at 7 p.m. at the Chapel at Garden Spot Village in New Hope, Lancaster. Music will include selections popular during different eras of U.S. military service. Veterans may attend for free using the promo code “THANKS.”

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