Dec. 12, 2024
New Memorial will Honor Gold Star Families
Time and again, throughout our nearly 250 years as a nation, our military has answered the call. Whether it be to defend our freedoms or fight against those who cause terror around the world, American troops, many from Pennsylvania, have responded.
This is why it is so important that policies and programs impacting active-duty service members, veterans and their families are constantly examined and improved.
The newest initiative recently passed into law – and for which I was happy to vote in favor – is to create a new memorial on the Pennsylvania Capitol grounds.
Act 145 of 2024 will create a memorial for Gold Star families, who are the ones left behind when a service member dies. For grieving families, it will be a place to gather, reflect, pray and share in fellowship with one another. For the public, it will be an important reminder of the ultimate sacrifice the bravest patriots made for them and their country.
As written in the law, the monument will be formed with four granite slabs, displaying the words "Gold Star Family Memorial Monument, a tribute to Gold Star Mothers, Fathers, and Relatives who have sacrificed a Loved One for our Freedom" on one side.
There will be a depiction of a scene on the other side of each of the four slabs, featuring homeland, patriot, family and sacrifice. These four sentiments each have a specific meaning:
• Homeland, reminding us where we live, our people, our families and our freedoms.
• Family, honoring the unique and brave spirit of our military families who support their loved ones in the armed forces.
• Patriot, representing those who vigorously support and defend our great nation through selfless service.
• Sacrifice, reminding us of the sacrifices made by our Gold Star families.
The design elements and concepts are the work of the Woody Williams Foundation, a non-profit organization that has installed similar monuments throughout the United States. In fact, because of the foundation, as well as an agreement with the MI Charitable Foundation to handle construction and maintenance, the monument will be no cost to taxpayers.
Hershel “Woody” Williams was a United States Marine from West Virginia and fought at the Battle of Iwo Jima. He received the Congressional Medal of Honor from President Truman at the White House.
Act 145 of 2024 is one of several initiatives affecting veterans passed into law during the 2023-24 legislative session. Act 71 of 2024 creates a direct connection between a voluntary veterans registry maintained by the Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA) and each county’s Veterans Affairs office.
To assist military families, Act 24 of 2023 allows children in military families soon to arrive in Pennsylvania to be enrolled in school prior to the establishment of a residence. Also, Act 14 of 2024 locks in in-state tuition at Pennsylvania public colleges and universities, even if their military parent is reassigned to another state.
To make certain that veterans have access to important programs and benefits, Act 27 of 2024 excludes a veteran’s benefits from being considered as income when seeking eligibility in any program administered by the Commonwealth.
Remember that there are several opportunities to speak with a certified veteran service officer (VSO) at my district offices. Assistance is available for matters such as disability and pension claims, benefit questions, assisting spouses with survivor benefits issues, applications for veterans grants and other benefit questions. Walk-ins are welcome, but you can also call to arrange an appointment for these three monthly events:
• First Wednesday of each month: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., New Kensington office, 356 Freeport St., Suite 100. To schedule, call the New Kensington office at 724-472-4102. VSO provided by the Veterans of Foreign Wars.
• Second Wednesday of each month: 9 a.m. to noon, New Kensington office, 356 Freeport St., Suite 100. To schedule, call the New Kensington office at 724-472-4102. From 12:30-3:30 p.m., Washington Township/Export office, 105 Pfeffer Road, Suite 5. To schedule, call the Washington Township/Export office at 724-387-9113. VSO provided by the Westmoreland County Department of Veterans Affairs.
• Third Wednesday of each month: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Washington Township/Export office, 105 Pfeffer Road, Suite 5. To schedule, call the Washington Township/Export office at 724-387-9113. VSO provided by the Veterans of Foreign Wars.
The dedication and sacrifice taken on by our service members must always be remembered. Dedicating space on the capitol grounds in Harrisburg is one important way to remember and honor those military families whose lives were forever changed when their beloved service member lost their life in service to our country.
Here are some additional news topics and reminders I would like to share.
New Military-Themed License Plates Honor PA Veterans – On the subject of supporting veterans, six new license plates honoring the service of the Commonwealth’s veterans are now available from the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation. The new plates were authorized under Act 60 of 2024.
Three of the new plates recognize service members who received medals or honors for individual achievements or deployments. They include the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal Registration Plate, Operation Inherent Resolve Veterans Plate, and Borinqueneers Congressional Gold Medal Registration Plate.
The other three new plate designs recognize women veterans. Two are available for motorcycles and the third is for passenger cars or trucks with a registered gross weight of not more than 14,000 pounds. They include the Honoring Our Women Veteran Motorcycle Registration Plate, Women Veteran Motorcycle Registration Plate and the Women Veteran Registration Plate.
To learn more about all license plate options, fees and how to apply for them, visit www.pa.gov/agencies/dmv and navigate to the License Plates section. In addition, my staff and I would be happy to help you through the process, feel free to contact my Washington Township/Export office at 724-387-9113 or my New Kensington office at 724-472-4102.
Applications Open for Broadband Funding - The Pennsylvania Broadband Development Authority (PBDA) recently announced the $1.16 billion Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) Program will accept its first round of applications through Jan. 21. BEAD is a federal grant program that provides states with funding to deploy broadband infrastructure and connect residents to the internet.
The goal is to expand broadband in unserved and underserved areas of the state to make sure high-speed internet is available to every resident by the end of the decade. It is estimated that over 100,000 Pennsylvanians in 42 counties currently have no service or struggle with poor service.
Eligible BEAD applicants include cooperative organizations; not-for-profit organizations; public-private partnerships; private companies; public or private utility companies; public utility districts; municipalities or units of local government; and internet service providers registered through the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).
For more information about the program, visit
broadband.pa.gov.
Representative Jill Cooper
55th Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Jordan Frei
724.875.8450
jfrei@pahousegop.com
RepJillCooper.com /
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