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In this Update:
* November is Veterans and Military Families Appreciation Month
* Senate VAEP Committee Hearing at Vet Con
* Senate Approves My Bill to Require U.S.-Made Flags
* Expanding Eligibility for Free Hunting Licenses for Disabled Veterans
* Federal Government Shutdown Veterans Programs Update
* Pittsburgh Veterans Day Parade
* Philadelphia Veterans Day Parade
* Lancaster Veterans Day Concert
* Lehigh Valley Chamber Veterans Day Recognition Ceremony
* Penn State University
* SteelStacks Veterans Day Event
* Veterans Day Deals

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** November is Veterans and Military Families Appreciation Month
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November is Veterans and Military Families Appreciation Month—a time to honor the courage, commitment, and sacrifice of those who have served our nation and the loved ones who stand beside them. This month and every month, we thank all who wear the uniform and to the families who are their support.


** Senate VAEP Committee Hearing at Vet Con
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[link removed] Pennsylvania continues to have the 3rd largest National Guard Association in the nation! Strengthening the National Guard is vital to Pennsylvania’s emergency preparedness, domestic security, and support for veterans. Recruitment and retention directly impact the Guard’s ability to respond to natural disasters, civil-support missions, and national defense tasks.


** Senate Approves My Bill to Require U.S.-Made Flags
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[link removed] The Pennsylvania Senate unanimously approved my bill, Senate Bill 784 that ensures every American and Pennsylvania flag purchased by the Commonwealth is made entirely in the United States using American materials. The measure adds a new chapter to Title 62 (Procurement) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, requiring the Department of General Services (DGS) to procure only flags that are both produced and constructed from materials sourced within the United States. Each flag must also carry a label reading “Made in America.” The American flag is more than just a symbol — it represents the sacrifices of generations of patriots and the freedoms we hold dear. It’s simply unacceptable that taxpayer dollars are being used to buy flags manufactured overseas, often in nations that do not share our values. Senate Bill 784 restores integrity and pride to this simple but meaningful act of patriotism. The legislation reflects a growing bipartisan
effort to support domestic manufacturing and promote American-made products within state procurement practices. While the fiscal impact on the Commonwealth is expected to be minimal, the bill’s supporters note that it provides a strong signal of commitment to American workers, Pennsylvania businesses, and U.S. industry. Under Senate Bill 784, all future flag purchases made by the Department of General Services for public display must comply with the “Made in America” standards beginning 60 days after enactment. This is a commonsense, pro-American, pro-worker bill. It sends a clear message: Pennsylvania stands with the men and women who build, produce, and serve this nation. The bill now heads to the House of Representatives for consideration. View my remarks here ([link removed]) .


** Expanding Eligibility for Free Hunting Licenses for Disabled Veterans
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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 ([link removed]) 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
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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.


** Pittsburgh Veterans Day Parade
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The Pittsburgh Veterans Day Parade has been held annually since 1919 and will take place this year on Saturday, Nov. 8 at 10:30 a.m. The parade will begin at the intersection of 10th and Liberty Avenue and proceed along Liberty Avenue. The parade will feature veterans, military units, civic and youth groups, vintage and military vehicles, businesses and more.


** Philadelphia Veterans Day Parade
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The 11th Annual Philadelphia Veterans Parade & Festival will be held on Sunday, Nov. 9 from 12 to 4 p.m., with the parade starting at 12 p.m. from 21st Street and Benjamin Franklin Parkway and concluding at grandstand seating at the Philadelphia Art Museum. The festival will run from noon to 4 p.m. at Eakins Oval, and will include food trucks, DJs and bands, veteran-owned businesses and veteran service organizations.


** Lancaster Veterans Day Concert
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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.”


** Lehigh Valley Chamber Veterans Day Recognition Ceremony
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The Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce will host a Veterans Day Recognition Ceremony on Tuesday, Nov. 11 at 11 a.m. at Lehigh Valley Hospital – Cedar Crest in the Kasych Family Pavilion at 1200 S. Cedar Crest Blvd in Allentown. The event will honor Lehigh Valley veterans and feature a keynote address from Dr. Baligh Yehia, president and executive vice president of Jefferson Health. Veterans who RSVP will receive an exclusive gift, and light refreshments will be served following the program.


** Penn State University
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Penn State will be hosting multiple events over Veterans Day weekend, including:
* Military Appreciation Tailgate on Saturday, Nov. 8 at the Bryce Jordan Center three hours prior to the Penn State vs. Indiana football game. The event is open to military families. The kickoff time has not yet been announced.
* Marine Corps Birthday Celebration on Monday, Nov. 10 in the Students Veterans Center at 100 Ritenour Building. This event is open to the public. The time has not yet been announced.
* Veterans Day Breakfast on Tuesday, Nov. 11 at Breakfast Heritage Hall at HUB from 9-11 a.m. This event is only open to Penn State students and employees.
* Veterans Day Ceremony on Tuesday, Nov. 11 at Old Main Plaza at 11:11 a.m. This event is open to the public.


** SteelStacks Veterans Day Event
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ArtsQuest, with Embassy Bank and Phoebe Ministries, will host a Veterans Day celebration on Tuesday, Nov. 11 at 6 p.m., at the Frank Banko Alehouse Cinemas in the ArtsQuest Center at SteelStacks, 101 Founders Way in Bethlehem. The event will include a panel discussion featuring Veteran Richard Mann, moderated by Frank Gunter of Lehigh University. Following the discussion, there will be a screening of Rescue Dawn.


** Veterans Day Deals
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Applebee’s Grill & Bar ([link removed]) – Select entrees available for free lunch or dinner and a $5 gift card for a future visit within three weeks for veterans and active-duty military on Veterans Day.

Chili’s ([link removed]) – Select dine-in meals available for free to all veterans and active-duty military members on Nov. 11 at participating Chili’s. Military ID is required.

Hershey’s Chocolate World (Dauphin County) ([link removed]) – Veterans Day Celebration on Nov. 7 from 2 to 4 p.m. Military veterans can receive a 25% discount on retail purchases throughout Chocolate World when presenting a Military ID.

McCormick & Schmick’s (Allegheny & Philadelphia Counties) ([link removed]) – Select entrees available for 50% off for U.S. veterans, active-duty military, and Gold Star parents and spouses on Nov. 9.

Shady Maple Smorgasbord & Gift Shop (Lancaster County) ([link removed]) – 50% off any meal and 25% off gift shop items for veterans and active-duty military on Veterans Day.

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