Schwank, Gillen to Unveil Highway Signs Honoring Veterans

Reading, May 24, 2018  On Tuesday, May 29, State Sen. Judy Schwank (D-Berks) and Rep. Mark Gillen (R-Berks) will unveil three new highway signs on Route 176 in Berks County. The signs are the result of a road-naming bill that renamed Route 176 in Berks in honor of veterans. Berks County’s inclusion in the bill was the result of the joint legislative efforts of Schwank and Gillen.

Under the legislation, which was signed into law by Gov. Tom Wolf in February, separate sections of the Morgantown Expressway between its intersections with Route 422 and the Pennsylvania Turnpike would be marked to recognize veterans of the Vietnam War, the Persian Gulf War and the Iraq and Afghanistan War, respectively.

“We must always remember what veterans have done for us, and this is one way we’ll preserve our gratitude,” Schwank said. “This legislation was brought to life by local veterans who wanted a way to honor their brothers-and sisters-in-arm.”

At Tuesday’s event, several veterans will speak about what the signs mean to them.

What: Press Conference unveiling highway signs

Who: Sen. Schwank, Rep. Gillen, local veterans

Where: PennDOT work shed near Hafer Equipment Ltd, 34 Angstadt Lane, Birdsboro

Parking: Available at Schuylkill River Trail entrance

When: May 29, 10 a.m.

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Schwank Initiative to Rename Route 176 in Honor of Veterans Passes Senate

Harrisburg, December 13, 2017  A road-naming bill to rename Route 176 in Berks County in honor of veterans was approved today by the Pennsylvania Senate. Berks County’s inclusion in the bill was the result of the efforts of State Sen. Judy Schwank (D-Berks).

Under the legislation, HB 1602, separate sections of the Morgantown Expressway between its intersections with Route 422 and the Pennsylvania Turnpike would be marked to recognize veterans of the Vietnam War, the Persian Gulf War and the Iraq and Afghanistan War, respectively. 

“Local veterans came to me with this idea because they wanted a way to honor their brothers-and sisters-in-arm, and to encourage the public to remember what they did for us,” Schwank said. “I’m thrilled that it’s moving a step closer to becoming reality.” 

Because the Senate amended the bill to include the Berks County highway, it now returns to the House of Representatives for its approval before it can be sent to Governor.

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Schwank, DMVA Remind Desert Shield/Storm Vets of Time to Apply for Unique Bonus

HARRISBURG, March 10, 2015 – In conjunction with the state Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, state Sen. Judy Schwank is reminding Pennsylvania veterans that the time is now to apply for special one-time payments in honor of their service during Persian Gulf operations in 1990 and 1991.

The deadline to apply is Aug. 31.

The payments are for veterans who were on active duty during Operations Desert Shield or Desert Storm between Aug. 2, 1990, and Aug. 31, 1991.

“This could be hundreds of dollars for Pennsylvania veterans who laid it all on the line and fought to defend us in the Persian Gulf,” Sen. Schwank said.
Schwank said the DMVA is also asking veterans who might have previously been denied the bonus to reapply. New applications are required to reopen a claim.

So far, some 11,000 Persian Gulf veterans have applied for the bonus program since the program’s start in 2008.

The bonus pays $75 per month for qualifying, active-duty service members, up to a $525 maximum.

For personnel whose death was related to illness or injury received in the line of duty in Operations Desert Shield or Desert Storm, there is an additional $5,000 available to the surviving family. Service members who were declared prisoners of war may also be eligible for an additional $5,000.

In each case, the service member must have:

  • Served with the U.S. Armed Forces, a reserve component of the U.S. Armed Forces or the PA National Guard,
  • Served on active duty in the Persian Gulf Theater of Operations during the period from Aug. 2, 1990, until Aug. 31, 1991, and received the Southwest Asia Service Medal,
  • Been a legal resident of Pennsylvania at the time of active duty service,
  • Been discharged from active duty under honorable conditions, if not currently on active duty. And,
  • Received the Southwest Asia Service Medal.

For detailed instructions on how to apply, visit www.persiangulfbonus.state.pa.us.

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More information on Sen. Schwank is available on her website, Facebook and Twitter.

Schwank: Veterans Designation Driver’s Licenses Now Available

HARRISBURG, March 4, 2014 — Pennsylvanians who have served in the armed forces can now apply for a driver license designation identifying them as veterans, state Sen. Judy Schwank announced today.

“Fortunately, veterans are eligible for numerous discounts, benefits and services because of their service,” Schwank said. “This special driver’s license should serve as all the identification they need to prove their eligibility.”

VetStatusUnder legislation passed in 2012 by the General Assembly, Pennsylvania’s Department of Transportation worked with the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs to come up with procedures and requirements to issue special “V” designation licenses.

Qualified applicants for a Veterans Designation on their driver’s license or identification card include those who have received a Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty/DD214 or equivalent for service in the United States armed forces, including a reserve component or the National Guard, who were discharged or released from such service under conditions other than dishonorable. 

Once the Veterans Designation has been added to a license or ID, it will automatically appear each time the license or ID is renewed.

The licenses are now available at all the PennDOT service centers and online at http://www.dmv.state.pa.us (click the American flag logo that says “Veterans Designation” at the bottom of the page).

For veterans who are renewing their license, the “V” designation is free with the cost of renewal. Veterans who want to change their valid license to a Veterans Designation license before renewal will be required to pay the duplicate license fee.

Schwank, Senate Democrats Unveil Package to Help PA’s Veterans Return to Civilian Life

HARRISBURG, Nov. 19, 2013 – Sen. Judy Schwank and the Senate Democratic Caucus today unveiled a 21-bill package designed to help soldiers who return to civilian life in Pennsylvania.

Schwank is the prime sponsor of two of those proposals: Senate Bill 1143, which would give people the option of an income tax check-off to raise money to inform veterans about services for post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD, military sexual trauma and/or traumatic brain injury awareness; and Senate Bill 1144, which would use the revenue raised under SB 1143 to produce public service announcements that would inform veterans afflicted with service-related illnesses of the services and benefits available to them.

“The circumstances and risks our soldiers, sailors, air force and marines face in the 21st Century are quite different from those of previous generations, but their dedication and their commitment is as great as it has been for 240 years since the first Minute Men turned out at Lexington and Concord,” Schwank said during a Capitol press conference.

“Our obligation to support and aid these men and women is the same as well, just as it was when President Lincoln called us, 150 years ago today, to our duty to honor and remember those who suffer on our behalf,” the senator said.

The money raised through Schwank’s income tax check-off would pay for radio and television public service announcements alerting veterans of the state and federal governments’ available benefits and services, including for PTSD, traumatic brain injury (TBI) and military sexual trauma.

“The more people that would step forward to help by checking off the box, the more we can reach out to make veterans know that help is available to them,” Schwank said. “Hopefully, we will pass this so we can meet our responsibilities with the same commitment our soldiers have shown on our behalf.”

The Pentagon reported this year there were 26,000 military sexual assaults in 2012, with more than half of the victims (14,000) being male.

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More information on Sen. Schwank is available on her website, Facebook and Twitter.

Editor’s Note: The following Senate bills are included in the Democratic Caucus’ proposal:

SB 1132 – Operation Iraqi Freedom/Enduring Freedom Service Bonus Bond Issue

SB 1133 – Peer to Peer Counseling

SB 1134 – $20M RCAP carve out for vets housing

SB 1135 – Vets priority for public housing

SB 1136 – Homeless Veterans Initiative

SB 1137 – Closing Cost and Down Payment Assistance

SB 1138 – Veterans Emergency Assistance Program

SB 1139 – Military Family Relief Assistance

SB 1140 – 5 additional veteran preference points on Civil Service

SB 1141 – EMS training for PTSD and TBI

SB 1142 – Subsidized child care priority for vets and active duty military

SB 1143 – PTSD, MST, and TBI income tax check-off

SB 1144 – PTSD, MST, and TBI public service announcement fund

SB 1145 – Disabled Vets Real Estate Tax Exemption

SR 262 – Task Force on Women Veterans Health Issues

SR 263 – Urging Congress to increase funding for Department of Veterans Affairs

SB 203 – Veterans Entreprenurial Training and Support Program

SB 215 – Veteran-owned business loan guarantee program

SB 231 – Employer Tax Credit for Hiring Veterans

SB 232 – Higher Education Credits for Veterans based on Military Training

SB 241 – Educational Gratuity Program