LVMAC Tidbit — For Memorial Day Pole Watchers

flagdayanimation5This is for those who keep their heads up.  We are writing about U.S. flag etiquette on Memorial Day and also, the Commonwealth’s — having taken note of the Whitehall Township’s unintentional breach of flag decorum.   We should be proud of how many Americans display their flag — something probably unique to our nation.  Nevertheless, as proud as we are to be Americans, frequently forget proper flag etiquette.

On Monday, 25 May, it goes as follows: (more…)

Forward Observer — The Spending of Your Veterans Trust Fund Donations

LVMAC Poster Art 2005In 2012 the Veterans Trust Fund was established in Pennsylvania.  We thought you might want to know how it is being used this year.

In 2015, fifty-five organizations applied for grants, the sum of which would have amounted to nearly $4.7 million in funding for veterans’ services and programs. Of these, ten grants were subsequently awarded.  Since all were competing for $350,000 in grant money, there is an implication: there are needs state government is failing to recognize through the usual means. (more…)

LVMAC News — Last Call — for Our Annual Salute Your Troops Dinner!

LVMAC Salute to the Troops Dinner Flyer 22May2015LVMAC Logo (Best Small PNG)The Lehigh Valley Military Affairs Council  is conducting its “Salute to the Troops” this year on 22 May, starting at 6 p.m., again at the Days Hotel (The Jetport), 3400 Airport Road in Allentown.  Please come, but immediately make your reservation.  Don’t worry if you a few days beyond the suspense date on the form, though tables are filling quickly and we do need to get the order in to the caterer as soon as possible.
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Forward Observer — Put the Bastards in Jail

LVMAC Poster Art 2005We have written before concerning the presence of scamming when it comes to veterans.  You would think us targeted prey because it is an ongoing and widespread problem nationally.  Pennsylvania’s Office of Attorney General, specifically its relatively new Office of Military and Veterans Affairs, has become more involved of late — an indication that the problem is particularly acute in the commonwealth.

PWVC Wanted Poster May2015Now we hear that some firms and persons in Pennsylvania, veterans among them, are charging for filing a VA compensation or pension claim for a veteran or a survivor.  (more…)

LVMAC Tidbit — Small Business Administration Ups Its Game Locally

SBA LogoThe Eastern Pennsylvania (aka Philadelphia) District of the Small Business Administration seems to be improving its veterans outreach into the Lehigh Valley and nearby these days.  Late last year they did something with CACLV, an odd acquaintance.  Hopefully, we will continue to see more of the types of efforts shown below.   It has been said 40 percent of all military servicemembers upon discharge wish to start their own businesses (or work for themselves).  The statistic is questionable, but there are certainly enough veterans in this third largest metropolitan statistical area of the commonwealth with the aptitude, perseverance and seriousness required to start their own business, if they only knew how.  (more…)

LVMAC News — LVMAC Healthcare Alliance Seeks Executive Assistant

HOC Official Logo 2013Job Announcement

The Lehigh Valley Military Affairs Council (LVMAC) is seeking a part-time Executive Assistant for the Veterans Affairs Committee’s Healthcare in Our Community Task Force, an alliance of all the healthcare networks in our community aimed at improving the delivery of services to our military veterans.  The complexity of the project has now risen to the level that demands on the time of participants is such that dedicated, dependable administrative assistance manpower is needed to assistance. If interested, apply immediately!
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Forward Observer — The VA Fixes the Veterans Choice Card’s “How the Crow Flies” Issue

LVMAC Poster Art 2005Few doubt that Congress had a point in wanting the Veterans Choice Card provision in the Veterans Access, Choice and Accountability Act of 2014 (VACAA) — excessive delays in service merited this temporary measure — but it seems also to have  rushed the Department of Veterans Affairs, whether unfairly or not.  In its haste to respond to short deadlines, the VA has made some poor regulatory decisions along the way. (more…)