With nearly 800,000 veterans, Pennsylvania has the fourth-largest veteran population in the country, and the Shapiro Administration has expanded and invested in the services and resources provided to our veterans in the Commonwealth.

Harrisburg, PA – On Nov 8th, Governor Josh Shapiro and First Lady Lori Shapiro joined Chef Robert Irvine and the Robert Irvine Foundation to host Pennsylvania veterans for a luncheon at the Governor’s Residence, honoring their service ahead of Veterans Day which takes place on November 11.

Pennsylvania is home to nearly 800,000 veterans – the fourth-largest veterans’ population in the country. The Shapiro Administration has been working to serve Pennsylvania veterans across the Commonwealth – from making improvements to veterans’ homes to investing in county mental health services and workforce training programs for veterans and military families.

"The First Lady and I were honored to host veterans at the Governor’s Residence on Nov 8th, and we extend our deepest gratitude to all veterans for their commitment and service to our country,” said Governor Josh Shapiro. “Our veterans have defended our Commonwealth and upheld our freedoms, and my Administration is proud to support them every day. We will keep working to ensure that the courageous men and women who safeguarded our freedoms have real opportunity to thrive here in Pennsylvania."

Since taking office, the Shapiro Administration has taken significant steps to support Pennsylvania’s veterans, ensuring they access the benefits they've earned. In the 2024-25 budget(opens in a new tab), Governor Shapiro secured a record $1.1 billion in compensation and pension benefits for veterans – a 10 percent increase over the previous year. Over the past year, accredited veteran service officers, supported by the Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA), have assisted with more than 1,100 veteran inquiries each month, helping veterans connect to their earned benefits.

The 2024-25 budget also dedicates $1.4 million to establish a new walk-in outreach center outside Fort Indiantown Gap, providing a one-stop resource for servicemembers, veterans, and their families to easily access support and benefits.

This year marks the second time Chef Irvine has visited the Governor’s Residence to serve veterans in honor of Veterans Day, through his foundation’s program Breaking Bread With Heroes (BBWH)(opens in a new tab). This initiative provides meals to servicemembers and operates at various locations worldwide, typically at military bases. Since 2022, BBWH has hosted dozens of events, serving over 60,000 servicemembers, veterans, first responders, and their families.

"It’s great to be here for Robert Irvine Foundation's Breaking Bread With Heroes at the Governor’s Residence. To have Governor Shapiro and the First Lady host this event and to provide this beautiful space is a true honor,” said Chef Robert Irvine, Founder of Robert Irvine Foundation. “Today is all about our veterans. Together, we’re showing appreciation, and there’s no better way to show our love for the nation’s heroes than breaking bread over a delicious meal. My culinary team and I are grateful to be here and share this day with all of you."

“We are grateful to Governor and First Lady Shapiro, and Robert Irvine for again honoring Pennsylvania veterans,” said Brigadier General John Pippy, Acting Pennsylvania Adjutant General and head of the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs. “Through special events like this one, we can all continue to show our gratitude to our American heroes for all they have done to preserve our way of life. Together as one team, it is important that we all work to keep veterans in the forefront and assure that their legacy of sacrifice is not forgotten, not just on Veterans Day but every day.”

In the last two years, the Shapiro Administration has supported a broad range of initiatives benefiting veterans. These include improvements to veteran care facilities, such as a new long-term care facility(opens in a new tab) at Pennsylvania’s largest veterans’ home in Hollidaysburg, as well as restoring county mental health funding and creating a Behavioral Health Council(opens in a new tab) to strengthen mental health support for veterans. The Administration also helps veterans transition to civilian life through the Military Crosswalk program(opens in a new tab), which assists veterans in obtaining occupational licenses and jobs.

Additionally, the Administration has invested an additional $61 million over two years in workforce training programs, including apprenticeships and technical education, which benefit veterans in the workforce, along with grants for the Veterans Employment Program (VEP)(opens in a new tab) and PA Veteran Farming Network(opens in a new tab).

Governor Shapiro remains committed to ensuring that veterans who have served Pennsylvania and defended our freedoms can prosper here in the Commonwealth. The Shapiro Administration thanks Pennsylvania veterans for their service and dedication.