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In this Update:
Wreaths Across America, at the Indiantown Gap National Cemetery
Rebbie and I had the distinct honor of participating once again this year in the Wreaths Across America ceremony at Indiantown Gap National Cemetery. This meaningful event serves to honor and remember the sacrifices made by our military veterans and their families, and it is a powerful reminder of their bravery and dedication. At the Wreaths Across America event, we honored our WWII veterans by presenting them with Senate commendation medals. It was a truly meaningful experience to shake their hands and express our heartfelt gratitude for their incredible service and sacrifice. To watch the full ceremony, please click here Wreaths Across America Ceremony on Vimeo. Visit With Gold Star Families
Prior to the Wreaths Across America ceremony, Rebbie and I were blessed to spend time with the parents of Jarett Yoder and Matthew Ruffner who were both killed April 9, 2013 in a helicopter crash in Nangarhar Province, Afghanistan. It was a joy to hear stories about their lives and listen to the heartfelt memories shared by their parents as they remembered their brave sons. Never Forgotten
A Christmas Miracle
By Senator Doug Mastriano In the summer of 1776, New York buzzed with tension as Commander-in-Chief George Washington readied his troops for an imminent British attack. The storm broke on Aug. 27 with British General William Howe’s forces clashing against Washington’s Continental Army. The battlefield echoed with the cries of soldiers, and the ground was stained with the blood of fallen heroes. Despite their courage, the Continental Army faced a crushing defeat, leaving them crippled and dispirited. Amidst the despair, a sliver of hope emerged. On the night of Aug. 29, under the cloak of darkness and a heavy mist, Washington led his men in a daring escape from Brooklyn Heights. It was nothing short of a miracle: no life was lost. The Continental Army had slipped through the grasp of their foes. Relentlessly pursued by the British, Washington’s army retreated across New Jersey, finally finding a precarious refuge in Pennsylvania as winter tightened its grip. The situation seemed bleak. Supplies dwindled, morale was at its nadir, and the shadow of defeat loomed. But Washington, a beacon of resilience, devised a bold plan. On Christmas Day in 1776, as the world celebrated peace and joy, Washington prepared his weary troops for a perilous journey. The plan: to cross the ice-choked Delaware River and launch a surprise attack on the Hessian garrison in Trenton, New Jersey. The night was bitterly cold, the river treacherous, but hope flickered in the soldiers’ hearts as they pressed on, determined to alter the course of history. Against the odds, the impossible became reality. The Hessian garrison, numbering 1,500, was taken by complete surprise. The victory was swift and decisive, rekindling the flame of hope within the Continental Army and turning the tide of the Revolutionary War. The triumph in Trenton overshadowed the defeat in New York, restoring the soldiers’ spirit and faith in their cause. Fast forward to Belgium in 1944. The Allied forces were making strides in liberating Europe, but Hitler, in a desperate gamble, launched a surprise attack through the dense Ardennes Forest. The assault, known as the Battle of the Bulge, caught the American forces off guard. Nazi tanks and infantry punched deep into their lines, threatening to capture Bastogne, a critical crossroads town. Surrounded and outnumbered, the American troops in Bastogne faced relentless German assaults and harsh winter conditions. Supplies of ammunition, food and medicine dwindled, and the soldiers’ morale plummeted. The skies remained overcast, preventing much-needed air support. All hope seemed lost. In this dire hour, General George Patton turned to God. He had his chaplain compose a prayer for divine intervention, a prayer that echoed through the ranks of his Third Army: “Almighty and most merciful Father, we humbly beseech Thee, of Thy great goodness, to restrain these immoderate rains with which we have had to contend. Grant us fair weather for battle. Graciously hearken to us as soldiers who call upon Thee that, armed with Thy power, we may advance from victory to victory and crush the oppression and wickedness of our enemies, and establish Thy justice among men and nations. Amen.” Miraculously, the weather cleared. The skies brightened, and with it, the path to victory. Patton’s forces surged forward, breaking through German lines and relieving the beleaguered defenders of Bastogne. Once again, the impossible had become possible, reminiscent of Washington’s triumph in 1776. Today, we face battles of a different kind: economic struggles, geopolitical tensions, a decidedly hostile media and societal pressures weighing heavily on our hearts. Thomas Paine’s words from centuries past, “These are the times that try men’s souls,” resonate anew. Yet, even in the face of such challenges, hope endures. The story of Christmas, celebrated for over two millennia, reminds us of an eternal promise. In the ancient city of Bethlehem, shepherds watching their flocks by night were visited by an angel bearing joyful news: the birth of a Savior, Christ the Lord. The angel’s proclamation echoed with a promise of peace and goodwill: “Fear not, for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men.” This message of hope, first heard by humble shepherds, transcends time and place. It speaks to us today, reminding us that even in the darkest of times, the light of hope and salvation shines brightly. As we celebrate this Christmas season, may we embrace the promise of a better tomorrow, confident that just as miracles happened in the past, they can happen again. The best is yet to come. Statement About Drones in PA, Elsewhere
It is inconceivable that the federal government has no answers nor has taken any action to get to the bottom of the unidentified drones. The fecklessness of this administration was on display last year when a Chinese surveillance balloon was allowed to fly over the entire continental United States before being shot down. This should be viewed as a threat to our nation and citizens and action is long overdue. We have recourses and assets in our arsenal to get answers, but I suppose Ukraine is more important to the White House. Jan. 20 can’t come soon enough! Supporting PA Veterans and Military Families
Pennsylvania owes a debt of gratitude to all the brave men and women who have defended our freedom, as well as the citizens who continue to protect our nation and its interests across the globe. Senate Republicans passed bills this legislative session to support our veterans and their families that were all signed into law. One new law expands access to benefits for disabled veterans. Another provides additional community outreach services to help ensure that all veterans are aware of the resources available to them. Because mental health often impacts veterans, we also passed a law that would allow them to fish for free in therapeutic recreation events and programs. The relocation associated with being a military family can present a challenge for children in school. To help with that, we passed laws to provide educational support for children of National Guard and Reserves members and ensure students receive in-state tuition when their military parent is re-assigned out-of-state. Read more about legislation to honor our veterans and defend our freedoms. New Military License Plates to Honor PA Veterans
Pennsylvania now offers six new license plates to honor military veterans. Three of the 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, the Operation Inherent Resolve Veterans Plate and the Borinqueneers Congressional Gold Medal Registration Plate. For $26, the plates – which bear a graphic of the medal awarded – can be used on cars or trucks. The other three new plate designs recognize female veterans. Two are available for motorcycles and the third is for cars and trucks. They include the Women Veteran Motorcycle Registration Plate and the Women Veteran Registration Plate both for $26 and the Honoring Our Women Veteran Motorcycle Registration Plate for $41. Driver Training Program to Improve Work Zone Safety
A new, statewide training program is available to all motorists – particularly new drivers – to improve driver safety and roadway worker protection. The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation’s program uses videos, infographics, knowledge checks and testimonials to teach new drivers work zone laws, signage and key facts. It also offers real-life scenarios to enhance understanding. The free, 35-minute virtual course is available in English and Spanish. There are more than 1,400 work zone crashes across Pennsylvania annually, with more than 600 resulting in injuries and 15 in death. Giving the Gift of Education with PA 529
If you’re still looking for a gift for the children in your life, consider the gift of education. A gift made to their PA 529 College and Career Savings Program will help make their future bright, no matter what path they take. PA 529 offers two plans: the PA 529 Investment Plan and the PA 529 Guaranteed Savings Plan. Friends and family can also help save using Ugift, a free gifting platform. The unique code they need to contribute to your child’s account can be found in your PA 529 account online. Contributions to a PA 529 account made by Dec. 31 qualify for deductions on 2024 PA state income taxes, including those made by a gift giver. 2025-26 FAFSA Form is Live
The online and paper form of the 2025-26 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is available now. Colleges and career schools use the FAFSA form to determine how much financial aid students are eligible to receive. The aid may include grants, scholarships, work-study funds and loans. Students must apply for aid every year. The Department of Education addressed issues with the FAFSA system and modernized internal systems and processes. It also updated resources to help students and families better navigate the FAFSA form and process. Learn more.
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