LZ:DC: Pennsylvania Sons Honor Congressman

This week, the Pennsylvania Sons of AMVETS met with most of the Pennsylvania Congressional Delegation during their annual Capitol Hill visits as part of LZ:DC.

On Wednesday, the Sons hosted a special meeting with Rep. Jason Altmire, D-Pa., where they presented Altmire with an award for his continued dedication to veterans' causes.

Though the award does not have an official name yet, the Pennsylvania Sons have acknowledged that the award will now be an annual tradition when the group comes to Washington to advocate for American veterans and their loved ones.

During their visits with legislators, the Pennsylvania Sons not only advocated for AMVETS Legislative Priorities for 2011, but bolstered support for the Veterans for Equal Treatment of Service Dogs Act, of VETS Dogs Act, which AMVETS helped to champion on Capitol Hill and officially announced yesterday alongside Rep. John Carter, R-Texas, who introduced the bill, Rep. Michele Bachmann, R-Minn., one of the bill's original cosponsors, AMVETS Acting Legislative Director Christina Roof, and AMVETS Kevin Stone and Sue Downes.

Details and highlights from the bill's introduction will be available later today on American Veteran and the LZ:DC timeline.

The Pennsylvania Sons explained the bill in detail and encouraged their representatives to sign on as cosponsors as soon as they had the chance.

Pat Brown, a member of the Sons Squadron from Lancaster AMVETS Post 19, said that most members were enthusiastic about the bill and eager to learn how they could support.

The bill, which would close a loophole that has prohibited certain veterans utilizing service dogs from receiving VA care, already has extensive bipartisan support in only a few short days since it was drafted.

The Pennsylvania Sons schedule 13 meetings with their Congressional delegation this week and dropped by the offices of their entire delegation to hand-deliver copies of the AMVETS Legislative Agenda.

American Veteran continues to follow the Sons of AMVETS and all participants in this week's LZ:DC. Check back regularly for updates from the LZ.

(Images: Top: Pennsylvania Sons of AMVETS present Rep. Jason Altmire, D-Pa., with their inaugural award, recognizing service and advocacy on behalf of American veterans. Middle: The Pennsylvania Sons pose for a photo with Rep. Tim Holden, D-Pa., on Capitol Hill. Bottom: The Pennsylvania Sons review their schedule and materials between meetings on Capitol Hill. Photos courtesy of Pat Brown.)

Keeping Posted Online: Pa. AMVETS award engraved sabers to Soldier, NCO, and Airman of the Year

At the 25th annual Pennsylvania National Guard conference, Army Spc. Desirea R. Gardiner was honored as Pennsylvania's Soldier of the Year and Army Sgt. Christopher A. Grabowski was honored as Non-commissioned Officer of the Year. Each soldier was awarded the Army Commendation Medal by Maj. Gen. Jessica Wright, Pennsylvania adjutant general.

Gary Fry, past commander of the AMVETS Department of Pennsylvania, also took part in the evening's events by presenting Gardiner and Grabowski with engraved non-commissioned officers' sabers on behalf of AMVETS Department of Pennsylvania in recognition of each soldier's demonstrated leadership.

Air National Guard Airman of the Year, Senior Airman Brent Beckner, was serving overseas at the time of the conference. He will also receive a commendation from Maj. Gen. Wright and an engraved saber from AMVETS at a special ceremony later this year.

(Photos: Top: Spc. Gardiner, along with her AMVETS sabre, poses for a photo with Gary Fry and Maj. Gen. Wright during the Pennsylvania National Guard Conference in May 2009. Bottom: Sgt. Grabowski, along with his AMVETS sabre, also poses for a photo with Fry and Wright during the conference. Photos courtesy of Judy Fry and the AMVETS Department of Pennsylvania.)