Thank You Veterans

November 9, 2018

Thanking Our Veterans

Throughout the nation this weekend, communities will pay tribute to veterans with a variety of parades, ceremonies and dedications.

This year also marks the 100th anniversary of the armistice which ended World War I, on the 11th hour, of the 11th day of the 11th month. President Woodrow Wilson declared a national day to commemorate the armistice a year later in 1919. That has since become Veterans Day.

The sacrifices these men and women make – all to protect our freedoms and our way of life – can never truly be repaid. We are forever in their debt, and we continue to be grateful for all they do.

For more about the history of Veterans Day, click here.

New Laws to Benefit Military and Veterans

To help families of active-duty military members and veterans, two laws were recently enacted by the Pennsylvania General Assembly.

Act 119 of 2018 requires public school entities to provide support services and information to a student when a parent or guardian is deployed for active duty.

To help raise additional funds for veterans’ programs and services, Act 149 of 2018 allows applicants for a two-year vehicle registration to double their donation to the Veterans Trust Fund, when completed online.

These new laws are in addition to the Stolen Valor Law, Act 9 of 2017, which was also enacted this session. This law makes it a crime for someone to misrepresent military service or honors for the purpose of fraudulently attempting to obtain money, property or other benefits.

Registry Puts Veterans in Touch with Services

To help ensure veterans have access to the wide range of support services and programs available to them, the Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs has compiled an online registry to better connect veterans with available resources.

Registration – which includes submitting basic information such as name, age, home address, email, etc. – takes only a few minutes, and can be done here.

Through this registry, veterans can choose to have their information shared with their county director for veterans affairs and other relevant state agencies. They can also opt in to receive timely, informative emails regarding local, state and national news; program updates; community events; and employment opportunities available specifically for veterans.

PennDOT Driver License, Photo Centers Closed for Veterans Day

PennDOT’s full-service center in Harrisburg and all of its driver license and photo centers will be closed Saturday, Nov. 10, through Monday, Nov. 12, for Veterans Day.

Customers may still obtain a variety of driver and vehicle products and services, including all forms, publications and driver training manuals, online through PennDOT’s Driver and Vehicle Services website.

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; and driver exam scheduling. No additional fees are charged for using online services.

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