Military Caucus Aims to Preserve PA Bases

A new bipartisan caucus in the state’s General Assembly hopes to ensure Pennsylvania’s military bases survive the scrutiny of the U.S. Department of Defense.

The Military Installations and Base Development Caucus wants to preserve all of Pennsylvania’s installations when the Department of Defense starts its next Base Realignment and Closure Commission, possibly in 2015.

Co-chairman and Senator John Blake says considering both military employment and defense-related business, the state’s bases generate billions of dollars and more than 160,000 jobs.

The Lackawanna County Democrat says the new caucus will be serve as a liaison between the bases, the state legislature, and Congress. Blake says this is especially important in light of the possibility of a Closure Commission in four years. He says to keep its bases, the Commonwealth must be competitive with other states.

“I don’t know if they’ve set it up as a caucus of the general assemblies, but I can tell you that there’s evidence of much stronger dialogue between state legislators and Congressional delegations in other states like Alabama, I believe Louisiana,” says Blake. “There might be other states with heavy defense spending where I think that there’s a more seamless, more routine communication between the federal delegation and the state assembly.”

The Department of Defense lists eight military installations in Pennsylvania on its website, including two in Pittsburgh. Blake says the military caucus will hold its first meetings this fall.

County Announces Bids Start on Commissary

A new commissary is planned to be built on Allegheny County owned property across from the McGarity Reserve Center in Moon Township. Commissaries are military supermarkets where current and past service members can find goods at a cheaper cost because their salaries tend to be less than private sector ones. The Redevelopment Authority of Allegheny County (RAAC) announced that staff will solicit bids for construction. The commissary is expected to be about 43,000 square-feet and cost up to $17 million.

Allegheny County Executive Dan Onorato says this bodes well for the future of a military presenece in Southwest Pennsylvania. "Well the fact that we are one of the few on the BRAC report (The Defense BASE Closure and Realignment Commission)to get put back on shows the significance of the strategic importance of Southwest Pennsylvania, plus the men and women that serve in the military here."

Congressman Tim Murphy (R-18 PA) says that a new commissary is needed because the old one is an antique. "It is 50 something years old, it has many signs of wear and tear and it needs to be replaced in a more convenient location. In part because that base is going to close in the next couple of years and when it closes down we lose that base. A couple of years ago, I asked the Pentagon to please keep that commissary open at least until we build a new one, and they agreed to."

Murphy says that while the county is now announcing that it will take bids, they still have to get approval from the Senate Armed Services Committee. He says that once it passes, the county can legally start bids 30 days after.

The U.S. Army Office of Personnel and Readiness agreed to keep operating the current commissary in Oakdale until the new one can take on its duties. Currently, about 165,000 people rely on the commissary.

Altmire GI Bill Amendment Passes

As the U.S. Congress renewed the Post-9/11 G.I. Bill it also closed a loophole thanks to a change put forth by a Pittsburgh area Congressman. The act is aimed at getting traditional education benefits given to veterans into the hands of more National Guard members and Reservists.

When the bill was originally passed it excluded Guardsmen who served stateside. Congressman Jason Altmire of McCandless says local members of the National Guard brought this to his attention. Under the amendment introduced by Altmire and passed today, members who are called up for border security, natural disaster or other domestic duties can receive the G.I. Bill benefits. Altmire says by closing the loophole approximately 130,000 additional National Guardsmen qualify for the Post-9/11 G.I. Bill’s benefits.

“The point is that this is an issue of fairness, these are people who have served their county,” says Altmire, “ and we want to make sure that everyone who has served… is able to qualify.”

Altmire says, “America’s National Guardsmen provide invaluable service to our country during times of crisis. It is only right that they too should benefit from the largest expansion of veterans’ education benefits since World War II.” To qualify for the Post-9/11 G.I. Bill’s benefits, veterans must have completed at least 90 days of active-duty service since September 11, 2001. Until the amendment was passed only days served overseas counted.

The G.I. Bill benefit caps are based on the cost of education in the recipient’s home state. Altmire says for a Pennsylvanian that adds up to $24,000 in tuition reimbursement plus an additional $1,000 to offset the cost of books and other educational expenses. Veterans can also pass along the benefits to their children.

The law still needs to be signed by the President but Altmire says that should not pose a roadblock. It will go into effect January 1st.

Vets Parade Steps Off In Pittsburgh

The traditional Veterans Day Parade stepped off at 10:30 this morning with a long line of bands, veterans and active duty members of the military. Bill White was among those at the head of the parade. He served his country during the Korean War and says he is proud of his time in the army and of all the men and women who have served in the military. He says he is pleased that there is such a big parade in Pittsburgh. “The only problem I have, I wish that all the schools were closed today so that some of the students could attend,” says White, “I find a problem with the fact that schools can be closed for [other holidays] and not the Veterans day Parade. Without the veterans there would be no schools.”

General Peter Lennon of the 316th Sustainment Command in Coraopolis brought about 100 members of his unit to march in the parade. He says men and women in the military love to come to Pittsburgh because they are always well supported. He says this is a way for him to show respect for the city and to honor the vets that have come before him.
Along with the veterans and active members of the military the parade featured politicians, local high school marching bands and the Pittsburgh Firefighters Memorial Pipe Band.

Listen to a tune performed by the Pittsburgh Firefighters Memorial Pipe Band.

Science Center to Host Sunday Memorial Service

The submarine U.S.S. Requin will welcome back some of her former sailors Sunday morning, when the Carnegie Science Center hosts a special Memorial Day weekend service on deck.

Science Center Curator of Historic Exhibits Patty Rogers says the service will start at 10:00 a.m. with a pledge to the American flag. Next, veterans of the Cold War-era Requin will toll the sub’s bell once for each American submarine that is now on “Eternal Patrol” under the sea. Rogers says the veterans will then cast flower petals into the water, in hopes that they reach their comrades still at sea.

Rogers says the service will conclude at about 11:00 a.m. with a 21-gun salute from a local Marine Corps League. The event is without charge and the submarine will be available for free tours for the rest of the day.

Also, HBO has set up a kiosk in the Science Center where visitors can record a short thank-you to veterans or active service members. Rogers says if desired, the video can instantly be sent to a specific soldier or sailor.