Senator Keefer E-Newsletter

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In this update:

  • Remembering the Sacrifice of Korean War Veterans
  • Springettsbury Township Park to Host Special Concert Honoring Veterans
  • Salute to Service Night at WellSpan Park
  • New Law Connects Families of Deceased Services Members with Support
  • Honoring Veterans with Visual Impairments with a Capitol Monument
  • Addressing Veteran Homelessness
  • VA and Steak ‘N Shake Promote Veterans Benefits
  • Free Ray-Ban Meta AI Glasses for Blind Veterans
  • No-Cost TSA Precheck for Eligible Veterans

Remembering the Sacrifice of Korean War Veterans

First picture is a group picture of Sen. Dawn Keefer with attendees of the 73rd Commemoration Anniversary of the Korean War Armistice at the Shiloh American Legion 791 in Dover, PA. Second picture is Sen. Keefer speaking at the event.

Korean War Armistice Day serves as an important reminder of the courage and sacrifice of the more than 1.7 million Americans who served during the Korean War. This past week, I was grateful for the opportunity to attend the 73rd Commemoration Anniversary of the Korean War Armistice at the Shiloh American Legion 791 in Dover, where I joined Korean War veterans, members of the Korean American community and local leaders in honoring those who served.

The event provided a meaningful opportunity to recognize the bravery and dedication of these veterans and reflect on the lasting impact of their service in defending freedom. Their sacrifices should never be forgotten.

Springettsbury Township Park to Host Special Concert Honoring Veterans

a concert at Springettsbury Township Park Amphitheater.

Music and patriotism will take center stage Saturday, Aug. 15, at Springettsbury Township Park as the community comes together to show appreciation for our nation’s veterans and celebrate America’s 250th year.

The Springettsbury Township Park Amphitheater, 1501 Mt. Zion Road, York, will host the United States Air Force Heritage of America Band from 7 – 8:30 p.m. The seven-member popular music ensemble will perform a variety of genres, including rock, pop, country and R&B. The concert is free and open to the community.

This special concert is a wonderful opportunity to enjoy live music while coming together as a community to recognize the service and sacrifice of our veterans and celebrate 250 years of American history.

Salute to Service Night at WellSpan Park

A close-up of a baseball laying on a baseball field.

Service members and veterans are invited to Salute to Service Night with the York Revolution on Wednesday, Aug. 19, at 6:30 p.m. at WellSpan Park. It’s a great opportunity to enjoy an evening of baseball while being recognized and celebrated for your service to our country.

Service members and veterans can receive a free game ticket and food voucher, with food vouchers available for pickup at the ticket office Will Call window on game day. Additional family members can join in the fun with discounted $10 tickets.

When purchasing tickets, add the total number of tickets to your cart and use the discount drop-down option beside each ticket to designate service member tickets as free.

New Law Connects Families of Deceased Services Members with Support

flag folded on top of a casket.

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

Honoring Veterans with Visual Impairments with a Capitol Monument

Braille Flag 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

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs seal on building.

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.

VA and Steak ‘N Shake Promote Veterans Benefits

burger on top of American flag.

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

Ray-Ban Meta AI glasses.

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.

No-Cost TSA Precheck for Eligible Veterans

Picture of TSA PreCheck lanes at airport.

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.

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