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In this update:
Important Notice: My offices will be closed in observance of the following November holidays and will reopen the next business day:
With Gratitude This Veterans Day
With Veterans Day fast approaching, I’ve been reflecting on the incredible men and women who have served whom I’ve had the privilege to meet during my first year as your senator. Each conversation and story has reminded me of the selfless courage, dedication and sacrifice that protect our freedoms. I am deeply grateful for the chance to meet so many of you, hear your stories and celebrate your service. Your dedication and sacrifices have strengthened our communities and our nation, and it is an honor to stand alongside you and represent so many who have worn our nation’s uniform with pride. A Morning to Thank Our Veterans
This morning, I joined Rep. Joe D’Orsie in hosting a Veterans Appreciation Breakfast at the Eagle Fire Company in Mt. Wolf to honor local veterans for their courage, sacrifice and service. The event drew a full house of veterans, their families and community members who came together to celebrate and express gratitude to those who have worn our nation’s uniform. Maj. Gen. Michael E. Wegscheider, deputy adjutant general – Army of the Pennsylvania National Guard, was our featured speaker and shared inspiring insights on leadership and service. Attendees also connected with the Mobile Veterans Service Officer Outreach Team, which provided valuable resources for veterans and their families. Thank you to our veterans for your service and to everyone who attended and made this morning so special. 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 shut-down on Oct. 1, 2025, the following operations of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) are functioning as normal:
Operations which are unavailable due to the shutdown include:
Pittsburgh Veterans Day Parade
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
The 11th Annual Philadelphia Veterans Parade & Festival will be held on Sunday, Nov. 9 with the parade starting at 12 noon 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
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
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 Veterans Events
Penn State will be hosting multiple events over Veterans Day weekend, including:
SteelStacks Veterans Day Event
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
Applebee’s Grill & Bar – 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 – 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) – 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) – 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) – 50% off any meal and 25% off gift shop items for veterans and active-duty military on Veterans Day. Upcoming Veterans Events in Cumberland and York Counties
This section highlights veterans events my office has been informed about but is not a complete listing. Inclusion of an event is for informational purposes only and does not constitute an endorsement. If you would like to submit a veterans event for Cumberland and York counties, please do so by completing our online submission form. NOVEMBER Saturday, Nov. 8 – York County Celebration & Breakfast Saturday, Nov. 8 – White Elephant Auction & Dinner Saturday, Nov. 8 – USO Dance & DJ Lutz Sunday, Nov. 9 – Cash Bingo to Benefit Veterans Programs Sunday, Nov. 9 – Veterans Celebration and Breakfast Sunday, Nov. 9 – Bingo Sunday, Nov. 9 – Poker Monday, Nov. 10 – Texas Hold’em Tuesday, Nov. 11 – Veterans Celebration Brunch Tuesday, Nov. 11 – Entertainment: DJ Lutz & Trivia Wednesday, Nov. 12 – Trivia Night Wednesday, Nov. 12 – Trivia Thursday, Nov. 13 – Music Bingo Friday, Nov. 14 – Entertainment: Vertigo Vultures Friday, Nov. 14 – Meat Raffle Friday, Nov. 14 – Entertainment: Vanishing Point Saturday, Nov. 15 – Cash Bash Saturday, Nov. 15 – Entertainment: DJ Lutz Sunday, Nov. 16 – Bingo Sunday, Nov. 16 – Poker & Pool Tournament Monday, Nov. 17 – Music Bingo Tuesday, Nov. 17 – Texas Hold’em Tuesday, Nov. 18 – Entertainment: DJ Lutz & Trivia Wednesday, Nov. 19 – Trivia Wednesday, Nov. 19 – Trivia Night Wednesday, Nov. 19 – Trivia Night Wednesday, Nov 19 – Trivia Thursday, Nov. 20 – Music Bingo Friday, Nov. 21 – Band Night Ft. STEEL Friday, Nov. 21 – Meat Raffle Friday, Nov. 21 – Bingo Night Friday, Nov. 21 – Entertainment: Smooth Opinion Saturday, Nov. 22 – Annual Bake Auction Saturday, Nov. 22 – Entertainment: DJ RJ Moody Saturday, Nov. 22 – Glow Party: DJ Jason Saturday, Nov. 22 – Entertainment: DJ Moody Monday, Nov. 24 – Cornhole Monday, Nov. 24 – Texas Hold’em Tuesday, Nov. 25 – Entertainment: DJ Lutz & Trivia Wednesday, Nov. 26 – Band Night Ft. Cannon Fire Wednesday, Nov. 26 – Trivia Night Wednesday, Nov. 26 – Entertainment: DJ Wednesday, Nov. 26 – Entertainment: Triple Shot Thursday, Nov. 27 – Thanksgiving Buffet Friday, Nov. 28 – Meat Raffle Friday, Nov. 28 – Ladies Night w/ DJ Anton Saturday, Nov. 29 – Entertainment: DJ Voltage & Karaoke DECEMBER Friday, Dec. 5 – Meat Raffle Friday, Dec. 5 – Bingo Night Saturday, Dec. 6 – Music Bingo Friday, Dec. 12 – Entertainment: Nick Ferraro and the Allstars Friday, Dec. 12 – Meat Raffle Saturday, Dec. 13 – Cookies with Santa Monday, Dec. 15 – Music Bingo Wednesday, Dec. 17 – Trivia Friday, Dec. 19 – Entertainment: Soul Cellar Friday, Dec. 19 – Bingo Night Friday, Dec. 19 – Meat Raffle Saturday, Dec. 20 – Breakfast with Santa Wednesday, Dec. 31 – Entertainment: Vanishing Point JANUARY Friday, Jan 2 – Bingo Night Friday, Jan 16 – Bingo Night Friday, Jan. 30 – Bingo Night |
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