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Honoring Our Veterans
Today we recognize Veterans Day by remembering the sacrifices these men and women made on behalf of our citizens and people around the world.
Veterans Day, originally known as Armistice Day, first marked the one-year anniversary of the end of World War I, on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, and sought to honor the veterans of the World War – the only world war to have occurred at that time. Armistice Day was declared a national holiday in 1938 to acknowledge world peace and then was renamed Veterans Day in 1954 to celebrate the contributions of veterans of all wars.
For more about the history of Veterans Day, click here.
For more information about programs and benefits to support our veterans in Pennsylvania, visit the state Department of Military and Veterans Affairs website here.
Our offices will be closed today, Tuesday, Nov 11, in recognition of Veterans Day and will reopen on Wednesday, Nov. 12.
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Helping Our Students Take the Wheel
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| Williamson High School Principal Bill Butterfield and PennDOT Secretary Mike Carroll. |
I have an exciting update about a story we first shared early last year...a story that demonstrates how representative government is supposed to work!
A local teacher from Northern Tioga School District reached out to me about the challenges students were facing in accessing testing for their learner’s permit and asked how the process could be improved.
Her inquiry sparked a collaborative discussion between students, school personnel, PennDOT and me. Together, we explored ways to make it easier for students to obtain their driver’s permits, opening the door to greater independence and the opportunity to hold a job. I am excited to share that these conversations have led to a new PennDOT-led pilot project at Williamson High School!
During a visit to Williamson High School last week, PennDOT Secretary Mike Carrol outlined how this pilot program will allow eligible students the opportunity to complete the learner’s permit testing process directly at the school by a PennDOT-approved teacher, eliminating the need to travel to a driver’s license center. This initiative aims to improve accessibility, reduce barriers for rural students, and help ensure that young drivers can safely and conveniently take the first step toward earning their license.
I am proud to see Northern Tioga School District leading the way with this innovative partnership, and I especially want to commend Superintendent Kristopher Kaufman and Williamson High School Principal Bill Butterfield for their forward-thinking leadership and commitment to creating new opportunities for students. By bringing PennDOT services directly to students, we are removing unnecessary obstacles and helping prepare the next generation of safe and responsible drivers. An extra special thank-you to teacher Jamie-Jo Sickler and her class for identifying a significant problem and a sensible solution,
The pilot program began this school year and is being piloted over a two-year period at Williamson High School and Cowanesque Valley High School in Northern Tioga School District. At the conclusion of the two-year pilot period, PennDOT will review results and determine if and how similar programs can be made available to other interested school districts.
To learn more about the process to obtain a learner’s permit in Pennsylvania, visit PennDOT’s Driver and Vehicle Services website.
Many driver and vehicle online services are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week and include driver’s license, photo ID and vehicle registration renewals; driver-history services; changes of address; driver license and vehicle registration restoration letters; ability to pay driver license or vehicle insurance restoration fee; driver license and photo ID duplicates; REAL ID pre-verification; and driver exam scheduling. There are no additional fees for using online services.
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Honoring Some Special Heroes
Volunteer firefighters are vital to public safety in rural Pennsylvania. With courage, dedication and selflessness, they respond to emergencies, protect our homes and keep our communities safe.
Attending our local fire company banquets is something I always look forward to. While I was disappointed that I could not attend the Innes Hose Company’s annual appreciation banquet this year, I could not let 190 years of service go unrecognized. Tara, from the Wellsboro office, was able to attend on my behalf to honor these remarkable men and women for their invaluable service and commitment.
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| Pictured, from left to right, Chief Ray Miller (40 years), LouAnn Vargeson (45 years), Sherry Miller (25 years), Harvey Brown (35 years), and Betsy May (30 years). Not pictured is Taylore Chesla (15 years). |
It was also a special honor to recognize a young hero, Kennadie Finogle, who showed incredible bravery and quick thinking during a life-threatening situation. On March 13, 2024, Kennadie woke to the sounds of popping and saw that the garage and patio of her home were on fire. Thanks to her courage and quick response, she was able to wake her grandparents and get her dogs to safety.
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| Chief Ray Miller and Kennadie F. |
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Protecting Custody Rights of Deployed Military Parents
Parents who serve their country should never lose custody or visitation simply because they answered the call to duty. That’s why I was honored to vote in favor of a new law protecting a parent’s rights during military deployment.
Act 40 of 2025 fixes Pennsylvania child-custody law by preventing any permanent modification of custody or visitation orders while a parent is deployed. The law stops litigants from using the fact of deployment as a reason to alter existing custody arrangements. It also allows parents to delegate visitation rights during deployment and encourages continued communication between parents and children through modern means, such as video calls, when in-person contact is not possible.
The law will take effect in late November.
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New Law to Help Veterans, Students
Pennsylvania schools need teachers, and Pennsylvania veterans will soon be able to put their education and experience to work in the classroom under a new state law.
Act 41 of 2025 makes it easier for veterans to obtain a teaching certificate related to their direct experience in various career and technical education (CTE) fields. Specifically, the law requires the Department of Education to issue a CTE Intern or CTE Instructional I Certificate to a veteran who has served in the United States Armed Forces for a minimum of 8,000 hours in the occupational area to be taught.
This will open new pathways for veterans to become educators and share their valuable hands-on skills and expertise with our students. It’s a win for all involved!
The law will take effect in late December.
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Veterans’ Trust Fund Grant Applications Now Open
The Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA) is inviting applications for the 2026-27 Veterans’ Trust Fund (VTF) grant awards.
Funding up to $40,000 is available to veterans’ service organizations and other nonprofit organizations with a mission of serving veterans. Funding up to $15,000 is available to county departments of veterans’ affairs to support their outreach mission.
Interested applicants are encouraged to join a Teams meeting Thursday, Nov. 12, at 11 a.m., where an overview of the grant guidelines, timeline and application will be provided. Interested parties can email ra-mvvettrustfund@pa.gov to receive the Teams link.
Grant applications must be received no later than 2 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 19. Click here for more information about the program and how to apply.
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A Boost to Education Savings in November for Youngest Pennsylvanians!
State Treasurer Stacy Garrity announced a statewide incentive for Keystone Scholars in November which will give children an even bigger head start on education savings!
Families who claim their child’s $100 scholarship from Keystone Scholars in November and open and link their own companion PA 529 College and Career Savings Program account will get an additional $50. Taking this action in November results in initial education savings deposits of $150.
Keystone Scholars provides a $100 scholarship for every child born in Pennsylvania since 2019. This money grows alongside the child and will be available to use after their 18th birthday for costs associated with four-year degrees, community college, technical training, apprenticeships and credential programs.
To learn more, visit PA529.com/keystone.
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