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In this update:

• Thank You to Those Who Have Served
• York County Veterans Celebration and Breakfast
• Veterans Day Discounts and Special Offers
• Pennsylvania Expands Access to Veterans’ Benefits
• 44^th Annual Veterans Day Program at Indiantown Gap National Cemetery
• 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 
• November Satellite Office Hours

IMPORTANT NOTICE – My offices will be closed in observance of the following November holidays and will reopen the next business day:

• Nov. 11 – Veterans Day
• Nov. 26-27 – Thanksgiving

Virtual services will continue to be accessible via my website.

Thank You to Those Who Have Served

In honor of Veterans Day, observed Nov. 11, I recorded a personal message expressing my gratitude to those who have served. I invite you to take a moment to watch as I share what this day means to me and offer my heartfelt thanks to the men and women who have defended our freedoms.

To all our veterans, thank you for your service and sacrifice. Your commitment to our nation will never be forgotten.

York County Veterans Celebration and Breakfast

York County will honor local veterans during its annual Veterans Celebration and Breakfast on Saturday, Nov. 7, in the Mid-Atlantic Industrial Equipment Memorial Hall West at the York County Expo Center, 335 Carlisle Road, York.

Breakfast will be served at 8 a.m., followed by the program at 8:30 a.m. This year’s keynote speaker will be Col. Andrew J. Bogusky, U.S. Air Force.

Veterans, their families and members of the community are encouraged to attend this special morning of recognition and appreciation.

For more information, visit the York County Department of Veterans Affairs webpage or call 717-771-9218.

Veterans Day Discounts and Special Offers

Veterans Day is an opportunity for businesses across the country to thank those who have served by offering free meals, discounts and special retail offers. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs has compiled a list of available offers for your reference.

Offers may vary by state and location and are subject to change. Please verify eligibility and availability directly with the business or organization before visiting.

Pennsylvania Expands Access to Veterans’ Benefits

November is National Veterans and Military Families Appreciation Month, and in recognition of this, Pennsylvania is expanding access to state veterans’ benefits through the most extensive regulatory updates in 35 years. The Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA) estimates nearly 650,000 veterans could benefit from changes that broaden eligibility, update income limits and account for cost-of-living expenses.

The updates affect several programs, including the Disabled Veterans’ Real Estate Tax Exemption, Amputee and Paralyzed Veterans’ Pension, Blind Veterans’ Pension, Veterans’ Temporary Assistance and Educational Gratuity.

You can find updated application documents for these programs here. The DMVA suggests veterans contact their local county director of veterans affairs, or any certified veteran service officer to discuss how these regulations might impact their benefits.

Indiantown Gap National Cemetery to Host 44th Annual Veterans Day Program

The public is invited to attend the 44th Annual Veterans Day Program at Indiantown Gap National Cemetery on Sunday, Nov. 8, at 2 p.m. The program will honor the service and sacrifices of the men and women who have worn our nation’s uniform.

Featured participants include keynote speaker CW2 William E. Tobin, USA (Ret.), John Spruyt, director of Indiantown Gap National Cemetery, and Robert J. DeSosa, who will serve as master of ceremonies.

The program will be held rain or shine, so attendees are encouraged to dress for the weather.

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.

November Satellite Office Hours

Need help with a state government service or have a question about an issue affecting you or your community? My satellite offices will be open throughout November, giving residents another convenient way to connect with my team and access assistance with state-related issues closer to home.

York City Satellite Office
First and third Wednesdays
9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
York County Administrative Center, Suite 216
28 E. Market St., York

Cumberland County Satellite Office
Second Thursday
9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Lower Allen Township Municipal Services Center
2233 Gettysburg Road, Camp Hill

Manchester Satellite Office
Third Thursday
9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Manchester Township Municipal Building
3200 Farmtrail Road, York

Please take note of the specific days and hours for each location before stopping by. My team and I look forward to assisting you in your community throughout November.