Reps. Merle Phillips, Russ Fairchild and Robert Belfanti were honored June 29 by the Department of Pennsylvania of the Marine Corps League for their years of service in helping the veterans community. All three are combat veterans and are retiring from the Pennsylvania General Assembly on Nov. 30.

Receiving the Distinguished Citizens Award were Reps. Merle Phillips (R-Northumberland/Snyder), Russ Fairchild (R-Snyder/Union), and Robert Belfanti (D-Columbia/Montour/Northumberland), who were specifically cited for their meritorious service in the interests of the United States of America, the United States Marine Corps, the Marine Corps League and for their many years of dedicated service to the veterans of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. 

“I am very honored and humbled to receive this award from such a dedicated organization as the Marine Corps League,” said Phillips, a Marine who served during the Korean War. “As the only veteran from the Korean War serving in the House, I have always considered it among my foremost duties to represent the interests of our veterans, not only in our area but statewide. Pennsylvania has the fifth highest population of veterans in the nation so it is imperative that we take care of the men and women who made so many sacrifices for our freedoms.” 

Fairchild, a combat Vietnam veteran who served in the U.S. Army, works closely with the Marine Corps League as the Republican chairman of the House Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee. “It has been my honor to work with this fine organization and to help assist veterans, from all wars and branches of the military, receive the benefits they have rightfully earned and to ensure the Commonwealth’s laws and programs protect these valiant heroes. I commend the League on its many years of dedication to our veterans and thank its membership for this recognition today.” 

Belfanti, also a Marine, served in Vietnam from 1967 to 1971. “The men and women who protect and defend us by serving in our Armed Forces deserve our support when they return home from service,” said Belfanti, a past commandant of the Marine Corps League. “The Marine Corps League has been instrumental in ensuring that our veterans receive the benefits, services and care they need, and I am proud to work with the League to serve our veterans, and to receive this recognition from such a great organization.” 

Presenting the legislators with their awards were Paul F. Hastings, chairman of the State Veterans Commission; Tom Minchin, the National Boy Scout Committee chairman of the Marine Corps League; Vince “Hank” Fiola, Central District aide-de-camp for the Marine Corps League; and Bill Schweigler, also of the Marine Corps League. 

Also receiving the honor was Rep. Anthony Melio (D-Bucks), Democrat chairman of the House Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee. 

In turn, the lawmakers presented the League a copy of House Resolution 859, which honored the 67th anniversary of the Department of Pennsylvania of the Marine Corps League. 

Rep. Merle Phillips
108th District
(570) 286-5885
Rep. Russ Fairchild
85th District
(570) 524-2788
Rep. Robert Belfanti
107th District
(570) 339-5252
Contact:  Jennifer Algoe Keaton (717) 705-2094
or Michael Herzing (717) 787-7895