Sentinel photo by SIERRA BOLGER
State Rep. David Rowe speaks with veterans and their families Thursday night at the Mifflin County Veterans Association meeting.

LEWISTOWN — State Rep. David Rowe of the 85th District appeared as a guest speaker at the Thursday Mifflin County Veterans Organization meeting to discuss benefits and services for Pennsylvania veterans and their beneficiaries.

The Mifflin County Veterans Organization meets monthly at St. John’s Lutheran Church to share a meal, converse and hear from people in the community.

Rowe handed out gift bags containing a certificate and a pin to show gratitude to those who served. The bags also contained a booklet with information about benefits available to eligible Pennsylvania veterans.

“We appreciate everything you have done,” said Rowe.

Those services and benefits consist of the disabled veterans’ real estate tax exemption, veterans’ temporary assistance, blind veterans’ pension, education gratuity, Persian Gulf conflict veterans’ bonus, state veterans’ homes, the Pennsylvania veterans’ trust fund, honoring our veterans license plate, military family relief assistance program, the Pennsylvania veterans’ memorial, veterans service officer support, veterans mobile outreach and much more.

Those unable to attend this meeting who would like this information can reach out to any of Rowe’s offices or contact the Mifflin County Veterans Affairs office.

Rowe also shared legislative updates with veterans and their families.

“We did pass the state budget, but some things in there were a little concerning,” said Rowe.

“One of those things are provisions that attempt to penalize low-tax school districts, forcing them to raise property taxes in order to incentivize them for more state money,” added Rowe.

Rep. Rowe also said that he thinks municipalities and school districts should be rewarded for being fiscally responsible.

“I was happy to vote no on that because it just isn’t fair,” said Rowe.

Forms for the Borough of Lewistown Military Banner Program were also made available at the end of the meeting. Veterans who did not attend the meeting can get a form at the Veterans Affairs office. For $90 interested persons can honor a veteran from any branch of service with a double-sided banner that includes hardware to mount it and the installation to display the veteran of their choosing.

For any questions regarding the banner program contact krauch@lewistownborough.com

Officials also discussed the Wills for Heroes Foundation. The Pennsylvania Bar Association Young Lawyers Division partnered up with the Wills for Heroes Foundation and the Philadelphia law firm of Ballard Spahr LLP to provide free estate planning services to Pennsylvania’s first responders and military veterans.

For more information on this program visit www.pabar.org/public/yld or call the Pennsylvania Bar Association Young Lawyers Division at (800) 932-0311.

The next Mifflin County Veterans Association meeting is slated for 6 p.m. Sept. 26 at St. John’s Lutheran Church.