|
New
Motorcycle License Plate Honoring Veterans Unveiled
HARRISBURG -- State
Senator Bob Robbins (R-50) joined veterans, motorcyclists, state officials and
other legislators today to unveil the first Pennsylvania motorcycle license
plate for military veterans.
Robbins sponsored the
legislation creating the plate and worked with legislative colleagues and
Charlie Umbenhauer of the Alliance of Bikers Aimed Toward Education (ABATE) to
pass the measure in February.
“Several years ago, I was made
aware that Pennsylvania had eleven special veterans license plates for
automobiles, but not one for motorcycles. I agreed with Charlie Umbenhauer and
members of ABATE that veterans who ride motorcycles should be able to display
their past service to our country, just as they do with their automobile
plates,” said Robbins, speaking at the unveiling at Soldier’s Grove outside the
Capitol.
Also on hand were Senate
Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee Chairman Don White (R-41),
PENNDOT Deputy Secretary Betty Serian and Brigadier General Cecil Hengeveld,
Deputy Adjutant General for Veterans Affairs in the Department of Military and
Veterans Affairs.
“I am proud to be a part of
this ceremony benefiting the veterans community as we unveil this new plate. I
am pleased that we have been able to work with PENNDOT to have input into the
design of the plates,” said Robbins, a Vietnam War veteran. “My thanks also go
to ABATE for their advocacy on behalf of veterans, and most importantly to
veterans for their service to this great country.”
The plate will have the word
“VETERAN” listed at the bottom and the letter “V” in the number sequence on the
plate.
Attending the ceremony was
Wayne Stratos, of Mercer County, who will receive the first veterans motorcycle
license plate. A six-year Army veteran, Stratos served in Vietnam from
1969-1971. “Wayne founded the Mercer County Vietnam Era Veterans Association
and has been actively involved in POW issues. It is my pleasure to recognize a
deserving veteran like Wayne with the first plate” said Robbins.
To be eligible for this plate,
an individual must be an honorably discharged veteran of the armed forces of the
United States, or a reserve component of the armed forces.
Applications for the license
plates are now available through legislators’ offices or via PENNDOT’s home page
at www.dot.state.pa.us. The plates cost $20.00 each and will be issued
beginning in August.
# # #
|
