News Detail

Franklin County Salutes Service Members, Veterans During Military Appreciation Month

Commissioners

May 22, 2025

Pictured (from left): Franklin County Commissioner John Flannery, Commissioner Chairman Dean Horst, Franklin County Veterans Affairs Administrative Assistant Tabitha Newlin, Veterans Affairs Coordinators Stephen Grace and Tracy Burk, and Commissioner Bob Ziobrowski

CHAMBERSBURG, Pa. – The Franklin County Commissioners have proclaimed May 2025 to be Military Appreciation Month and are encouraging residents to honor the commitment and sacrifice made by current, former and fallen members of all branches of the U.S. armed forces.

Military Appreciation Month serves as a reminder of the important role U.S. armed forces have played in the history and development of the United States. Several observances throughout May – including Armed Forces Day, Memorial Day, VE Day and Military Spouse Appreciation Day – give Americans an opportunity to value, recognize and honor the service and sacrifices made by all members of the U.S. military and their loved ones.

Nearly 1.3 million Americans are currently serving as active personnel in the U.S. armed forces, and over 760,000 are serving in the National Guard and Reserves nationwide. Pennsylvania ranks fourth in the U.S. for the highest number of veterans. Locally, more than 13,000 veterans reside in Franklin County. Additionally, the county has been the proud home of the Letterkenny Army Depot since 1942; to this day, the depot remains one of the county’s largest employers.

“When men and women join the armed services, they are signing more than just a contract for a specific enlistment period; they’re signing a contract to give their lives for their country,” said Franklin County Commissioner Chairman Dean Horst. “We can never say enough about the sacrifices our military members and their families make every day to keep all of us safe. On behalf of a grateful nation, we say thank you for your service.”

The Franklin County Office of Veterans Affairs is dedicated to serving the needs of veterans and their families through benefit coordination, advocacy and outreach. One of those outreach efforts is Franklin County MilitaryShare, which provides free, fresh, nutritious food once a month to Franklin County families with at least one member who has served or is serving in the armed forces. Currently more than 1,200 individuals participate in this program each month.

The department’s newest program offers veterans free weekly shuttle service to veterans’ affairs facilities in Hagerstown, Maryland, and Martinsburg, West Virginia, thanks to a partnership with rabbittransit.

For more information on Franklin County Veterans Affairs services and outreach efforts, contact the Franklin County Office of Veterans Affairs at 717-263-4326 or visit www.franklincountypa.gov/departments/veterans-affairs.