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In this Update:
Honoring Sam Worley
Few people leave a legacy that spans more than a century, but at 105 years young, Sam Worley has done exactly that. A proud veteran of the Eighth Air Force during World War II, Sam answered our nation’s call with courage before returning home to dedicate the rest of his remarkable life to serving the Chambersburg community he loves. His humility, kindness, and unwavering commitment to others have made him one of the most beloved citizens in our region. It was my privilege to spend time with Sam recently. In true interservice fashion, we shared a few good-natured laughs as he teased me about serving in the Army while he proudly represented the Air Force. By the end of our conversation, I presented him with my 3rd Infantry Division hat and told him that, just as the legendary Audie Murphy was a member of the division, Sam was now an honorary Soldier of the 3rd Infantry Division. It was a small gesture of respect for a man whose lifetime of service has earned the admiration of everyone who knows him. It is only fitting that the Franklin County Conservancy selected Sam as the recipient of its first-ever Citizen of the Year Award, recognizing a lifetime devoted to serving others and strengthening our community. On behalf of the people of Pennsylvania’s 33rd Senatorial District, I offer my heartfelt congratulations to Sam Worley—a member of the Greatest Generation, an American patriot, and one of the finest citizens our Commonwealth has ever known. His life stands as a powerful reminder that true greatness is measured not only by how we serve our country, but by how faithfully we serve our neighbors every day thereafter. Marking Korean War Veterans Armistice Day
My bill designating July 27 as Korean War Veterans Armistice Day in Pennsylvania was signed into law this week. Senate Bill 511, now Act 45 of 2026, sets July 27 as Korean War Veterans Armistice Day in Pennsylvania in honor of all U.S. service members who fought on the Korean Peninsula from 1950-53. Nearly 1.8 million American soldiers served in the war. More than 36,000 lost their lives, and more than 100,000 were wounded. We owe it to those who fought and died on the Korean Peninsula to assure that their legacy is never forgotten. Without the courage of American troops and our allies, South Korea’s fate could have mirrored that of North Korea — a dictatorship marked by oppression and suffering. Read more about this new law here. My Bill to Notify Families of VA Benefits Signed into Law
A bill I sponsored to ensure families of deceased service members are notified of burial benefits available through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs was signed into law this week. Senate Bill 130, now Act 42 of 2026, would require licensed funeral directors, funeral parlors or cemetery companies to provide notification of a deceased service person to counties within 96 hours of receiving their remains. It would also require these entities to provide the family of the deceased service person with contact information for the county veterans affairs director. Our veterans earned their burial benefits by serving our nation. Fostering communication between surviving family members, funeral directors and county directors of veterans affairs offices will help ensure more veterans receive a proper farewell. Read more about this new law here. SR 326 Medal of Honor to Major Richard “Dick” Winters
Senate Calls for Congressional Medal of Honor for Maj. Richard D. Winters The Senate this week unanimously adopted Senate Resolution 326, which urges Congress to recommend Maj. Richard D. Winters for 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.” He passed away Jan. 2, 2011. Time and time again, Maj. Winters and Easy Company were put in perilous situations — from D-Day to the Battle of Carentan to Hitler’s “Eagle’s Nest” — but each time found the resolve to persevere and move forward. Winters’ story continues to inspire us all, and it’s well past time he received our nation’s highest military honor. As chairman of the Senate Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee, I was proud to introduce this measure with fellow veterans Sens. Tracy Pennycuick, Devlin Robinson, Greg Rothman and Gene Yaw, along with Winters’ home senator, Sen. Patty Kim. Click here to read more about Maj. Winters and Senate Resolution 326. National Guard Officers Promotion
The committee unanimously recommended the confirmation of five outstanding Pennsylvania Army National Guard officers for promotion: Brig. Gen. Reece Lutz – nominated for Major General These promotions reflect decades of dedicated service, proven leadership, and unwavering commitment to the Commonwealth and our nation. As Chairman of the Senate Veterans Affairs & Emergency Preparedness Committee, I was honored to help advance these nominations and other pro-veteran initiatives. Congratulations to these exceptional officers and their families on this well-earned achievement. Mastriano Advances National Guard Promotions and Veteran Legislation
National Guard Promotions and Veteran-Supporting Legislation Advance from Committee The Senate Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee, which I chair, this week provided a unanimous favorable recommendation for the well-deserved promotions of Pennsylvania Army National Guard officers Brig. Gen. Reece Lutz, Col. Jonathan Lloyd, Col. Randy Lutz, Col. David Marous and Col. Andrew O’Connor. I was honored to meet them and learn about their service before the committee convened. The committee also advanced six bills to strengthen women veterans’ healthcare, place a Braille Flag Monument in our state Capitol, support treatment for veterans with traumatic brain injuries, call for the Medal of Honor for Maj. Richard D. Winters, and encourage more medical personnel, attorneys and chaplains to enlist in the Pennsylvania National Guard. This meeting and public hearing continued our important work to improve how the commonwealth cares for our brave veterans once they return home and ensure the Pennsylvania National Guard is prepared to perform their critically important mission. Read more about the officers up for promotion and the legislation we approved here. Displaying the POW/MIA Flag at Public Schools
In June, the Senate unanimously passed Senate Bill 835, which would require the display of the official POW/MIA flag when space permits, at public schools during times the U.S. flag is also flown. To read more about the legislation, click here. PA Guard Military Family Education Program
As students begin preparing for the fall semester, Pennsylvania National Guard members are reminded their families could be eligible for assistance to offset the cost of higher education. The Military Family Education Program is for Guard members who completed an initial service obligation on or after July 1, 2019, and is eligible to reenlist in the PA National Guard for a period of six years. The grants can be used for a degree-granting or certificate-granting curriculum, course of study, or training program required for entrance into a specific career at an approved Pennsylvania institution of higher learning. Read more details and find applications here. Beware of the “Veterans Savings Program” Postcard Scam
Veterans and their spouses are being targeted by a new postcard scam advertising a fraudulent “Veterans Saving Program.” The mailer claims eligibility for an extra $185 monthly payment and dental benefits, but the program does not exist. More information about this scam is available here. Posting of Veterans’ Benefits
With the enactment of Act 31 of 2025, Pennsylvania businesses with at least 50 employees are now required to display the benefits and services available to veterans from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and the Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs along with contact information for veterans’ resources. Veteran Benefits Assistance
The Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA) provides veterans and their beneficiaries with free and safe assistance when applying for benefits. Seeking free help from the DMVA can help veterans avoid scams and exploitation from people looking to profit from veterans’ earned benefits. For more information about pension poaching, click here. Veteran Burial Benefits
Eligible veterans and their spouses can receive no-cost burial benefits at U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) national cemeteries. These benefits include burial in a VA National Cemetery, headstone or marker with inscription included and gravesite maintenance in perpetuity. Veterans’ spouses are still eligible for these benefits if they pre-decease the veteran or if the veteran is interred in a non-VA cemetery. For more information on veteran burial benefits from the VA, click here. National Parks Military Lifetime Pass
Veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces and members of Gold Star Families are eligible for a free Military Lifetime Pass at national parks, which will admit the passholder and accompanying passengers in a non-commercial vehicle at per vehicle fee areas, or the passholder and up to three additional people over the age of 16 where per person fees are charged. Passes cover entrance and day-use fees at lands managed by the National Park Service, the Bureau of Land Management, the Bureau of Reclamation, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the U.S. Forest Service and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. To request a free digital pass, click here. To request a physical pass, which requires a $12.50 shipping and handling fee, click here. |
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