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In this Update:

• Highlighting Veteran Suicide Prevention and Awareness Month
• My Bill to Create a License Plate to Honor Green Star Families Passes Senate
• State Veterans Commission Meeting
• Accelerating Access to Veterans’ Benefits and Employment Opportunities
• Veteran Employment Networking Event **For Western PA Members
• Fundraising for the Valor Clinic Foundation **For Northeast PA Members
• Veterans Symposium **For Southwestern PA Members
• Shareapy Military
• Discount on YouTube TV’s NFL Sunday Ticket
• Fall Home Improvement Deals

Highlighting Veteran Suicide Prevention and Awareness Month

Last week, I held a press conference with Sens. Devlin Robinson (R-37); Chris Dush (R-25) and Gene Yaw (R-23) to highlight Veteran Suicide Prevention and Awareness Month.

As a 26-year U.S. Army combat veteran, I’ve seen the struggles our soldiers, sailors, airmen, and marines face from the effects of military service. While suicide is a public health issue throughout the United States, sadly, veterans are 1.5 times more likely to die by suicide than those who never served in the military, and the risk factor for female veterans is even higher at 2.2 times. In Pennsylvania alone, we lose about 250 veterans per year by suicide. These men and women have selflessly served our country but have succumbed to the insurmountable grief often associated with high exposure to trauma, stress, burnout, addiction, isolation, unemployment, homelessness, and difficulties reintegrating into civilian life.

Our service members, veterans and their families are valued and cared about, and they’re not alone. That’s why I introduced Senate Resolution 359 to promote Veteran Suicide Prevention and Awareness Month.

Here is the video of the press conference held earlier this week.

If you are a veteran in crisis, or are concerned about one, free and confidential support is available 24/7. Please call the Veterans Crisis Line at 988, then press 1.

My Bill to Create a License Plate to Honor Green Star Families Passes Senate

My legislation to create a license plate to honor Green Star Families in this Commonwealth passed the Senate. Green Star Veterans are veterans lost to suicide.

To recognize Green Star Families, Senate Bill 1438 will make a Green Star Family plate available to families who lost a veteran to suicide as a result of their military service and will display the Green Star. These tragic deaths leave their families grieving, and without proper recognition for their loved one who served our country. Green Star Families work tirelessly to advocate for better understanding of service-related mental health challenges, and to fight for proper recognition of the Green Star Service Banner, a symbol to honor the families of veterans who die by suicide. Increasing awareness of veteran suicide is essential to encourage earlier intervention and support.

Applicants must provide proper documentation and a fee of $28 to the Department of Transportation (PennDOT). The plate will serve not only as a symbol of remembrance, but also as a visible reminder of the ongoing mental health challenges faced by many veterans.

State Veterans Commission Meeting

The State Veterans Commission (SVC) will hold its next regular meeting on Friday, Oct. 2 at 10 a.m. at Fort Indiantown Gap. The SVC advises the adjutant general and the DMVA on all matters related to the status, welfare, benefits, employment and support of veterans and veterans’ programs in Pennsylvania. The public is welcome to attend the meeting either by phone or virtually.

• To dial-in by phone: (267) 332-8737; Phone conference ID: 654 091 486#.
• To join via Microsoft Teams: Click here to join the meeting.

Accelerating Access to Veterans’ Benefits and Employment Opportunities

Under a recent executive order, federal agencies must update their technology systems and policies to give veterans quicker access to the benefits they earned through their military service.

The Accelerating Access to Veterans’ Benefits and Employment Opportunities Executive Order directs the Departments of War and Veterans Affairs to improve their sharing of military personnel and medical records from the time an individual enlists until they no longer require veterans’ benefits. They must also streamline the application process for and access to benefits for veterans.

The order also requires updates of the Transition Assistance Program and other veteran workforce programs to ensure service members leaving active military service are either connected to a job or enrolled in career and technical education, as well as connected with appropriate veterans’ representatives to assist them with applying for healthcare, disability, home loan, job placement or education benefits.

Shareapy Military

Shareapy offers free virtual peer support for active-duty military, veterans, first responders and their immediate family members. Once registered, you can:

• Join weekly virtual “Get Togethers”
• Connect with fellow veterans and family members
• Access wellness resources and community programming

There is no cost for eligible members. For more information and to sign up, click here.

Discount on YouTube TV’s NFL Sunday Ticket

YouTube TV offers NFL Sunday Tickets for $198 for the military community verified through ID.me. NFL Sunday Ticket gives fans the ability to watch their favorite NFL teams’ out-of-market Sunday games, enjoy unlimited streams at home, view key plays and watch up to four live games on one screen in multiview.

Fall Home Improvement Deals

• Lowe’s offers 10% off for active-duty military, veterans and spouses verified through ID.me.
• The Home Depot offers 10% off for active service members, veterans and their spouses verified through their mobile app.