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In this Update:

• Baseball Season Deals for Veterans
• Easier Access to CDL Training for Veterans
• August 25: Veteran Service Officer Day
• Attention Veterans: Shenandoah Valley Sports Locker & Veterans Support Fund is Here to Help!
• Display of the Constitutional Preambles in Schools
• Nearly $600 Million in Infrastructure Improvements Approved by VA

Baseball Season Deals for Veterans

Many Major League Baseball teams, including the Philadelphia Phillies and the Pittsburgh Pirates, offer discounted tickets to veterans. Minor league teams do as well, like the Harrisburg Senators, which offers buy one, get one free tickets to veterans every Tuesday home game through the season. 

The Reading Fightin Phils take nominations of veterans who have served or currently serve our country to have a ceremonial flag flown in their honor on a gameday. The veteran is recognized before the game, and they and their immediate family receive complimentary tickets.

Easier Access to CDL Training for Veterans

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs implemented part of the Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act (Dole Act) to improve how certain Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) training programs are approved for VA education benefits.

Previously, new CDL training locations were required to meet the full approval requirements of a new CDL training program, which included a two-year minimum operating period, and have its site approved by the appropriate state approving agency before being able to enroll G.I. Bill students.

Now, new CDL training locations can be exempt from this two-year operating period requirement if they:

• Offer the same curriculum as an approved location in the same state; or
• Have been operating for at least one year and offer the same curriculum as an approved location in another state.

Currently, these changes apply only to CDL programs, but the VA will be studying the impact to determine whether this could be applied to other vocational programs in the future.

August 25: Veteran Service Officer Day

My office hosts monthly Veteran Service Officer Days to help veterans and their loved ones navigate and apply for benefits earned through military service.

Our next scheduled date is Tuesday, August 25^th, in my Mahanoy City Office. For an appointment, please call (570) 773-0891.

Attention Veterans: Shenandoah Valley Sports Locker & Veterans Support Fund is Here to Help!

The mission of the Shenandoah Valley Sports Locker & Veterans Support Fund is to assist Schuylkill County veterans facing immediate hardships, including overdue utility bills, late rent or mortgage payments, unforeseen car expenses, or food insecurity.

Veterans seeking assistance or more information about available services are encouraged to contact the Schuylkill County Veterans Affairs Office in Pottsville at 570-628-1400.

Thank you all for undertaking this incredibly impactful work on behalf of local heroes.

Display of the Constitutional Preambles in Schools

In May, the Senate passed legislation requiring the posting of the preambles of the U.S. Constitution and the Pennsylvania Constitution in the entranceway of public-school buildings. Read more about Senate Bill 250 and Senate Bill 598.

Nearly $600 Million in Infrastructure Improvements Approved by VA

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) approved $596 million in VA infrastructure improvements in the second quarter of fiscal year 2026. The funds will be used by VA medical facilities to improve operational capability and overall healthcare delivery by making significant upgrades.

This includes funds for 24 projects for Pennsylvania’s VA medical facilities to renovate a prosthetics lab in Altoona, replace a roof in Butler, replace windows in Lebanon, repair a heat exchanger in Philadelphia, structural reinforcements in Pittsburgh and more.