(WHTM) — A new memorial on the Pennsylvania Capitol grounds honoring Gold Star families will soon be a reality thanks to a state lawmaker who himself just returned from active duty.
Rep. Joe Kerwin (R-Dauphin) introduced the bill to create a memorial for Gold Star families, who are the ones left behind when a service member dies.
The monument will be comprised of four granite slabs placed east of the Irvis Office Building and north of Walnut Street at no cost to taxpayers. Governor Josh Shapiro signed the bill into law on Wednesday after it received bipartisan support.
“It is important these grieving families have a place to gather, reflect, pray, and share in fellowship with one another. The memorial would be a permanent fixture honoring the sacrifices of not only our fallen men and women in uniform, but also their loved ones,” Kerwin said.
Suzanne Sheaffer appreciates Rep. Kerwin's commitment and wishes she was not in the fraternity that will benefit. Her son, Billy, died while serving in 2013.
"A monument such as this is going to cause (people) to remember," said Sheaffer.
Kerwin recently returned from a deployment to East Africa with the Pennsylvania Army National Guard’s Task Force Paxton, 2nd Battalion, 112th Infantry. For 10 months he was gone, but not forgotten. Shapiro mentioned him in his budget address, calling Kerwin "the very best of us."
Last month, Kerwin and the 131 soldiers under his command returned home safely from Africa. Upon returning Kerwin received a house citation and, rare these days, bipartisan praise for his service.
"You have our overwhelming gratitude and our thanks Joe, and I'd like to say, welcome home," said Minority Bryan Cutler (R-Lancaster).
"Representative Kerwin represents the best among us," added Majority Leader Matt Bradford (D-Montgomery). "We are so glad he's safely back. He's a good man a good legislator, and a good friend to many of us."
Kerwin is not one to pat himself on the back, as he prioritizes his service to the country and the Commonwealth rather than service to himself.
"America's been really good to my family and I," said Kerwin. "It's me a lot of opportunities, it's given me the opportunity to serve in the Pennsylvania state legislature, and I think this is a way to pay that back.
