Thanking Our Veterans
By Rep. Steve Mentzer (R-Lititz)
This Veterans Day, while ceremonies may be limited due to Covid-19, our thanks and appreciation for the men and women who have served our country is as strong as ever.
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 renamed Veterans Day in 1954 to celebrate the contributions of veterans of all wars.
Also, the state Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA) is reminding veterans and their beneficiaries who face an unexpected financial need for the necessities of life, such as food, shelter, fuel and clothing, that help is available through the DMVA’s Veterans Temporary Assistance (VTA) program. Eligible veterans or their beneficiaries can qualify for an amount not to exceed $1,600 in a 12-month period. Eligibility requirements include: a person who served in the Armed Forces of the United States (discharged under honorable conditions), died in service or was killed in action, or suffered a service-connected disability.
For more information about this and other programs and services to support veterans and their families, visit
DMVA.pa.gov.