HARRISBURG – Sen. Pat Stefano (R-32), along with Sen. Katie Muth (D-44), Rep. Karen Boback (R-117), and Rep. Chris Sainato (D-9) – the chairs of the Senate and House Veterans Affairs & Emergency Preparedness Committees – will hold a news conference on Wednesday, Sept. 15, at 10:30 a.m. in the East Wing Rotunda of the State Capitol to highlight the free services Veterans Service Officers (VSOs) provide to Pennsylvania veterans. It will be livestreamed on Veterans.PASenateGOP.com.
The event is being held in conjunction with the five major veterans service organizations – the American Legion, AMVETS, Disabled American Veterans, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Vietnam Veterans of America, along with the Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs.
Sen. Stefano, Sen. Muth, Rep. Boback and Rep. Sainato will be joined by Sam Petrovich, State Adjutant for the Disabled American Veterans (DAV), Nicholas “Chip” Gilliland, Department of Military & Veterans Affairs’ Chief of the Division of Reintegration and Outreach, and veterans that have been assisted by a Veterans Service Officer. The five organizations will have Veterans Service Officers available to discuss the work they do, at no cost, for veterans and their families.
In addition to the News Conference, VSOs from the five organizations will be in the East Wing Rotunda from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. as a part of “Veterans Service Officers Day at the Capitol” – meeting with veterans or individuals who are providing care to veterans. Private space will be available so conversations can be kept confidential. Veterans are asked to bring their DD214 to help start the process. Otherwise, they will be provided assistance in obtaining a DD214.
“As the Chair of the Senate Veterans Affairs & Emergency Preparedness Committee, I am pleased to help organize this event for our veterans and to highlight the free services that Veterans Service Officers provide,” said Sen. Stefano.
“Pennsylvania has the fourth largest veteran population in the entire country – and we need to continue to make sure the appropriate resources and supports are available and accessible to our veterans,” Sen. Muth said. “VSOs are an invaluable asset to our veterans and our Commonwealth, and I look forward to highlighting the services they provide.”
“Veterans Service Officers provide a great return on investment for Pennsylvania,” said Rep. Boback. “According to VSO program administrators, for the investment of $3.2 million in our state budget, this VSO program brings in approximately $2.9 billion annually, in federal funds for veterans that qualify for VA programs and disability pensions.”
“VSOs provide indispensable services and support for veterans who have sacrificed so much for our nation, said Rep. Sainato. “This event is an excellent opportunity for us to call attention to the assistance and resources that VSOs have made available for those who served.”
CONTACT: Nathan Silcox, 717-787-7175, nsilcox@pasen.gov