Issue No. 4 Volume 62 2026
THE RAMP
Lines In at Taylor's Cove
700 Barksdale Road, Suite 2 Newark, DE 19711
Colonial on Capital Hill New Chapter Website VA Hiring Update
www.colonialpva.org
& More
NATIONAL SERVICE OFFICERS COLONIAL PVA OFFICERS
PRESIDENT
KATHLEEN FITZPATRICK kfitzpatrick@colonialpva.org
VICE PRESIDENT
WILMINGTON: 302-994-2511 Ext. 36038 BALTIMORE: 800-795-3606 PHILADELPHIA: 800-795-3628 D.C.: 800-424-8200
CDCE REPRESENTATIVES
ANN ADAIR anncadair@aol.com
WILMINGTON: CRYSTAL YOUNG-TERRELL BALTIMORE: ROBERT REUTER/ANN ADAIR
SECRETARY
VA HOSPITALS
JERROD HARRIS jharris@colonialpva.org
TREASURER
CHRISTOPHER BRYANT chrisdvbryant@gmail.com
BOARD MEMBERS JENNIFER SMALL jsmall@colonialpva.org CHARLES WIDDOES ccwiddoes@gmail.com ROBERT REUTER accessys@accessys.net Victor "Haze" Diaz vdiaz@colonialpva.org JOHN PEPE dailydriver66@gmail.com
WILMINGTON: 302-994-2511 BALTIMORE: 410-605-7000 PHILADELPHIA: 215-823-5800 EAST ORANGE: 973-676-1000 RICHMOND: 804-675-5581
PVA PHONE NUMBERS CHAPTER OFFICE: 302-861-6671 BENEFITS HELPLINE: 866-734-0857 CAREGIVER SUPPORT: 855-260-3274 HEALTHCARE HELPLINE: 800-232-1782 JOB ASSISTANCE: 202-416-7795 LEGAL SERVICES: 800-424-8200
MEMBERSHIP SERVICE CONNECTED: NON-SERVICE CONNECTED: TOTAL VOTING MEMBERS: AFFILIATE: TOTAL MEMBERSHIP:
159 64 223 60 283
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: JASON SPOHN EDITOR: VICTOR "HAZE" DIAZ
Chapter President's Report President’s Message – September 2026 Dear Colonial Chapter Members, I find myself reflecting on just how much has happened over the past year. When I began this journey as your President, I knew I was taking on an important responsibility. What I didn’t fully appreciate was how much I would learn from our members, our volunteers, our staff, and the many people who give their time and energy to make Colonial PVA such a special organization. Throughout the past year, we have continued moving our Chapter forward while staying focused on what matters most serving our members. We have strengthened our programs, expanded opportunities for participation and connection, and worked to ensure that your needs and voices remain at the center of everything we do. I am especially proud of the work happening across our Chapter. From our MS and Women Veterans programs to Sports & Recreation, advocacy, peer support, and the many other ways we serve our members, there is a tremendous amount taking place behind the scenes. Sometimes that work is visible at an event or activity; other times it happens quietly through a phone call, a conversation with a member, or helping someone navigate a challenge. Every one of those efforts matters, and every one contributes to the strength of our community. I also want to recognize our Board of Directors and our staff for their continued commitment to Colonial PVA. Strong organizations do not move forward because of one person—they move forward because people work together, share ideas, ask hard questions, and remain committed to the mission. I am grateful to serve alongside individuals who care so deeply about our Chapter and the veterans we represent. And to our volunteers—thank you. You give your time, your talents, and your hearts to this organization. Whether you are helping at an event, serving on a committee, supporting a program, or simply being there for another member, you are an essential part of the Colonial PVA family. Most of all, I want our members to know that you are the reason we are here. Your experiences, ideas, challenges, and successes shape the direction of this Chapter. Please continue to tell us what is working, what could be better, and what you would like to see from Colonial PVA. We may not always be able to do everything, but we always benefit from hearing from you. As we look toward the remainder of 2026 and beyond, I am excited about what we can accomplish together. We have a strong foundation, dedicated people, and a clear mission. There is still much work to do, but our best work happens when we do it together. Thank you for allowing me the privilege of serving as your President. It is an honor I do not take lightly, and I am grateful every day for the opportunity to serve this remarkable community. With gratitude,
Kathleen Fitzpatrick
Kathleen Fitzpatrick President Paralyzed Veterans of America, Colonial Chapter
Executive Director's Report Friends, Members, and Family, As we wrap up another fiscal year, I wanted to take a moment to look back and say a huge thank you for your trust, your strength, and your support. Here at the Colonial Chapter, we have never cared about how big our organization can get, or how much money we can sit on in the bank. For us, success comes down to a few incredibly simple questions: Are our members being taken care of? Are you being heard? Do you know that we are here for you? By that standard, this past year has been nothing short of amazing. Even though we are PVA's smallest chapter, we’ve proven that a tight-knit community can make a massive difference. Instead of measuring our year in spreadsheets, we measure it in the conversations we've had. Over the last 12 months, our team has personally reached 162 of our 223 members by phone, text, or email. Sometimes those calls were about navigating a complex VA health issue or securing an earned benefit, but just as often, they were simply to ask, "How are you doing?" and listen. We brought those exact stories with us to Capitol Hill, ensuring lawmakers looked at the real faces behind our mission in Delaware, Maryland, and New Jersey. Because of that personal approach, we locked in 93 percent of the legislative appointments we requested in a single day, proving that a small chapter can still command a massive voice. We also made sure to listen closely to our members who told us they needed more ways to stay active and connected. In response, we doubled our funding for sports and recreation, creating real spaces for lifelong friendships to form. That same spirit of showing up and building relationships is why our New Jersey community grew from just three veterans to more than 25 this year. To keep all 13 of our core programs running and protect our 40-year legacy of investing over $2.1 million in home accessibility ramps and modifications, we had to work harder than ever to fundraise. Together, we brought in over $462,000 this fiscal year—and we made sure 76 percent of every single dollar went straight back into services that directly impact your daily independence and dignity. Speaking of staying connected, I want to share a quick piece of reassurance. As we keep working hard to check in on everyone, our peer outreach team will be hitting the phones and sending out emails over the coming weeks. If you see a phone number or an email address you don’t recognize, please don’t worry; it is just a fellow member trying to get a hold of you. We want to ensure that no one in our family feels isolated, so please feel entirely safe picking up the phone or replying to say hi! Behind every dollar raised, every meeting held, and every ramp built is a member who got the support they earned and a voice that refused to be ignored. Thank you to our members for your trust, their families for everything they do, and to our donors for making this work possible. You are the absolute heartbeat of this chapter. With deep gratitude, JoAnn Bedsworth Executive Director Colonial Chapter of Paralyzed Veterans of America
SEPTEMBER Heriberto Santiago 09/01 Joseph Yungandreas 09/01 Scott Spitnale 09/03 Stephen Tyler 09/03 Adolph Gardner 09/04 Beth Blough 09/05 Sandra Draughon 09/10 Carol Kelsey 09/13 James Shields 09/14 Thomas Grimm 09/15 Donald Henderson 09/19 Dorothy Michael 09/20 Shawn Gregory 09/20 William Walls 09/23 Darell Veney 09/24 Christopher Watson 09/25 Joel Houston 09/25 Phyllida Paterson 09/25 Robert Allen 09/25 William Key 09/26 Eugene Walker 09/30
OCTOBER
BIRTHDAYS Roddy Devoid 10/20
Amy Drumheller 11/23
Christopher Skoczylas 10/21 Richard Kleinen 10/30
Thomas Bowditch 11/24 David Huffman 11/24
Edwin Dunfee 10/31
Norman Fields 11/24 Peter Dimitri 11/25
NOVEMBER Joseph Duffy 11/01 Russell Collins 11/01 Barbara Shultz 11/03 Frank Buchanan 11/03 Daniel Little 11/03 Anthony Lombardo 11/05 Lawrence Goldman 11/07 William Miller 11/09 Paul Stewart 11/09 Adam Worch 11/12 Michael DeStasio 11/17 James Wade 11/18 Douglas Schemmel 11/19 Charles Roe 11/20
Mark Christie 11/28 Jerome Adams 11/28
DECEMBER Danielle Butler 12/01 David Bean 12/11 Karen Miller 12/12 Richard Myers 12/14 Charmaine Jackson 12/16 Craig Ward 12/17 Noland Watts 12/24 Lorenzo Young 12/25 Thomas Clinton 12/26 Terry Deputy 12/27
Craig Carpenter 11/21 Marc Mest 11/21 Karl Paulson 11/22
Dean Lewis 10/03 Gilbert Hendricks 10/04 Ricky Sykes 10/04 Cynthia Marco 10/04 Angelia Anderson 10/07 Steven Yaros 10/10 John Silivanch 10/11 Barton Kessler 10/14 Shannon Falls 10/14 Robert Gianni 10/15
TAPS
David Wands - 10/20/2025 Alfred Watson - 01/12/2026 Mark Bieberich - 02/24/2026 David Riley - 02/25/2026 John Rine - 04/28/2026 Charles Branson - 06/04/2026 Thomas Parson - 06/12/2026
Colonial PVA Programs OPEN TO EVERYONE
MS Program
Host Jerrod Harris and Co-Host Jennifer Small produce and deliver monthly Teams meetings that takes our members on a journey and connects them to their peers. You get to hear from your peers about living and managing their MS, and they are known to have guest speakers who give resources and support for navigating everyday life.
Meeting ID: 276 269 285 59 Passcode: CV9YRy Women Veterans Program The Colonial Chapter of the PVA provides an opportunity for women veterans to form bonds, share experiences, remind the community and themselves that they served too! Chair Betty Geer and Co-Chair Kathleen Fitzpatrick have virtual meetings on the first Tuesday of every month on Zoom.
Meeting ID: 251 605 671 835 05 Passcode: ue334Jb6 NSO Town Hall
Colonial PVA members are invited to our first National Service Officer Town Hall on Thursday, October 29, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. Eastern. This virtual session with Joseph R. Weeks Jr. will cover VA Direct Care, including eligibility, VA and community care, specialty care, referrals, and coordinating healthcare.
Meeting ID: 260 382 342 030 527 Passcode: F7T6dL2s
PARALYZED VETERANS OF AMERICA
COLONIAL CHAPTER 2027 CALENDAR OF EVENTS Delaware · Maryland · New Jersey · Philadelphia · Washington, DC
VIRTUAL
JAN
28
IN PERSON
Virtual National Service Officer Town Hall
FEB
Adaptive Curling Clinic
TBD
Delaware
MAR
All members, families, and caregivers welcome
Adaptive Recreational & Outdoor Travel Guide
VIRTUAL
IN PERSON
VIRTUAL
TBD
APR
Air Rifle & Air Pistol Clinic
TBD
Maryland
MAY
27
Virtual National Service Officer Town Hall
JUN
PVA Capitol Hill Advocacy and Legislation
TBD
Washington, DC
JUL
15 AUG
IN PERSON
VIRTUAL
IN PERSON
Book Review and Discussion
VIRTUAL
First Annual Colonial Picnic
IN PERSON
TBD
SEP
2-Day Adaptive Fishing Event
TBD
Dameron, Maryland
OCT
7th Annual Gallen Getaway
IN PERSON
IN PERSON
TBD
NOV
18 DEC
Virtual National Service Officer Town Hall
Holiday Party
VIRTUAL
IN PERSON
TBD
Colonial Chapter PVA · 700 Barksdale Road, Suite 2 · Newark, DE 19711 (302) 861-6671 · colonialpva.org · Membership & programs are free Dates and locations subject to change. Contact the chapter office to register.
Delaware City Refinery Names Colonial Chapter a Recipient of Its Annual Celebrity Golf Tournament The Colonial Chapter of Paralyzed Veterans of America was honored to be named one of the recipients of the Delaware City Refinery’s annual celebrity golf tournament. At a breakfast ceremony following the event, chapter staff and Delaware Government Relations Director Karen Miller accepted a check for $12,000 toward Colonial PVA programs that serve veterans living with spinal cord injury and disease across Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, the Philadelphia area, and Washington, D.C. Every organization selected this year received the same $12,000 award. Colonial PVA stood among a wide circle of Delaware nonprofits chosen by refinery employees and vendor partners: 4-H Youth Development; Blood Bank of Delmarva; Community House & Empowerment Connections; Delaware Sunshine Foundation; Delaware City Fire Company – Station 15; Delaware City Food Bank/Delaware City Lions Club; Delaware City Rotary; Delaware Junior Golf Scholarship Fund; Delaware Foundation for Science & Mathematics Education; Pancreatic Cancer Foundation; Faith Deanna Johnson Foundation; Food Bank of Delaware; Healthy Foods for Healthy Kids Delaware; JPF Memorial Foundation; Move 2 Include; Newark Boys & Girls Club; Reedy Point Players; Ronald McDonald House of Greater Delaware; American Legion Post #30; The Harvest Outreach People Project; and the United Way of Delaware. The Delaware City Refining Company, part of PBF Energy, has made this annual golf fundraiser a hallmark of its community work. Employees select the recipients, which is why the gift carries special weight: it comes from neighbors who see the chapter’s work up close. For Colonial PVA, the $12,000 will go directly to programs—adaptive sports and recreation grants; accessibility needs such as ramps, equipment, and home modifications; peer support and caregiver services; advocacy that protects the benefits veterans earned; and outreach that keeps isolated members connected. A grant of this size is practical. It can underwrite equipment, event costs, travel for adaptive activities, and the essential work of making a home or vehicle accessible. It is also local. The people who selected Colonial PVA live and work in the same communities our members call home. Their confidence in our mission is a reminder that paralyzed veterans are neighbors—and they are seen. On behalf of our approximately 320 members, their families, and their caregivers, the Colonial Chapter extends sincere thanks to the Delaware City Refinery, its employees, and the partners who made the tournament and breakfast ceremony possible. We are proud to stand among this year’s recipients and committed to putting every dollar to work in the service of veterans with spinal cord injury and disease.
Newsletter Article Submission Do you have an idea for an article in an upcoming edition of The Ramp for the Colonial Chapter? Do you have news, information, or a story you would like to share with our members, volunteers, and donors? Reach out today for the next edition! Please send your submissions to Jspohn@colonialpva.org or call the office at 302-861-6671
Board of Directors election results
live
november 12 2026 12:00 pm on teams Meeting ID: 229 881 068 953 122 Passcode: jS7KH3Dm
2026 Holiday Party Saturday, December 5th, 2026
12:00 PM - 3:00 PM Please join us for our annual Holiday Party - an afternoon of good food, warm company, and a few surprises the chapter has been quietly preparing. After lunch, the afternoon takes an unexpected turn. Come ready to play along, keep your wits about you, and enjoy some holiday theatrics. Details stay under wraps until you walk through the door - that is part of the fun.
THE AFTERNOON
PLEASE NOTE
Festive lunch and fellowship
Members, families, caregivers and guests
Beautiful location with good company
Space is limited - register early
A live program with a twist
Accessible Venue throughout
Come curious, leave with a smile
Dress: festive & comfortable
RESERVE YOUR PLACE Register on Zeffy or call the chapter office: (302) 861-6671
Scan the QR Code to Register
Colonial Chapter Athletes Bring Home Gold from the National Veteran Wheelchair Games Detroit, Michigan • July 9–14, 2026 When more than 500 Veteran athletes rolled into Detroit this July for the 45th National Veterans Wheelchair Games, Colonial Chapter members were right there among them—competing hard, cheering louder, and coming home with a haul of medals that would make any chapter proud. The Games, co-presented by the Department of Veterans Affairs and Paralyzed Veterans of America, remain the world’s largest annual wheelchair sports and rehabilitation event exclusively for U.S. military Veterans. This year’s milestone gathering marked 45 years of adaptive competition, stretching from the original 77 athletes in Richmond in 1981 to a full week of more than 20 sports across Huntington Place, Belle Isle, and venues throughout Metro Detroit. For Colonial Chapter members, the week was about more than scoreboards. It was about classification, practice, and the first whistle; about late-night conversations in hotel hallways; and about proving, once again, that a wheelchair is equipment—not a finish line.
Colonial Chapter Athletes Bring Home Gold from the National Veteran Wheelchair Games
Medalists from the Colonial Chapter Edwin Dunfee — Gold Medal in Pickleball and Gold Medal in Softball. Dunfee’s pickleball gold came on a championship run that also made national coverage of the Games. He and doubles partner Justin Hall captured the advanced wheelchair pickleball doubles title, ending a three-year drought for a new champion pair. He added softball gold the same week—two sports, two golds, one very full medal case.
John Pepe — Gold Medal in 9-Ball; Bronze Medal in Basketball and Bronze Medal in Bowling. Pepe put together one of the most versatile weeks of any Colonial competitor. He owned the 9-ball table for gold, then earned bronze on the basketball court and on the lanes. That mix—precision cue work, team basketball, and bowling—captures what the Games reward: athletes who will try the next event as readily as they defend a title. Crystal Young-Terrell — Gold Medal in Discus, Gold Medal in Javelin, and Gold Medal in Shot Put; Silver Medal in Cycling, Bowling, and Adaptive Fitness. Young-Terrell was a force in the field events, sweeping gold in discus, javelin, and shot put. She was just as busy off the throwing circle, adding silver in cycling, bowling, and adaptive fitness. Six medals in a single Games is an extraordinary week by any standard —and a reminder that Colonial Chapter women are among the strongest multi-sport athletes in the PVA family. David Bean — Gold Medal in Cornhole; Silver Medal in Table Tennis and Boccia; Bronze Medal in Horseshoes. Bean stacked four medals across four different sports. Cornhole gold anchored the week, with silver in table tennis and boccia and bronze in horseshoes. That spread—from bags to paddles to ramps to horseshoes—is classic Wheelchair Games: show up, compete, and find another event that fits.
Jai Johnson — Gold Medal in Softball and Gold Medal in 9-Ball. Johnson closed the week with gold in two of the Games’ most watched events. Softball gold put her alongside Dunfee on a championship squad, and 9-ball gold added another individual title. Two golds, two very different skills, one strong showing for the Chapter.
Colonial Chapter Athletes Bring Home Gold from the National Veteran Wheelchair Games Paul Stewart — Silver Medal in Individual Fishing and Silver Medal in Team Fishing; Bronze Medal in Disc Golf and Bronze Medal in Discus. Stewart’s week stretched from the water at Belle Isle to the field and the disc golf course. He earned silver in both individual and team fishing, then added bronze in disc golf and discus. Four medals across three very different venues—that is the Games at their best, and another strong showing for the Chapter.
Rahshe Byrd — Gold Medal in Softball, Gold Medal in Bowling, Gold Medal in Powerlifting, and Gold Medal in Field Sports as well as 2 silver medals in fields sports as well. Byrd swept gold across four events and put together one of the Chapter’s broadest weeks in Detroit. Softball gold put him with Dunfee and Johnson on a championship squad. Bowling gold, powerlifting gold, and gold in field sports rounded out a clean sweep —strength, precision, and team play, all on the top step of the podium.
More Than Medals Anyone who has been to the National Veterans Wheelchair Games knows the medals are only part of the story. First-time athletes find a community that already understands the work of rehab, the vocabulary of classification, and the particular humor of Veterans who have been through more than a sports schedule can measure. Returning athletes become unofficial coaches in the staging area. Families fill the stands. PVA staff and VA recreation therapists keep the week moving. That is the point of the Games, and it has been since PVA joined the VA as co-presenter in 1985: adaptive sport as rehabilitation, camaraderie as medicine, and competition as proof that life after injury is not a lesser version of the life before it. Colonial Chapter members who competed—medalists and those still chasing a first podium—represented Delaware, Maryland, and New Jersey with the same grit the Chapter has asked of its members for decades. The Chapter congratulates every athlete who made the trip to Detroit, and especially Edwin Dunfee, John Pepe, Crystal Young-Terrell, David Bean, Rahshe Byrd and Jai Johnson for a week that will be remembered in The Ramp for a long time. Next year’s Games are already on the calendar: Orlando, Florida, in 2027. Colonial athletes who want to get in the pipeline —novice or veteran—should talk with Chapter leadership and their VA recreation therapy team. Classification, training, and travel support start earlier than most people think. Congratulations to our Colonial Chapter medalists.
From Application to Offer: What VA's Faster Hiring Process Means Adapted for The Ramp from VA News, September 1, 2026 Federal job hunting has long meant sending an application into the void and waiting—sometimes more than 60 days. For veterans living with spinal cord injury or disease, that delay is more than an inconvenience. VA now says it is using a 30-day hiring model: once a job announcement closes, qualified candidates should be screened, interviewed, onboarded, and on duty in no more than 30 days. For Colonial Chapter members in Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, the Philadelphia area, and Washington, D.C., that can mean a paycheck instead of another month of uncertainty. VA is trying to get there by pairing HR more closely with hiring managers, cutting repeated paperwork, limiting resumes to two pages plus short skills assessments, tightening announcement windows, and starting security documents earlier. “People don’t want to wait 60 days or longer to see if they are going to get the job,” said Tracey Therit, VA’s chief Human Capital officer. “We want to get the right folks where we need them to serve the Veterans.” What happens after you apply: A person still reviews your resume. AI may flag minimum qualifications, but it does not decide whether you fit the job. Applicants can expect up to four updates: application received; eligibility reviewed; referred or not referred to the hiring manager; selected or not selected. If you are found ineligible, the messages stop. Wait times still vary. You get an automatic receipt on USAJOBS. Later notices depend on how long the announcement stays open, how many eligible people applied, and how fast the job must be filled. After the announcement closes, HR builds a ranked federal hiring certificate. That is when you learn if you were referred. Interviews follow, then the selection decision. Don’t take yourself out of the running Read the whole announcement. Match your two-page resume to the listed qualifications. Attach every required document the first time. Complete any competency assessment. “Take the time to thoroughly read the job announcement and ensure that your resume is truly speaking to those qualifications,” said Sheila Willis, executive advisor to the Chief Human Capital Officer.
Applying for VA Work With a Disability: Preference, Schedule A, Local Jobs VA’s faster hiring clock only helps if the application is complete—and if you use every hiring path available to veterans with spinal cord injury or disease. Veteran preference still counts. Honorably discharged veterans may receive 5- or 10-point preference on many competitive federal jobs. Preference does not guarantee selection, but it can move you up the certificate that HR sends the hiring manager. Claim it on USAJOBS and upload the documents the announcement lists (usually a DD-214 and, for 10-point preference, a VA disability letter). Schedule A is a separate door. Schedule A is a noncompetitive hiring authority for people with disabilities, including many PVA members. You apply to a posted job and also submit a Schedule A letter from a licensed medical professional, vocational rehab counselor, or federal disability program. You can still use veteran preference. Ask the announcement whether the job will accept Schedule A applicants. Keep the packet short and local. Stick to the two-page resume VA now expects. Name the VA facilities you can actually reach—Wilmington, Perry Point, Baltimore, Washington, Philadelphia, East Orange, and community clinics across Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, and the D.C. area. A resume that never mentions SCI/D care, accessibility, or Veterans is easier to skip.
Visit ColonialPVA.org Chapter Forms
More Ways To Give
Be sure to visit the brand-new Colonial Chapter Website Today! (302) 861-6671
Upcoming Events
Member Information
700 Barksdale Road Suite 2 Newark, DE 19711
A Faster Path Through Security For Some Veterans Not every veteran can skip the TSA PreCheck fee, but a growing number of severely disabled veterans now can. Under the Veterans Expedited TSA Screening Safe Travel Act, signed into law on Jan. 4, 2025, eligible veterans may enroll in and renew TSA PreCheck at no cost. The Department of Veterans Affairs began issuing fee-waiver letters in June 2026. The benefit is narrow by design. Applicants must be enrolled in VA health care and have a service-connected disability that caused permanent blindness, or that caused loss of a limb, loss of use of a limb, or full or partial paralysis and requires a VA-issued wheelchair or prosthetic limb. Family members are not covered. Active-duty service members already receive PreCheck through their Department of Defense ID number; Gold Star and military survivor families have a separate free path; military spouses may receive a $25 discount. Other veterans still pay the standard enrollment fee, typically about $77 for five years. TSA PreCheck lets approved travelers keep shoes, belts, and light jackets on and leave laptops and 3-1-1 liquids in carry-on bags while using dedicated lanes. For veterans who use a wheelchair or prosthetic, fewer extra screening steps can make travel less physically demanding as well as faster. Eligible veterans do not apply to the VA for the waiver. The VA identifies those who qualify and posts a TSA PreCheck Application Fee Waiver Letter in their VA.gov account under Benefit letters and documents. After downloading the PDF, veterans complete enrollment through an authorized provider—most commonly IDEMIA—emailing the letter first with “VETS Safe” in the subject line to receive an offer code, then finishing the online application and a short in-person visit for fingerprints and a photo. Membership lasts five years and can be renewed at no cost while eligibility continues. A waiver letter does not guarantee approval; applicants must still pass TSA’s background check and other standard requirements. Veterans who believe they qualify but do not see a letter can contact the VA through Ask VA. For those who do qualify, the program is a small, practical recognition that service-connected injuries should not add another barrier at the airport.
Gallen Getaway Is Almost Here October 14th - 16th 2026, the Colonial Chapter's Annual Gallen Getaway will see members join together for a fun few days of camaraderie, games, and entertainment. This annual event grows every year with many returning annually to see their Colonial family. This year it will be held at the Eden Resorts & Suites in Beautiful, Lancaster Pennsylvania. Everyone will meet up for some entertainment that Wednesday evening followed by a big Bocce and 9-ball tournament. After we moved the event last year to the Hard Rock Hotel in Atlantic City, we decided to move this annual event every year to make it not only fun but memorable at the same time. Wait until you see what we come up with for 2027!
Transform Lives - Help Build Brighter Futures With Your Donation Support Our Veterans with a One-Time or Monthly Gift and Receive a T-Shirt as a Thank You Your one-time or monthly contribution will not only make a difference in the lives of seriously injured veterans but also earn you a special t-shirt as a token of our appreciation. This t-shirt serves as a reminder of the vital impact you're having in empowering veterans and helping them reclaim their independence. Since 1968, Colonial PVA Has Been Making a Difference At Colonial PVA, we provide personalized, free programs that support veterans in their journey to live fully and independently. We help them regain what they fought for— freedom and self-sufficiency, in a world that offers few solutions to the immense challenges they face. Founded in 1968, Colonial PVA is a proud member of the Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization chartered by Congress in 1947. Our mission is to promote the health, well-being, and independence of our members and the disabled community through education, medical research, therapy (physical, psychological, and recreational), and advocacy for barrier-free access. Together, we can make a real difference. Thank you for being part of our mission to improve lives and restore hope.
Shirt Size
★ ★ ★ THE RAMP · COLONIAL CHAPTER NEWSLETTER INSERT ★ ★ ★
COLONIAL CHAPTER
PARALYZED VETERANS OF AMERICA Serving veterans with spinal cord injury & disorder · Delaware · Maryland · New Jersey · Philadelphia · Washington, D.C.
VETERANS DAY 2026 · WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 11
VETERAN DEALS · FREE MEALS · RETAIL SAVINGS Honor those who served. Bring proof of service (VA ID, DD-214, CAC, veteran-designated license, or PVA card). Most free meals are dine-in, one per guest, at participating locations only. Call ahead — franchises decide. Compiled September 2026 from public brand announcements; terms can change.
BREAKFAST & COFFEE
NATIONAL MEALS & RETAIL
PHILLY · NJ · DE · MD · D.C.
Denny's
Applebee's
Sheetz (PA/MD/DE)
Free Original Grand Slam, 5 a.m.–noon. ID or DD-214.
Free entrée from special menu + $5 bounce-back. Dine-in.
Cracker Barrel
Chili's
Free half turkey sub + fountain drink. Free $9 wash where offered.
Free Sunrise Pancake Special. Dine-in.
Free meal from select menu. Participating, dine-in.
Food Lion (DE/MD)
IHOP
Olive Garden
10% off in-store Nov. 11 with MVP card + military ID.
Free Red, White & Blueberry pancakes. Participating.
Free entrée from special menu. Dine-in.
Autobell (MD/DE)
Bob Evans
Golden Corral
Free Ride-Thru exterior wash. No ID required. Rain date Nov. 12.
Free farm-fresh entrée from the special menu.
Free dinner buffet, typically 4 p.m.–close.
The Greene Turtle (MD/DE/DC)
Dunkin'
Texas Roadhouse
Free donut. In-store only — not the app.
Free meal voucher on Nov. 11; redeem later.
Free meal up to $15 Nov. 11. 15% off the member’s meal every day.
Starbucks
Outback
Free tall brewed coffee. Spouses often included.
Free Bloomin' Onion + drink. 10% Heroes daily.
Krispy Kreme
Buffalo Wild Wings
Free doughnut + coffee at participating shops.
10 free boneless wings + fries with ID.
Wawa (PA/NJ/DE/MD)
Chipotle
Free any-size hot coffee for vets, active duty & families. Often no ID.
BOGO entrée 4–8 p.m. in-restaurant with ID.
Firehouse Subs Buy any size sub, second free with ID.
Target / Walgreens / Kohl's Target 10% (2 txns thru 11/11). Walgreens 20% 11/8–11. Kohl's 30% 11/10–11.
Great Clips / Sport Clips Free haircut (or a future-cut card) at participating salons.
Founding Farmers (DC/MD) 50% off dine-in brunch, lunch or dinner. ID, DD-214, or uniform.
Metro Diner (Philly area) 50% off Nov. 11 with military ID. 10% off year-round.
Margaritas Mexican (NJ) 50% off the check Nov. 11. 25% everyday military discount in NJ.
Hoss's Steak (PA/MD) Free soup/salad/bread/nacho/dessert bar + iced tea + next-visit voucher.
Atlas Restaurant Group (Baltimore) Typically 50% off the check for parties of 8 or fewer. Call first.
Thompson Restaurants (DC/MD) 15% off everyday at Matchbox, Milk & Honey, Hen Quarter & sister brands.
MTA Maryland Historically free Local Bus, Metro Subway, Light Rail, MARC & Mobility with ID.
Sesame Place (Langhorne, PA) 50% off single-day tickets for veterans thru 2026 via ID.me.
HOW TO USE THIS GUIDE ■ Bring ID. Accepted proof usually includes VA / VHIC card, DD-214, CAC, state veteran license, PVA membership card, or uniform. ■ Call first. “Participating locations only” means the franchise owner decides. A 60-second call saves a trip. ■ Go early. Golden Corral, Applebee’s, and Texas Roadhouse lines get long. Breakfast windows (Denny’s, IHOP) close mid-day. ■ One offer per guest is the rule. Most free meals exclude alcohol, tax, and tip. Bounce-back cards have expiration dates — use them. ■ This flyer is a member service of The Ramp / Colonial PVA — not an endorsement. Offers are set by the businesses, not by PVA.
COLONIAL CHAPTER PVA · 700 Barksdale Road, Suite 2, Newark, DE 19711 (302) 861-6671 · colonialpva.org · info@colonialpva.org · Membership is free Peer-led community for veterans with SCI/D, MS, and ALS since 1968. Programs, advocacy, and recreation grants at no cost to members. Not affiliated with listed brands. Verify terms before you go. Printed for The Ramp — Colonial Chapter, Paralyzed Veterans of America.
DC UPDATE - PARALYZED VETERANS OF AMERICA
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SENATE HOLDS CONGRESSIONAL ROUNDTABLE ON VDC PROGRAM PVA’s 2026 In early September, the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee held a roundtable focused on VA’s Veteran Directed Care (VDC) program. VDC is an important home and community-based services program that gives eligible veterans greater control over how their long-term care needs are met. The Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act (Public Law 118–210) established VDC in statute and directed the department to make it available through every VA medical center within two years of enactment. It also reinforced veterans' ability to direct their own services, authorized VA to work with community organizations, such as Area Agencies on Aging and Centers for Independent Living, and required the department to address staffing and administrative needs for the program. Conversation at the Senate roundtable focused on VDC availability, consistency in its management across VA facilities, staffing and funding challenges, oversight, and employment outcomes of transitioning service members. Section two of the EO, “Requiring Prompt Sharing of Military Personnel and Medical Records,” directs that within 180 days the VA and the Department of Defense (DOD) establish updated information technology systems and policy guidance and memoranda to improve the sharing of records between the two departments. The EO also states that a new digital tool should be developed to streamline a veteran’s application for access to benefits and create a comprehensive single source that includes job training and opportunities offered by the Department of Labor (DOL). Section three, “Accelerating Veterans’ Access to Quality Employment,” directs the appropriate secretaries of DOL, DOD, and the VA to ensure each service member leaving active duty, to the extent practicable, is connected to job fields related to their skills and interests; enrolled in career or technical education, such as an apprenticeship or training program; or be connected with a veteran representative to facilitate applications for healthcare, disability benefits, and other services offered by the VA and DOL. The EO does not authorize additional funds or appropriations to make these things happen. DOD, VA, and DOL currently work together to offer transition support for all service members and veterans. However, continued gaps in those services are a longstanding concern.
HUD MEMO CHANGES STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS FOR FHA CONSTRUCTION VIOLATIONS On August 31, the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity issued an internal memorandum containing new guidance on the Fair Housing Act’s (FHA) statute of limitations for claims alleging violations of design and construction requirements. The new guidance essentially shortens the time people are allowed to bring such claims. The memo rescinds compliance, 35 stations are expected to be completed in fiscal year 2026, and 100 percent compliance is expected by 2029. Amtrak is investing $1.8 billion in projects. The website indicates which projects are completed; in design; in construction; the construction is completed and awaiting final verification; or that Amtrak is not responsible for that station. Visitors to the website can click or search a station to see the station-specific status.
Chapter Voices Rise on Capital Hill In June 2026, members of the Colonial Chapter of Paralyzed Veterans of America joined roughly 150 chapter leaders and caregivers from across the country in Washington, D.C., for PVA’s annual Advocacy Legislation Seminar. The gathering focused on training, policy briefings, and direct engagement with lawmakers on issues that shape daily life for veterans with spinal cord injuries and disorders. The Colonial Chapter, based in Newark, Delaware, and serving veterans in Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, the Philadelphia area, and Washington, D.C., has made advocacy a core part of its work since the chapter was established in 1968. Its roughly 320 members—veterans from every branch living with SCI/D, MS, or ALS—rely on that presence in the capital as well as local programs that include benefits counseling, adaptive recreation, caregiver support, and the Accessibility Needs Program. Chapter participation was strong enough that the monthly MS support meeting was canceled so members could attend the seminar. President Kathleen Fitzpatrick, an Army veteran living with multiple sclerosis and co-chair of the Women Veterans Program, was among those representing the chapter. The seminar included first-class training on PVA’s 2026 policy priorities, among them strengthening VA specialized SCI/D care, expanding long-term services and supports, and protecting disability rights. During the event, PVA honored Maryland Congressman Steny Hoyer with the 2026 Gordon H. Mansfield Congressional Leadership Award—recognition that carried particular meaning for a Mid-Atlantic chapter whose members live in the districts Hoyer and neighboring lawmakers represent. Colonial PVA reported engaging 22 legislators in Washington the prior year; the seminar offered another chance to press those relationships on healthcare access, benefits, and community accessibility. For Colonial members, the trip was not only national strategy. It was a reminder that peer-led advocacy— veterans speaking from lived experience—remains the chapter’s most direct way to improve VA care and independence for the people they serve when they return home.
Lines In at Taylor's Cove Colonial Chapter members, caregivers, and staff spent September 15–18 at Taylor’s Cove on St. Jerome’s Creek in Dameron, Maryland, for the chapter’s annual adaptive fishing trip aboard Fish Redeemer. The chapter-sponsored outing provided lodging, meals, campground access, and all gear. Two days of guided fishing were the heart of the week; the 15th and 18th covered travel and wrap-up. Redeemer is the 46-foot wheelchair-accessible Chesapeake deadrise that docks at 49600 Freeman Road. Members roll from a graded path onto a floating dock and through a wide transom door, then fish an open cockpit with a Seakeeper gyro, grab rails at chair height, and a lift to an accessible head. No license or prior experience is required. That design is why the chapter keeps coming back: getting on the water is not the hard part of the day. The fish cooperated. On both fishing days the party reached the bluefish limit, and the total catch for the trip—members together with chapter staff—was 98 fish. Spot, croaker, and the first rockfish of the fall mixed in as well, but the blues set the pace. Mid-September on the lower Bay was dry and pleasant before weather turned later in the month, and the crew kept lines in and tangles out. Evenings belonged to the arbor, the cleaning station, and whoever claimed the biggest fish with a straight face. Newer members watched veterans who already knew how to brace a rod and spend a long morning outside without paying for it the next day. That is the trip in one sentence: lines in, barriers out, and 98 fish to prove it. Thanks to the Fish Redeemer crew, the hosts at Taylor’s Cove, and every member, caregiver, and volunteer who made the drive. Next up: the Gallen Getaway, October 14–16, at the Eden Resort in Lancaster. For next year’s fishing dates, call (302) 861-6671 or write info@colonialpva.org
VA Launches Psilocybin Trial for Veterans With Treatment-Resistant Depression The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs has launched a new clinical trial to test whether psilocybin can safely and effectively treat major depression in Veterans, including those who also have post-traumatic stress disorder. The study, called PIVOT (Psilocybin Intervention for Veterans Overcoming Treatment-Resistant Depression), follows President Trump’s executive order on accelerating medical treatments for serious mental illness. That order aims to expand clinical trial participation and speed research and review of psychedelic therapies. VA Secretary Doug Collins said too many Veterans live with mental health conditions that do not respond to current treatments. The trial, he said, is part of an effort to evaluate new options and provide meaningful relief. PIVOT is a randomized, controlled trial. It will enroll Veterans with treatment-resistant major depressive disorder, with or without concurrent PTSD, and compare two psilocybin dosage levels. Researchers will measure depression before and after treatment, how well participants tolerate side effects, and patient-reported outcomes. The trial will run at five VA sites: Birmingham VA Health Care System and Tuscaloosa VA Medical Center in Alabama; VA Portland Health Care System in Oregon; Corporal Michael J. Crescenz VA Medical Center in Philadelphia; and VA Puget Sound Health Care System in Seattle. VA said participant safety is the top priority. The study will use pharmaceutical-grade drug in a controlled clinical setting, follow safety protocols developed with the FDA, and include psychological support. VA is already involved in 20 other active clinical trials of psychedelic therapies for mental health. All such research follows strict federal safety rules. The FDA has granted breakthrough therapy designation to several psychedelic programs, including those involving psilocybin, MDMA, and LSD. VA will consider clinical use outside research only after FDA approval. VA strongly discourages self-medication with psychedelics or other unprescribed substances and notes that proven treatments are already available. Veterans should consult their providers before changing care. The trial is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov as NCT07226232.
MEMBER REIMBURSEMENT
All chapter members will be entitled to $100.00 per fiscal year to use towards activities such as dining out with your spouse, going to the movies, attending events, hotel stays, vacation expenses, hobby supplies, etc. Receipts for such activities will need to be dated and mailed to the Colonial Chapter office (700 Barksdale Rd, Suite 2, Newark, DE 19711) by the end of the fiscal year (09/30/2027). Receipts dated before 10/01/2026 will not be accepted. For more information, please contact the chapter office at 302-861-6671.
UPCOMING BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETINGS
The Colonial Chapter of the Paralyzed Veterans of America meets every 2nd Wednesday of the month in person or via Microsoft Teams. Social Hour is from 09:50 a.m. - 10:50 a.m. with the meeting starting at 11:00 a.m. sharp. Upcoming meeting dates are: October 14th, November 11th, 2026, December 9th, 2026, January 13th, 2027.
Meeting ID: 215 631 287 892 Passcode: DZMqiD or by Phone: 929-352-1921; ID#: 496 063 288#
COLONIAL CHAPTER Paralyzed Veterans of America Delaware • Maryland • New Jersey Philadelphia Area • Washington, DC A new educational series for members
YOU'RE INVITED • FIRST IN A NEW SERIES
National Service Officer Town Hall with Joseph R. Weeks Jr., National Service Officer
Thursday, October 29, 2026 • 2:00 PM Eastern Virtual Event • Featured Topic: Veteran Direct Care Watch your email and chapter communications for the meeting link.
Colonial PVA members are invited to our very first National Service Officer Town Hall — an educational session to help veterans better understand VA healthcare services and Veteran Direct Care. Hear directly from one of PVA’s National Service Officers and get answers to general questions that help the whole chapter. ABOUT OUR SPEAKER
WHO SHOULD ATTEND
Joseph R. Weeks Jr. is a PVA National Service Officer and East-North Area Manager based in Philadelphia. A retired U.S. Army First Sergeant and veteran of Bosnia, Kuwait, and Afghanistan, Joe has served PVA members since 2018, helping veterans with VA benefits and healthcare navigation.
Colonial PVA members, caregivers, and families Veterans exploring VA Direct Care options Anyone coordinating community or specialty care Members with general questions about referrals
WHAT WE'LL COVER Eligibility
VA Direct Care
Community Care
Who qualifies and how VA determines access
Care provided directly through VA facilities
When care is authorized outside VA
Specialty Care
Referrals
Coordination
Specialized services for SCI/D needs
How referrals are requested and processed
Working with VA to manage your care plan
SUBMIT YOUR QUESTIONS BY OCTOBER 8, 2026 Send general questions in advance so this Town Hall is useful for the whole membership. Questions should relate directly to Veteran Direct Care. Keep questions general so they help a broad audience of members. Personal benefit claims, appeals, or individual case questions will not be addressed on the call. If you need help with your own case, schedule a private appointment with the National Service Office.
Email JoAnn Bedsworth, Executive Director
jbedsworth@colonialpva.org Please put “NSO Town Hall Question” in the subject line.
SAVE THESE DATES
NEED HELP WITH YOUR CASE?
October 8, 2026 — Question deadline October 29, 2026 — Town Hall, 2:00 PM ET
The Town Hall is for general education only. For personal claims, appeals, or case questions, contact the PVA National Service Office in Philadelphia to schedule a private appointment.
This is the first session in a new Colonial PVA educational series. Future Town Halls will cover additional benefits and healthcare topics. Please invite a fellow member, caregiver, or family member to join you.
PVA National Service Office — Philadelphia 5000 Wissahickon Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19144 (215) 381-3057 • (800) 795-3628
Colonial Chapter PVA • 700 Barksdale Road, Suite 2, Newark, DE 19711 • (302) 861-6671 • colonialpva.org
Turn Your Used Vehicle Into Support For Paralyzed Veterans Of America We’ll use the proceeds from the sale of your car, truck, RV or boat to change lives and build brighter futures for our seriously injured heroes.
Scan the QR code to learn more.
Donating your car is easy, and your gift is tax-deductible Vehicle donations to PVA are tax-deductible! Most vehicles are sold through local used-car markets. Our vehicle donation program works to get the highest return per vehicle and handles all the paperwork, too! Whether your vehicle sells for $500 or less, more than $500, or more than $5000, you will be provided with the proper donation tax receipt(s).
Call 877-900-VETS or donate online at www.pva.org