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In this Update:
Disabled American Veterans Convention
It was truly an honor to attend and speak at the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) Convention today in Harrisburg. A special thank you to State Adjutant Bob Hammaker for his leadership and steadfast commitment to Pennsylvania’s veterans. I was also honored to speak alongside my Executive Director, Nate Silcox, as we discussed important veterans’ legislation and current issues affecting those who have served our nation. Following our remarks, we had the opportunity to engage directly with veterans during a thoughtful Q&A session, where attendees shared their concerns, experiences, and ideas. These conversations are invaluable as we continue working to ensure our veterans receive the care, benefits, and support they have earned. Thank you to the DAV, the veterans in attendance, and all those who continue to advocate for those who have worn the uniform of the United States. Punxsutawney Phil Visits the PA State Capitol
Look who made a special trip to the Pennsylvania State Capitol a few weeks ago! Pennsylvania’s most famous resident, Punxsutawney Phil, stopped by to visit our lawmakers. Monthly Photo Submission
Monthly Photo Submission! Show Us What Makes Adams & Franklin Counties Special! Our communities are filled with incredible people, beautiful landscapes, historic places, and unforgettable moments. I want to help showcase the very best of Adams and Franklin Counties through a new Photo of the Month Contest! Whether it’s a breathtaking sunrise, a family farm, a community event, a veteran being honored, a historic landmark, wildlife, or a special moment that captures the spirit of our region, I encourage you to submit your favorite photos. At the end of each month, I will personally review the submissions and select a Photo of the Month. The chosen photo will be featured on my social media platforms, and the photographer will be recognized for their outstanding work. This is a great opportunity to celebrate the people, places, and moments that make Adams and Franklin Counties such wonderful places to live, work, and raise a family. Submit your best photos by clicking on the link provided and help tell the story of our communities! I look forward to seeing our counties through your lens. Throwback!
Desert Storm Edition (1990–1991) Before the ground war in Iraq with the 2nd Armored Cavalry Regiment, I discovered an important truth: if you can’t laugh in the desert, you’re going to have a very long deployment. I spent some of my scarce free time drawing cartoons about Army life. Looking back 35 years later, these are definitely not Pulitzer Prize material—but they captured the frustrations that helped soldiers get through long months in the desert. Desert Storm’s Prompt Mail Service – “Happy Easter… eventually.” Nothing tested a soldier’s patience quite like military mail. Christmas packages arrived after New Year’s. Easter cards showed up in the summer. By the time some care packages reached us, the candy had melted, the cookies had fossilized, and the holiday had long passed. Yet every box from home was a reminder that someone was thinking about you. The Dreaded MRE – “Some of the Army’s finest meals!” For those who never had the pleasure, MRE stood for “Meal, Ready-to-Eat.” For those of us who actually ate them, it often stood for: Meals Rejected by Everyone. Some were edible. Some were memorable. And some became legends for all the wrong reasons. Let’s just say there was a reason soldiers were always eager to trade entrees before chow. Hair-Raising Field Trims – “Barbershop standards may vary.” In the field, you learn to trust your fellow soldiers. You trust them with your vehicle. You trust them with your weapon. You trust them with your life. Trusting them with your haircut? That was often the biggest gamble of all. Some field haircuts looked less like grooming and more like enemy action. A few weeks after drawing these cartoons, the jokes stopped and the fighting began. On February 23, 1991, the 2nd Armored Cavalry Regiment crossed into Iraq and led the coalition’s attack. Over the following days, we fought some of Saddam Hussein’s best units, including the Republican Guard’s Tawakalna Division and the Iraqi 12th Armored Division. Senate Votes to Protect Your Right to Know About Government Actions
The Senate approved legislation to strengthen government transparency and protect the public’s right to know. Senate Bill 1150 would clarify Pennsylvania’s Sunshine Act to ensure public agencies provide meaningful notice before acting on important matters. The bill reinforces the 24-hour agenda posting requirement and ensures exceptions for emergencies and small-scale matters remain limited. The legislation follows a state Supreme Court ruling allowing agencies to add agenda items and take official action on them with a simple majority vote, even when those items were not included on a publicly posted agenda. The bill was sent to the House of Representatives for consideration. Read more about legislation to strengthen the Sunshine Act here. Making it Easier for Fire Companies, EMS Agencies to Access Funding
Legislation to make it easier for fire and EMS agencies to access state funding through the Fire and EMS Grant program was approved by the Senate. Senate Bill 1261 streamlines the application process, including eliminating outdated wording and incentives, using the state’s Single Application for Assistance instead of having a separate, redundant system, and asking fire companies to provide additional contact information to ensure lines of communication are open. The bill also increases the amount fire and EMS agencies can borrow through the State Fire Commissioner’s low-interest loan program, freeing up more funding opportunities for first responder agencies. Senate Bill 1261 now advances to the House of Representatives. Read more about these proposed improvements here. Flying the POW/MIA Flag at Public Schools
The Senate voted to require the POW/MIA flag be displayed at any public school in the commonwealth that already displays the American flag, provided the school can reasonably accommodate it. By meeting the requirement of Senate Bill 835 schools can help ensure the sacrifices of prisoners of war and those missing in action are never forgotten and demonstrate their commitment to supporting military families and educating students about the importance of service. The bill was sent to the House of Representatives for consideration. Read more about Senate Bill 835 here. Quarantine Order Issued to Protect PA Farms from Screwworm
Heightened risk of New World Screwworm (NWS) following confirmed cases in Texas and New Mexico has prompted the state Department of Agriculture to issue a quarantine order limiting the movements of livestock and pets. There are currently no cases in Pennsylvania, but NWS is a devastating pest. Its fly larvae can infest livestock, pets, wildlife, occasionally birds, and in rare cases, people. The quarantine order establishes movement restrictions and enhanced animal health requirements for susceptible domestic animals entering Pennsylvania from affected areas. The order includes provisions for veterinary inspection, animal health certification and preventative measures designed to reduce the risk of NWS entering the commonwealth through animal movements. Read the NWS quarantine order here. Find more information about the NWS outbreak here. Happy Father’s Day
On Sunday, we celebrate fathers and fatherhood, and honor the dads who influenced us throughout our lives. Happy Father’s Day to all the fathers and father figures who contribute so much to our families and communities. |
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