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If you know a veteran, please forward this issue to them (you can sign up for my mission reports here). There are some important updates, resources and information they can use.

In this Update:

• A Special Thanks to All Veterans
• Ensuring U.S. and Pennsylvania Flags Are Made in America
• Expanding Eligibility for Free Hunting Licenses for Disabled Veterans
• Federal Government Shutdown Veterans Programs Update
• Penn State University

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.

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:

• 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.

Penn State University

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. 

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