HARRISBURG — The Senate Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee, chaired by Sen. Doug Mastriano (R-33), today provided a unanimous favorable recommendation for the promotion of five Pennsylvania Army National Guard officers, and advanced six measures benefiting and honoring veterans and those actively serving in the National Guard.
“Today’s committee meeting and public hearing continues our important work to improve how the commonwealth cares for our brave veterans once they return home and ensures the Pennsylvania National Guard is prepared to perform their critically important mission,” Mastriano said.
Brig. Gen. Reece Lutz, a resident of Perry County, is under consideration to be promoted to major general. Lutz previously deployed to Iraq as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Kuwait as part of Operation Enduring Freedom and serves as commanding general for the 28th Infantry Division. He is expected to continue as commander of the 28th Infantry Division if confirmed.
Col. Jonathan Lloyd, who recently transferred from the Louisiana Army National Guard, is under consideration to be promoted to brigadier general. Lloyd has deployed to Iraq and part of Operation Iraqi Freedom, Afghanistan as part of Operation Freedom Sentinel and Kosovo as part of Operation Joint Guardian. He is expected to become deputy commanding general – maneuver for the 28th Infantry Division if confirmed.
Col. Randy Lutz, a resident of York County, is under consideration to be promoted to brigadier general. Lutz has deployed to Kosovo and Afghanistan as part of Operation Enduring Freedom and previously served as commander of the Eastern Army Aviation Training Site, where he worked in support of key aviation initiatives. He is expected to become director of joint staff at Joint Force Headquarters, Fort Indiantown Gap if confirmed.
Col. David Marous, a resident of Berks County, is under consideration to be promoted to brigadier general. Marous has deployed to Iraq as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom and has distinguished himself as the current chief of staff for the Pennsylvania Army National Guard at Joint Force Headquarters. He is expected to become an assistant adjutant general at Joint Force Headquarters if confirmed.
Col. Andrew O’Connor, a resident of Montgomery County, is under consideration to be promoted to brigadier general. O’Connor has deployed to Iraq as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom and currently serve as director of strategic development for Joint Force headquarters, a critical role to ensuring the guard is prepared for today’s challenges. He is expected to become an assistant adjutant general at Joint Force Headquarters if confirmed.
The committee also advanced the following bills:
Senate Bill 1061, sponsored by Sen. Tracy Pennycuick (R-24), and House Bill 2024, sponsored by Rep. Melissa Shusterman (D-157), would both require county directors of veterans’ affairs to be trained on trauma-informed care. The bills aim to implement a recommendation of the Women Veterans Healthcare Task Force, which was created by Pennycuick’s Senate Resolution 46.
“I would like to thank Sen. Pennycuick for hosting Women Veterans Day each year at our state Capitol, for her work to create the task force and now for her leadership on implementing its recommendations,” Mastriano said.
Senate Bill 1303, sponsored by Sen. Scott Martin (R-13), would place a Braille Flag Monument in the state Capitol East Wing Rotunda. The first Braille Flag was created by Randolph Cabral, the son of a blind World War II veteran, to honor his father. Mastriano commended Martin and local Moose Lodges for their efforts to honor veterans who lost their sight.
Senate Bill 1355, sponsored by Mastriano, would establish a pilot program to financially support facilities providing neurorehabilitative therapies to veterans struggling with traumatic brain injuries and PTSD. The Senate recently adopted a resolution calling on Congress to pass similar federal legislation.
Senate Resolution 326, sponsored by Mastriano, calls for posthumously awarding Maj. Richard D. Winters the Congressional Medal of Honor. Winters was a lifelong resident of Pennsylvania who served as the commanding officer of the 101st Airborne Division’s Easy Company during World War II. His heroic deeds were depicted in HBO’s acclaimed miniseries “Band of Brothers.”
House Bill 1102, sponsored by Rep. Chris Pielli (D-156), would provide targeted incentives to encourage more medical personnel, attorneys and chaplains to enlist and serve in the Pennsylvania National Guard.
“The Medical Officer program has been successful over the years, but as the National Guard experiences shortages in certain fields, it is imperative that we adjust,” said Mastriano. “Under the bill, reimbursement tiers would be based on educational attainment, allowing participants to receive higher reimbursements to help manage their student debt.”
All six bills now advance to the full Senate for consideration. The promotions of Pennsylvania National Guard officers advance to the Senate Rules and Executive Nominations Committee for further consideration.
Video of the full committee meeting and public hearing can be found here.