Dec. 13, 2023
HARRISBURG – Rep. Joe Kerwin (R-Dauphin) announced Wednesday that he will be deploying in the coming days to East Africa with the soldiers of Task Force Paxton, 2nd Battalion-112th Infantry, 56th Stryker Brigade Combat Team.
“This task force is made up of Pennsylvania’s citizen soldiers, with many from right here in Dauphin County including my brother, Cpt. Jack Kerwin. These soldiers are professionals and have been rigorously training for the last 18 months if the international environment required us to deploy,” Kerwin stated. “We have come to find that we are needed in these uncertain times. I am honored to serve alongside these patriots. With the recent and profound security concerns in our world, the strategic importance of this deployment does not fall lightly on me.”
In addition to his full-time service to his constituents in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, Kerwin has served for 11 years in the Pennsylvania Army National Guard, currently holding the rank of captain. He earned his commission as a second lieutenant in 2015 and is a graduate of the Infantry Officer Leaders Course, Airborne School, Army Ranger School and the Maneuver Captains Career Course.
While carrying out his military duties on behalf of the Commonwealth and the nation during this deployment, Kerwin’s two district offices and Capitol office will be open daily, fully staffed and fully functional to continue to provide exceptional constituent services.
“I have a seasoned and highly motivated staff with a combined 60 years of experience of serving everyone in our community. Thanks to their hard work and dedication, residents of the 125th District can be assured there will be a complete continuity of services while I am deployed in defense of our nation,” Kerwin added. “I look forward to carrying out this mission and getting back safely to work in the district at the conclusion of this deployment. It is an absolute honor to be there when America needs me just as it is an honor to serve the 125th District.”
Kerwin said this deployment will be several months in length and his unit will operate in East Africa and the surrounding region. Kerwin will be commanding an infantry company that will be responsible for securing key American assets from terrorist threats.
“I am thankful for the outpouring of support that I and my fellow soldiers have received as we mobilize to protect America’s interests abroad,” Kerwin said. “National Guardsmen and women do not get to choose when our nation calls upon us to deploy; however, we are always training to be ready for when our country needs us. We are always prepared to temporarily leave our families and careers behind at a moment’s notice to defend the nation. My years of leadership experience and professional military schooling has prepared me to achieve our nation’s security mission with my fellow Guardsmen while leading an infantry company in a combat zone.”
On the news of the deployment, House Republican Leader Bryan Cutler (R-Lancaster) thanked Kerwin for his dedication to service and committed all necessary resources to ensuring the residents of the 125th District receive uninterrupted constituent services during his deployment.
“Joe Kerwin represents the best of Pennsylvania. His life has been dedicated to service and his commitment to this Commonwealth and the United States is inspiring. I join my colleagues in the House Republican Caucus and the Pennsylvania House of Representatives in wishing both Rep. Kerwin and his unit a safe and successful deployment,” Cutler said. “We are committed to coming together to support Rep. Kerwin and his district during this deployment. The residents of the 125th District should know we will be ensuring every resource is available to guarantee continued constituent services at each one of the current office locations.”
Rep. Joseph Kerwin
125th Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives