38 Pa.C.S. Ch. 13

38 Pa.C.S. Ch. 13
in effect

38 Pa.C.S. § 1301 Scope of chapter.

This chapter recognizes the contributions of veterans of the United States Armed Forces from this Commonwealth in major conflicts since the Vietnam War.

38 Pa.C.S. § 1302 Persian Gulf War Veterans Day.

(a) Legislative findings and declarations.--The General Assembly finds and declares as follows: (1) On August 2, 1990, Saddam Hussein ordered Iraqi troops to invade and occupy the sovereign nation of Kuwait. (2) The United States led an international coalition demanding Saddam Hussein to withdraw Iraqi forces from Kuwait by January 15, 1991. (3) After Iraq failed to meet the deadline passed by the United Nations Security Council, President George H. W. Bush on January 16, 1991, ordered United States Armed Forces to begin Operation Desert Storm. (4) On January 17, 1991, 750,000 coalition forces from 36 nations, including 540,000 United States Armed Forces, began the battle to liberate Kuwait from occupation. (5) After an intensive air campaign, coalition forces liberated Kuwait City on February 28, 1991. (6) On March 6, 1991, after negotiating a cease-fire, President Bush announced the end of combat operations. (7) By the end of the conflict, 200 United States Armed Forces members were killed, including 29 from this Commonwealth. (8) The bravery of United States Armed Forces and their allies should be recognized for the liberation of Kuwait and restoration of Kuwait's sovereignty as an independent nation. (b) Designation.--March 6 of each year is designated as Persian Gulf War Veterans Day. (c) Proclamation.--The Governor shall issue annually a proclamation encouraging all public schools and educational institutions to observe Persian Gulf War Veterans Day and to conduct exercises recognizing the contributions of all those involved in the Persian Gulf War and remembering the sacrifices they made for their country. The proclamation may not mandate a public school or educational institution to participate in the observance.

38 Pa.C.S. § 1303 Global War on Terrorism Veterans Day.

(a) Legislative findings and declarations.--The General Assembly finds and declares as follows: (1) America's conflict in Afghanistan began in 2001 and became our country's longest military conflict. (2) Following the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, the United States demanded that the Taliban regime stop harboring Al Qaeda, the terrorist organization responsible for the 9/11 attacks, and hand over the Al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden. (3) President George W. Bush ordered United States Armed Forces to begin Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) to combat terrorism in Afghanistan and confront Al Qaeda. (4) United States Armed Forces first entered Afghanistan and began combat operations on October 7, 2001. (5) On May 2, 2011, Osama bin Laden was killed during the fighting after President Barack Obama ordered Navy SEALs to raid Osama bin Laden's compound. (6) On December 31, 2014, the United States and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) combat operations in Afghanistan officially ended. (7) Since the beginning of Operation Enduring Freedom, over 830,000 Americans, including 18,000 from this Commonwealth, have served in Afghanistan. (8) More than 2,000 members of the United States Armed Forces, including 98 from this Commonwealth, were killed in action in Afghanistan since combat began. (9) More than 19,000 members of the United States Armed Forces were wounded in service to their country during Operation Enduring Freedom. (10) When Operation Enduring Freedom ended, the United States began a new phase of the campaign, named Operation Freedom's Sentinel (OFS). (11) United States Armed Forces remain in the country to participate in a coalition mission to train, advise and assist Afghan National Defense and Security Forces and to conduct counterterrorism operations against the remnants of Al Qaeda. (12) During Operation Freedom's Sentinel more than 70 Americans have lost their lives and another 453 have been wounded in action. (13) On March 19, 2003, President George W. Bush announced the beginning of combat operations in Iraq after Saddam Hussein failed to meet the demands of the United States. (14) Operation Iraqi Freedom lasted for more than seven years, reducing the influence of insurgents, stopping sectarian violence, assisting in training the Iraq Security Forces and promoting the development of Iraq's constitution and elections. (15) Major United States combat operations ended on September 1, 2010. American troops remained in the country to advise Iraqi Security Forces as part of Operation New Dawn until the withdrawal on December 15, 2011. (16) More than 4,000 members of the United States Armed Forces lost their lives during Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation New Dawn, including 197 from this Commonwealth, and more than 32,000 were wounded. (17) With the rise of the terrorist group known as the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS), the United States created a new combined joint task force in 2014, dubbed Operation Inherent Resolve. (18) March 23, 2019, marked the end of ISIS controlling any physical territory in Syria and Iraq. (19) United States Armed Forces under Operation Inherent Resolve continue to work by, with and through local partners to defeat the final ISIS force and stabilize the region. (20) The fight against ISIS under Operation Inherent Resolve has claimed more than 80 American lives, with another 80 wounded in action. (21) United States military personnel have served domestically securing key infrastructure and supporting overseas operations. (22) Since September 11, 2001, members of the United States military have served on nearly every continent fighting international terrorism. (b) Designation.--October 7 of each year is designated as Global War on Terrorism Veterans Day. (c) Proclamation.--The Governor shall issue annually a proclamation encouraging all public schools and educational institutions to observe Global War on Terrorism Veterans Day and to conduct exercises recognizing the contributions of all those involved in the Global War on Terrorism and remembering the sacrifices they made for their country. The proclamation may not mandate a public school or educational institution to participate in the observance.

38 Pa.C.S. § 1304 Women Veterans Day.

(a) Legislative findings and declarations.--The General Assembly finds and declares as follows: (1) While women have served in the American military since before we became a nation, they were not officially recognized as military members or veterans until 1948. (2) Women were originally relegated to serving in the civilian fields of nursing, laundering, mending clothing and cooking. (3) Despite this segregation, many women served in war zones alongside their male compatriots, including some women who dressed as men during the Civil War to fight on the front lines. (4) The first woman to enlist in the United States Armed Forces was Loretta Walsh, who enlisted in the Navy in 1917. (5) During World War I, approximately 35,000 women in the United States officially served as nurses and support staff. (6) During World War II, approximately 400,000 women in the United States served in support positions, including 140,000 women who served in the Women's Army Corps performing critical jobs, such as military intelligence, cryptography and parachute rigging. (7) Nearly 500 women were killed by enemy fire during World War II. (8) The first Women Veterans Day was held on June 12, 2018, marking the 70th anniversary of the groundbreaking Women's Armed Services Integration Act (Public Law 80-625, 62 Stat. 356), signed into law by President Harry S. Truman on June 12, 1948. (9) That Federal law enabled women to serve as permanent, regular members of the United States Army, Marine Corps, Navy and the recently formed Air Force. (10) Throughout the years, the role of women continues to grow in all branches and phases of operations of the United States Armed Forces. (11) Currently, women serve freely alongside men in any branch or role they desire and comprise a substantial portion of new recruits, active duty members and reserve components of the United States Armed Forces. (12) Women Veterans Day is not considered a separate day for only women veterans, but a tribute to a groundbreaking day when women were acknowledged as essential to the war effort and could serve as permanent, regular members of the United States Armed Forces. (b) Designation.--June 12 of each year is designated as Women Veterans Day in this Commonwealth. (c) Proclamation.--The Governor shall issue annually a proclamation encouraging residents of this Commonwealth to observe Women Veterans Day and recognize the contributions of all women veterans and the sacrifices they made. (Nov. 3, 2022, P.L.1944, No.129, eff. imd.) 2022 Amendment. Act 129 added section 1304.

38 Pa.C.S. § 1305 Tuskegee Airmen Commemoration Day.

(a) Legislative findings and declarations.--The General Assembly finds and declares as follows: (1) During World War I, African Americans were prohibited from serving as military pilots in the United States Armed Forces due to their race. (2) In response to advocacy by civil rights leaders and the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, the Congress of the United States approved funding designated for the training of African-American military pilots in 1939. (3) On March 22, 1941, the United States Army Air Corps 99th Pursuit Squadron was activated to become the first African-American fighter squadron. (4) The members of the 99th Pursuit Squadron were the first to be known as Tuskegee Airmen because they had received their initial flight training at Moton Field, a segregated air base in Tuskegee, Alabama. (5) Other Tuskegee Airmen would later form the famous 332nd Fighter Group, also known as the "Red Tails" due to the distinctive red marking on the tail of their aircraft. (6) Between 1941 and 1946, nearly 1,000 African-American military pilots were trained in Tuskegee, Alabama. (7) During World War II, the Tuskegee Airmen flew more than 15,000 sorties and lost only 66 men in the line of duty, one of the lowest loss records of any escort fighter group. (8) The courage, dedication and service of the men and women of the Tuskegee Airmen continues to inspire both military personnel and civilians of all backgrounds throughout this country. (b) Designation.--March 29 of each year is designated as Tuskegee Airmen Commemoration Day. (c) Proclamation.--The Governor shall issue annually a proclamation encouraging all public schools and educational institutions to observe Tuskegee Airmen Commemoration Day and to conduct exercises recognizing the contributions of the Tuskegee Airmen and remembering the sacrifices they made for their country. The proclamation may not mandate a public school or educational institution to participate in the observance. (Nov. 3, 2022, P.L.1994, No.138, eff. 60 days) 2022 Amendment. Act 138 added section 1305.

38 Pa.C.S. § 1306 Vietnam War Veterans Day.

(a) Legislative findings and declarations.--The General Assembly finds and declares as follows: (1) The Vietnam Conflict was fought in Vietnam from 1961 to 1975 and involved North Vietnam and the Viet Cong in conflict with the United States and South Vietnam. (2) The United States became involved in the Vietnam Conflict because policymakers in the United States believed that if South Vietnam fell to a communist government then communism would spread throughout the rest of Southeast Asia. (3) Members of the United States Armed Forces began serving in an advisory role to South Vietnam in 1961. (4) As a result of the Gulf of Tonkin incidents on August 2 and 4, 1964, the Congress of the United States overwhelmingly passed the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution (Public Law 88-408) on August 7, 1964, effectively handing over warmaking powers to President Lyndon B. Johnson until the time of the return of peace and security to Vietnam. (5) In 1965, United States Armed Forces ground combat units arrived in Vietnam. (6) By the end of 1965 there were 80,000 United States troops in Vietnam. (7) By 1969, a peak of approximately 543,000 troops was reached. (8) On January 27, 1973, the Paris Peace Accords were signed, requiring the release of all United States prisoners of war held in North Vietnam and the withdrawal of all United States Armed Forces from South Vietnam. (9) On March 29, 1973, the United States Armed Forces completed the withdrawal of combat troops from Vietnam. (10) On March 30, 1973, the last of the United States Armed Forces landed at home. (11) More than 58,000 members of the United States Armed Forces lost their lives in Vietnam and more than 300,000 members were wounded. (12) The Vietnam War was an extremely divisive issue among the people of the United States and a conflict that caused a generation of veterans to wait too long for the public of the United States to acknowledge and honor the efforts and services of those veterans. (13) The members of the United States Armed Forces who served bravely and faithfully for the United States during the Vietnam War were often wrongly criticized for the decisions of policymakers that were beyond the control of those members. (14) In 1982, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial was dedicated by President Ronald Reagan in the District of Columbia to commemorate those members of the United States Armed Forces who died or were declared missing in action in Vietnam. (15) In 2012, President Barack Obama signed a presidential proclamation designating March 29 as the annual observance of Vietnam War Veterans Day. (16) In 2017, President Donald J. Trump signed into law the Vietnam War Veterans Recognition Act of 2017 which designates March 29 each year as National Vietnam War Veterans Day and amended the United States Flag Code to include National Vietnam War Veterans Day as a day on which the flag should be flown. (b) Designation.--March 29 of each year is designated as Vietnam War Veterans Day in this Commonwealth. (c) Proclamation.--The Governor shall issue annually a proclamation encouraging all public schools and educational institutions to observe Vietnam War Veterans Day and conduct exercises recognizing the contributions of all those involved in the Vietnam War and remembering the sacrifices they made for their country. The proclamation may not mandate a public school or educational institution to participate in the observance. (Oct. 29, 2024, P.L.1093, No.124, eff. 60 days) 2024 Amendment. Act 124 added section 1306.

38 Pa.C.S. § 1307 Korean War Veterans Armistice Day.

(a) Legislative findings and declarations.--The General Assembly finds and declares as follows: (1) The Korean War was fought in the Korean Peninsula from 1950 to 1953 and involved North Korea in conflict with South Korea supported by the United States. (2) The United States became involved in the Korean War on account of Cold War tensions promoting fear of Communism spreading into South Korea and throughout Asia. (3) On June 25, 1950, the Korean People's Army of North Korea invaded South Korea, leading to the acquisition of South Korea's capital, Seoul. (4) Following the invasion of South Korea, President Harry Truman ordered the United States Armed Forces to support South Korea on June 27, 1950, to serve as a police action. (5) On July 1, 1950, the first ground troops of the United States Armed Forces arrived in South Korea. (6) Prior to the invasion of South Korea, only 510 troops were based in South Korea. (7) By 1953, a peak of approximately 326,863 troops was reached. (8) On July 27, 1953, the Korean War Armistice was signed, preserving the independence of North Korea and South Korea while maintaining a demilitarized zone between the two nations. A formal peace treaty was never signed. (9) In December 2021, South Korea, North Korea, China and the United States agreed to declare a formal end to the Korean War. (10) Approximately 36,000 members of the United States Armed Forces lost their lives in Korea, more than 92,000 were wounded and 8,000 were missing. (11) The Korean War has been referred to as the Forgotten War from a lack of media attention following World War II. (12) The insufficient public awareness does not allow the members of the United States Armed Forces who served bravely and faithfully for the United States to be duly recognized. (13) In 1995, the Korean War Veterans Memorial was completed and dedicated in the District of Columbia to commemorate those members of the United States Armed Forces who served in Korea. (b) Designation.--July 27 of each year shall be designated as Korean War Veterans Armistice Day in this Commonwealth. (c) Proclamation.--The Governor shall issue annually a proclamation encouraging all public schools and educational institutions to observe Korean War Veterans Armistice Day and conduct exercises recognizing the contributions of all those involved in the Korean War and remembering the sacrifices they made for their country. The proclamation may not mandate a public school or educational institution to participate in the observance. (July 20, 2026, P.L. , No.45, eff. 60 days) 2026 Amendment. Act 45 added section 1307.
Source: Open US Law by Vaquill AI (CC BY 4.0)URL: https://www.palegis.us/statutes/consolidated/view-statute?txtType=HTM&ttl=38Fetched: 10/16/2026