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In this Update:

• A Special Thanks to All Veterans
• My Way to Say Thank You
• Honoring Visually Impaired Veterans with a Capitol Monument
• DMVA Now Accepting Grant Applications for Programs Benefiting Veterans
• Increases Begin for Certain Veterans Affairs Benefits
• 2026 Veterans Benefits Guide Now Available
• Penn State Welcomes Veterans to Military Appreciation Events
• Fall Outerwear Discounts

A Special Thanks to All Veterans

We set aside Veterans Day to acknowledge and celebrate our fellow citizens who answered the call to serve in the military, securing and defending freedom we enjoy year-round. We owe a debt of gratitude to veterans locally and across this great nation.

One way we show our appreciation is through the Veterans Trust Fund, which supports organizations that assist Pennsylvania veterans and their families in need of housing, financial help, food, training, recovery and more. Find out how you can donate to this fund here.

My Way to Say Thank You

I recently held my Fifth Annual Appreciation Barbecue, which was another wonderful opportunity to say something that can never be said enough: thank you to the Veterans, Active Duty Members and families of the 46th Senatorial District for your service and sacrifice. Seeing everyone come out, enjoy some good food and spend time together means so much to me.

A special thank you to Troy Hellen, a Desert Storm Veteran, his wife Lori and their daughter Mackenzie of What’s Smokin’ BBQ for once again doing an incredible job serving up the food. I am also grateful to VFW Memorial Park Post 764 for donating cupcakes, and to DJ JK, John Koval, who once again volunteered his talents to keep the music going throughout the evening.

Honoring Visually Impaired Veterans with a Capitol Monument

A Braille Flag monument honoring veterans with visual impairments will be installed at the Pennsylvania Capitol Building under a new law we passed.

The Braille Flag was created to honor the service of veterans who have been left with lifelong visual disabilities. Under Act 110 of 2026, the monument will be made of bronze and include the Pledge of Allegiance in Braille.

The display is 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 Act 110 here.

DMVA Now Accepting Grant Applications for Programs Benefiting Veterans

Non-profit organizations, veteran service organizations (VSOs) and county directors of veteran affairs can apply now for 2027-28 grant funding through the Veterans’ Trust Fund for programs and services benefiting Pennsylvania veterans.

Eligible non-profit VSOs and organizations with a mission of serving Pennsylvania veterans can request up to $40,000, with priority for projects addressing mental health and behavioral health, transportation or employment.

County directors of veterans affairs or the Pennsylvania Association of County Directors of Veterans Affairs may be eligible for up to $15,000 for new, innovative programs, particularly those focusing on expanded services and direct programming.

Grant applications must be received no later than 2 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 18.

Interested applicants are encouraged to join a Microsoft Teams meeting on Thursday, Nov. 12, at 11 a.m. where an overview of the grant guidelines, timeline and application process will be provided. There will be an opportunity for questions at the end of the meeting. Slides from the meeting will be made available upon request for those unable to attend.

Interested parties can email for more information.

Increases Begin for Certain Veterans Affairs Benefits

Recipients of benefits received through three programs administered by the VA will see increases from October 2026 through October 2027.

Full-time students using the Montgomery GI Bill or Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance (DEA) for college degree programs and trade or vocational schools can receive the following as of Oct. 1:

• Montgomery GI Bill (3+ years of service): $2,601 (up from $2,518) per month.
• Montgomery GI Bill (2–3 years of service): $2,110 (up from $2,043) per month.
• DEA (Chapter 35): $1,621 (up from $1,574) per month.

Family members can receive the following in burial assistance for a veteran who dies on or after Oct. 1, 2026, due to a non-service-connected death:

• Burial allowance: $1,032 (up from $1,002).
• Plot: $1,032 (up from $1,002).

Veterans with certain service-connected disabilities preventing them from driving can receive up to the following toward the purchase of a vehicle with adaptive equipment beginning Oct. 1:

• Specially equipped vehicle: $27,908.90 (up from $27,074.90).

2026 Veterans Benefits Guide Now Available

The newest addition of the 2026 VA Federal Benefits Guide for Veterans, Dependents, Survivors and Caregivers is now available online.

The guide provides a comprehensive list of VA programs and benefits, including compensation, life insurance, pension and fiduciary services, education benefits, economic development and employment, home loan guaranty programs and housing assistance and mental health resources.                                                

Penn State Welcomes Veterans to Military Appreciation Events

Penn State University will celebrate the 15^th anniversary of its annual Military Appreciation Week, Nov. 7 -14. Veterans, service members and military families are invited to attend several events and be recognized for their service.

Veterans and service members can attend the Men’s Basketball Military Appreciation Game against Mercyhurst at 6:30 p.m. on Nov. 12 at the Bryce Jordan Center.

On Nov. 14, veterans and service members are invited to the Military Appreciation Football Game against Minnesota at Beaver Stadium. The game time is TBA, tickets are required and those who wish to help unfurl the American Flag must complete the participation form by Nov. 6. Additionally, military families can attend the Military Appreciation Tailgate three hours before kickoff at the Bryce Jordan Center, with food, family-friendly activities and special guests. Football game tickets are not required.

Penn State Men’s Hockey will host its annual Military Appreciation Game against Princeton at 7 p.m. on Nov. 27 at Pegula Ice Arena. Veterans and service members are also recognized during every men’s hockey game through the team’s Ice Hockey Community Hero program. Selected honorees receive two tickets to an upcoming game and are recognized for their service.

Fall Outerwear Discounts

• Carhartt offers a 15% discount for active-duty and retired military when verified through me.
• Columbia Sportswear offers a 10% discount for active and retired military when verified through me.