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Persian Gulf Veterans Bonus Deadline is This Summer
Veterans who served on active duty in the Persian Gulf Theater of Operations, including Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm, are reminded they have until Aug. 31, 2018, to apply for the Persian Gulf Conflict Veterans’ Bonus.
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, an additional $5,000 is available to the surviving family. Service members who were declared prisoners of war may also be eligible for an additional $5,000.
To qualify, the service member must have:
- Served with the U.S. Armed Forces, a reserve component of the U.S. Armed Forces or the Pennsylvania National Guard.
- Served on active duty in the Persian Gulf Theater of Operations during the period from Aug. 2, 1990, to 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.
Since 2008, more than 9,000 Persian Gulf Conflict veterans have applied for and received a bonus for their war efforts. Individuals who received a bonus or similar compensation from any other state are not eligible for the Pennsylvania program.
For more information about how to apply, click here.
New License Plate Honors PA National Guard
New license plates are now available to members of the Pennsylvania National Guard to honor their service.
The new plates feature the standard Pennsylvania license plate colors of blue, white and yellow, along with a National Guard-approved emblem. This plate may only be used on passenger vehicles and trucks with a registered, maximum gross weight of 14,000 pounds.
Members of the National Guard interested in applying for one of these plates must complete Form MV-150AD, “Application for Members of U.S. Military Registration Plate.” The form requires the service member to certify his/her status as a member of the Pennsylvania National Guard.
The addition of a registration plate recognizing members of the PA National Guard completes an assortment of plates available to Pennsylvania residents with ties to all branches of the U.S. Armed Forces. Additional information and images of a variety of military license plates are available at www.dmv.pa.gov. The fee for the plate is $21.
Monroe County Honors Vietnam Veterans
This year, Vietnam Veterans Day will be observed on Thursday, March 29. To honor all those who served, Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 678 and American Legion Post 903 has requested the Honor Guard to hold a ceremony at the Monroe County Vietnam Veterans Memorial at Courthouse Square in Stroudsburg. The ceremony will start at 11 a.m. All are welcome to attend.
Keep PA Beautiful!
Volunteers are being sought for this year’s Great American Cleanup of Pennsylvania, which began March 1 and runs through May 31. A comprehensive webpage that includes all volunteer opportunities available, from the Great American Cleanup of PA and Adopt-A-Highway to Safety Training, Litter Brigades and more, is available here. The cleanup is sponsored each year by PennDOT, the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful and other partners.
During last year’s cleanup, 132,695 volunteers collected over 5.3 million pounds of litter from Pennsylvania’s roads, trails and shorelines. Over 7,200 events were held, with every county participating.
Groups participating in PennDOT’s Adopt-A-Highway (AAH) program, which involves volunteers cleaning roadsides year-round, are also encouraged to participate in the cleanup, with gloves, trash bags and safety vests provided. In addition, during “Pick It Up, PA Days,” set for April 7-30, registered cleanup events have access to reduced or free disposal at participating landfills, through support from DEP and the Pennsylvania Waste Industries Association.
Grab a Fishing Reel and Mentor a Youth
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To help pass on the sport of fishing for future generations, the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) will host a Mentored Youth Trout Day, scheduled for Saturday, April 7.
Now in its fifth year, the popular program provides adult mentors with an opportunity to take kids fishing before the traditional rush of the regional and statewide opening days of trout season. Last year, more than 30,000 participants joined in.
Beginning at 8 a.m. participants can fish in any PFBC stocked trout water. Kids can keep two trout, which must measure at least seven inches. Mentors must have a fishing license and trout stamp. Because the program is focused on kids, adult mentors are encouraged to fish with the children and provide encouragement and tips, but they must release their catch to the water unharmed.
To participate, adult anglers (16 years or older) must have a valid fishing license and trout/salmon permit and be accompanied by a youth. Youth anglers must obtain a free PFBC-issued permit, or a voluntary $1 youth fishing license. Both are available at www.GoneFishingPA.com or at any of the more than 900 licensing agents across the state.
Small Games of Chance Seminar Set for April
Join us for a Small Games of Chance Seminar, featuring Todd Merlina, an Enforcement Supervisor with the Bureau of Liquor Enforcement. Todd will share useful information for nonprofits, sports leagues, churches, parent-teacher organizations and more. Learn about the laws governing small games of chance in Pennsylvania. Seating is limited and registration is required. To register, call 570-643-7683 or visit www.RepRader.com.
Citizenship in the Community
I recently had the chance to meet with Anthony Tucciarone at my Effort district office. Anthony is a student at Pleasant Valley High School and is working toward becoming an Eagle Scout. I was happy to help him earn his Citizenship in the Community badge.
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