HARRISBURG, Pa. — Legislation sponsored by Sen. Doug Mastriano (R-33) to designate July 27 as Korean War Veterans Armistice Day in Pennsylvania was approved by the House of Representatives with strong bipartisan support today.
“Without the courage of American troops and our allies, South Korea’s fate could have mirrored that of North Korea — a dictatorship marked by oppression and suffering,” Mastriano said. “Their sacrifice ensured that South Korea remained free, sparing millions from the horrors of totalitarian rule. We owe it to those who fought and died to assure that their legacy is never forgotten.”
Senate Bill 511 permanently sets July 27 as Korean War Veterans Armistice Day in Pennsylvania in honor of all U.S. service members who fought on the Korean Peninsula from 1950-53. Nearly 1.8 million American soldiers served in the war. More than 36,000 lost their lives, and more than 100,000 were wounded.
Mastriano also led the initiative to place Vietnam War Veterans Day (March 29) into state law and supported measures marking Persian Gulf War Veterans Day (March 6) and Global War on Terrorism Veterans Day (Oct. 7).
Senate Bill 511 now advances to the governor’s desk, the final step before it becomes law.
Another bill sponsored by Mastriano is also headed to the governor’s desk. It is a bill to ensure families of deceased service members are notified of burial benefits available through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, which was approved with strong bipartisan support by the House of Representatives.
“A little bit of communication can make a big difference for families during a difficult time,” Mastriano said. “The men and women who served in our country’s military deserve to be laid to rest with dignity and respect. I’m grateful this important measure is one step closer to becoming law.”
Senate Bill 130 would require licensed funeral directors, funeral parlors or cemetery companies to provide notification of a deceased service person to counties within 96 hours of receiving their remains. It would also require these entities to provide the family of the deceased service person with contact information for the county veterans affairs director
