Senator Mastriano

Veterans Helping Veterans

We will soon introduce legislation to strengthen the Pennsylvania Veterans Trust Fund, which provides assistance to veterans and their families across the Commonwealth.

Our bill would add a small $5 fee to approximately 50 military and veteran specialty license plates, with the proceeds going directly to the Veterans Trust Fund.

The legislation would also allow veterans to obtain these plates for motor homes and trailers up to 14,000 pounds, expanding access for those who wish to display their service.

This simple step will help ensure the Trust Fund remains sustainable and continues supporting those who served our nation.

We look forward to working with colleagues on this important effort — Veterans Helping Veterans.

THROWBACK THURSDAY: Here I am with local German kids during REFORGER 1988—the largest of the Return of Forces to Germany exercises—when a quarter of a million American troops surged into Germany to rehearse the defense of Western Europe against a potential Soviet invasion.

Whenever we were in the field, the local kids would inevitably wander over, curious and smiling, drawn to the spectacle of tanks, trucks, and camouflage. They always asked for the prized brown packets—our MREs. To them, they were exotic treasures from America. To us, they were just another meal in the mud. Without fail, they’d come ready to bargain, trading fresh bread from their mothers’ kitchens or thick slabs of German chocolate in exchange. It was Cold War soldiering by day—and simple, human connection by afternoon. #ThrowbackThursday

March 5, 1770 - The Boston Massacre occurred as a group of rowdy Americans harassed British soldiers who then opened fire, killing five and injuring six. The first man killed was Crispus Attucks, an African American. British Captain Thomas Preston and eight of his men were arrested and charged with murder. Their trial took place in October, with colonial lawyer John Adams defending the British. Captain Preston and six of his men were acquitted. Two others were found guilty of manslaughter, branded, then released.

She was arrested… for praying silently.

In the United Kingdom, Isabel Vaughan-Spruce was detained by police for standing outside an abortion facility. She wasn’t shouting. She wasn’t blocking anyone. She wasn’t holding signs.

She was simply praying quietly in her mind.
Police questioned her about what she was thinking and arrested her for violating a “buffer zone” around the clinic.

Let that sink in.

The founder of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, William Penn, was also imprisoned in England centuries ago for publicly expressing his religious convictions. His story is a reminder of why the freedoms we cherish today were fought for in the first place.

Yet here we are again, asking the same question:

Since when does the government have the authority to police someone’s thoughts or silent prayers?

Whether you agree with her views or not, this should concern everyone. The moment a government can punish someone for silent prayer or private thought, freedom itself is in danger.

Where is the outrage?

Where are the defenders of free speech and religious liberty?

No one should ever be arrested for praying.
Because if it can happen to her… it can happen to anyone.

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March 4 – Charter of Privileges (1701, William Penn)

I’m introducing two measures to improve care for Veterans living with traumatic brain injuries (TBI).

The first is a Senate Resolution urging Congress to pass the bipartisan Veterans Traumatic Brain Injury Adaptive Care Opportunities Nationwide (ACTION) Act, which would expand innovative neurorehabilitation treatment and strengthen mental health support for Veterans.

The second measure would create a Pennsylvania pilot program supporting facilities that provide promising TBI treatments for Veterans. Under the proposal, three institutions across the Commonwealth would receive $150,000 per year for three years to expand access to care and study patient outcomes.

I have seen firsthand nonprofits such as Aurelius in Harrisburg doing great things for our Veterans community. It is important that we combat Veterans Suicide through measures such as this.

Our Veterans deserve the best care possible when they return home.

June 5, 1944 — On the Eve of Destiny.

With the weight of the free world on his shoulders, General Dwight D. Eisenhower met face-to-face with the men of E Company, 502nd Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne.

Hours before they would parachute into occupied France, Eisenhower gave no grand speech — just calm resolve, quiet strength, and a now-famous order “The free men of the world are marching together to Victory! I have full confidence in your courage, devotion to duty and skill in battle. We will accept nothing less than full Victory!”

D-Day would begin at dawn. History would never be the same.
As we approach America’s 250th birthday, we remember moments like these — when freedom hung in the balance, and brave men answered the call.

#DDay #Eisenhower #America250 #WWII #Airborne #GreatestGeneration #502ndInfantry #FullVictory #HonorTheirSacrifice