State Rep. Sappey recognizes veterans during annual breakfast
Rep. Christina Sappey November 12, 2021
KENNETT SQUARE, Nov. 12 – State Rep. Christina Sappey honored approximately 50 veterans who live in her legislative district and their family members during her annual veterans’ breakfast at the Unionville Presbyterian Church.
Sappey thanked the group for their service and honored the attending veterans with citations from the Pennsylvania House of Representatives.
“Our veterans have sacrificed so much to protect our freedoms and privileges,” Sappey said. “It is an honor to recognize their bravery, courage and dedication to our nation.”
Friday’s event offered a free, hot breakfast supplied by a local catering company, Catering by Occasion, and provided information on services and assistance available to veterans in Pennsylvania.
The event also featured guest speaker Capt. Ralph Galati (retired), who served in the United States Air Force from 1970-1981. On Feb. 16, 1972, he and his pilot were shot down over North Vietnam and he spent the next 14 months as a prisoner of war. Galati served as the Veterans Liaison for Delaware County from 2011-2013. He was also the founder and former director of the Office of Veterans Services at St. Joseph’s University -- his alma mater.
Boy Scout Troop 22 of Unionville provided the Honor Guard, Rev. Annalie Korengel of Unionville Presbyterian gave the invocation and William E. Johnson recited the National Anthem.
Sappey is a member of the House Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee. This legislative session she has introduced legislation that would extend full property tax exemption status to veterans who are determined to be 100% disabled by the U.S. Veterans Administration due to an injury or disease that is related to their service. Currently the exemption applies only to 100% disabled veterans who served during war or armed conflict.