This Veterans Day, Pennsylvania is turning Its back on the veterans who served us

Every Veterans Day, Pennsylvania comes together to honor the men and women who served our country in the military. Politicians deliver speeches, attend ceremonies, wave American flags and remind us of the sacrifices made by those who defended our freedoms.

But this Veterans Day, those words ring hollow for veterans like me and others across Pennsylvania.

That’s because some of the same lawmakers who attend events at American Legions and VFWs, to thank veterans for their service, failed to take action that could have helped keep their posts open.

For months, veterans organizations warned Harrisburg that failing to pass legislation regulating skill games would devastate their finances. They explained that revenue from these games helped pay utility bills, maintain aging buildings and equipment, support struggling veterans and fund charitable programs throughout their communities. Nothing happened. 

As a reminder, in June, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court gave lawmakers 120 days to regulate skill games, or they would be deemed illegal. That was an opportunity for the General Assembly to establish a regulatory framework that protected veterans organizations, volunteer fire companies, fraternal clubs and small businesses while generating at least $300 million a year in revenue for Pennsylvania.

Instead, lawmakers failed to reach an agreement. On October 13, skill games had to be shut down, taking away an important source of income for countless community organizations.

Now, less than a month later, Pennsylvania’s veterans are paying the price.

At American Legion and VFW posts across the Commonwealth, leaders are confronting difficult financial realities. Some are cutting charitable donations. Others are exploring ways to reduce expenses even though they already were operating on a shoestring. Some fear their organizations may close altogether.

These are places where veterans find friendship, understanding and support. They are places where someone struggling after military service can sit beside another veteran who understands what they’ve experienced without needing an explanation.

They are also pillars of their communities.

American Legions and VFWs help veterans facing financial hardship, sponsor youth activities, provide scholarships and assist families during difficult times. At our American Legion we used a portion of our skill money to boost community programs. 

When these organizations lose revenue, there is a trickle-down effect. The consequences extend far beyond our membership.

And for what?

Pennsylvania lawmakers had proposals before them that would have regulated skill games, established oversight and generated tax revenue while allowing veterans organizations, small businesses and others to continue benefiting from skill machines.

There were legitimate disagreements over tax rates, licensing requirements and how these games should be regulated. Those questions deserved serious debate and a workable compromise.

But disagreement should not have become an excuse for doing nothing.

The irony is impossible to ignore.

We ask our veterans to demonstrate courage, discipline and leadership in the most difficult circumstances imaginable. Yet when these same veterans needed leadership from their elected officials, Harrisburg couldn’t deliver.

Veterans didn’t ask for a government handout. We asked for a reasonable regulatory solution that would enable our organizations to remain financially sustainable and continue serving our communities.

Instead, we were left scrambling to replace revenue we had come to depend on, in some cases for over a decade. Who could go back and sustain themselves on the income they received a decade ago?

This Veterans Day should be about more than speeches, ceremonies and expressions of gratitude.

It should be a moment of accountability.

Pennsylvania’s elected leaders should recognize the consequences of their inaction and return to Harrisburg committed to finding a responsible legislative solution.

That means establishing clear rules, appropriate safeguards and a fair tax structure that recognizes the important role veterans organizations play in Pennsylvania.

Veterans are watching. As our posts face an uncertain future, we deserve more than another round of political promises.

We deserve action.

The best way to honor Pennsylvania’s veterans isn’t simply to thank us for our service one day a year. It’s to stand with us when we need help.