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Senate Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
Senate of Pennsylvania
Session of 2021 - 2022
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | June 1, 2022 12:20 PM |
|---|---|
| From: | Senator Lisa Baker |
| To: | All Senate members |
| Subject: | Service Bonus for Veterans of Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) and Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) |
| In the near future, I will introduce legislation that will award a monetary bonus to veterans of the global war on terror, specifically Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) and Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF). As you know, Pennsylvania has a long and proud history of recognizing the service and sacrifice of our veterans. We support those serving our country over an important time spectrum; as an individual service member while enlisted, as a family during deployment, and as a veteran once honorably discharged from the military. One unique, historical recognition has been the granting of a monetary bonus for service during an active theater of war. Our commonwealth has made this acknowledgement following service in the Spanish-American War, World War I, World War II, the Korean Conflict, the Vietnam War, and the Gulf War. It is one more way to express our gratitude for the sacrifices made during armed conflict. The 20th anniversary of 9/11 observed last year also marked the end of the global war on terror. With the official conclusion of both OIF and OEF, it is appropriate for Pennsylvania to again remember and salute the sacrifice of our service members who selflessly worked to protect us during this very uncertain and dangerous time. As was the case with previous awards, the bonus would be available to all qualified veterans who were Pennsylvania residents at the time of their service and are current residents. This proposal will provide a flat-rate bonus to those who served in-theater as well as an additional bonus if the service member was a POW or to the surviving family if the service member was KIA. For the first time, we will involve accredited Service Officers from the State, County and Veteran Service Organizations, who are Accredited Representives recognized by the United States Department of Veteran Affairs (USDVA) and have full access to veteran benefit records in the process to ensure applicants are advised of their earned VA Benefits. This will help identify qualified veterans eligible to receive the bonus as well as further connect these individuals with other programs and benefits for which they have earned eligibility. Thus, government can better and more fully serve those who have served us. Previous efforts and awards enjoyed the enthusiastic support of our War Veterans’ Council and state Veterans’ Service Organizations, and these groups appear eager to engage again. Thank you for considering joining this important acknowledgement of the tremendous contributions made by those who answered the call when we needed it the most. |