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In this Update:

• State Veterans Commission Meeting
• VA Moves to Better Ensure the Second Amendment Rights of Veterans
• Improving Access to Education and Training Benefits
• Combat Stigma: Battle Within
• An Evening with WWII P-47 Pilot Alan Shapiro
• Veterans Meetup and Workshop
• Pennsylvania Veterans Homes
• April Showers Bring May Flowers

State Veterans Commission Meeting

The State Veterans Commission (SVC) will hold its next regular meeting on Friday, April 10 at 10 a.m. The SVC advises the adjutant general and the state Department of Military and Veterans Affairs on all matters pertaining to the status, welfare, benefits, employment and support of veterans and veterans’ programs in Pennsylvania. The meeting will be held at the Lickdale Outreach Center, 40 Fisher Ave., Jonestown.

You can also join by telephone at (267) 332-8737 or via Microsoft Teams.

VA Moves to Better Ensure the Second Amendment Rights of Veterans

Veterans receiving assistance through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA) Fiduciary Program will no longer be deprived of their Second Amendment rights by being reported to the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) as “prohibited persons” based solely on their participation in the program.

The VA, in consultation with the U.S. Department of Justice, is ending its practice of reporting veterans in the program to NICS without a judicial or quasi-judicial body decision because it is prohibited under federal law and the U.S. Constitution. It is also having all past VA reporting of veterans in the Fiduciary Program removed from NICS. Ultimately, no veteran will be stripped of their Second Amendment rights just because they participate in the Fiduciary Program.

Improving Access to Education and Training Benefits

Claims for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to make an official review of entitlements will no longer be needed by any veteran seeking more information regarding education and training benefits granted under the 2024 Supreme Court Rudisill decision.  

While the VA had previously notified 380,000 veterans of the need for them to submit a claim, a claim for an official decision on entitlement will not be required of them or any other veteran to learn more about their benefits. 

Eligibility for two different education programs has also been extended due to another federal court decision for certain veterans who served for a single obligated period of sufficient length.

More information can be found here.

Combat Stigma: Battle Within

Northampton Community College is hosting a Combat Stigma Event Series aimed at bringing together veterans, students and community members to talk about mental health, trauma and transition.

They will be hosting three events in this series at Northampton Community College:

• Showing the movie “The Journey Home” on April 27 at 11 a.m., College Center, 2nd Floor, Room 220.
• Speakers panel on post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injury to challenge stigmas and have an open dialogue on April 29 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., College Center, Second Floor, Room 220.
• 3rd Annual Veterans Combat Stigma 5k & 10k on May 2 at 10 a.m.

Any questions regarding the Combat Stigma event series can be directed to veterans@northampton.edu.

An Evening with WWII P-47 Pilot Alan Shapiro

The Veteran’s Breakfast Club and the Central Pennsylvania WWII Roundtable are hosting an evening of storytelling with 101 year-old WWII pilot Alan Shapiro.

Originally from Elkins Park, Mr. Shapiro joined the U.S. Army Air Corps in 1944 at 18 years old and served with the 1st Allied Airborne, 316th Troop Carrier Group, 37th Troop Carrier Squadron. He flew critical missions from Market Garden to Operation Varsity, supporting the Allied Powers across Europe. 

• April 2 from 7-8:30 p.m., American Legion Post 272 – Linglestown, 505 N. Mountain Rd., Harrisburg.
• This event will also be livestreamed on YouTube and Zoom.

Veterans Meetup and Workshop

Veterans Connecting – Meetup & Workshop will offer a gathering space for veterans and military service members aged 18 and up, with the intention of leaving no one behind and creating an open dialogue with an opportunity for conversation, camaraderie and shared support for veterans seeking connection, reflection and growth among their peers.

• April 10 from 7-9 p.m., Dietrich Theater, 60 East Tioga St., Tunkhannock.

Admission is free and light refreshments will be provided.

Pennsylvania Veterans Homes

The state Department of Military and Veterans Affairs offers eligible veterans or surviving spouses’ residency in one of the six extended-care facilities throughout the state.

The varying levels of care provided include personal, ​​domiciliary, skilled nursing and memory care. To be eligible, the veteran must have an honorable discharge, served in the U.S. or PA Armed Forces and be resident at time of entry or current resident of Pennsylvania.

Click here for detailed instructions on how to apply or call the home you are interested in directly.

April Showers Bring May Flowers

Are you looking to plant some fruits, vegetables and flowers to get spring started?

There are plenty of discounts for veterans to get their gardens started, and flowerbeds and lawns looking refreshed!

• TruGreen – Offers a 10% discount for veterans on their annual plan.
• John Deere – Offers an upgraded John Deere Rewards membership which provides extra discounts on equipment, parts and merchandise. They require veterans to verify their eligibility through ID.me.
• Home Depot – Offers a 10% discount for veterans and their spouses on eligible purchases. A Home Depot account is required to receive the discount. Veteran status will be verified through a third-party vendor.
• Lowe’s – Offers a 10% discount to veterans and their spouses on eligible purchases. A MyLowe’s Rewards Personal Account is required to receive the discount, as well as veteran status verification through ID.me.

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