Our Team Leader, Robin Carmody, is now recruiting readers for the coming school year. It is a simple mission. The word on the street is that this program has been well received as a pilot project. Now we are trying to expand this program, starting with the Bethlehem School District. The kids are are truly interested and appreciative, as are the teachers. See flyer below for details. (more…)
Among the wounds of war are those brought home by the troops of the Vietnam War is one that has received scant attention over the years – genetic injuries to their progeny. And now, it seems, genetic injuries are being passed on to their grandchildren and great grandchildren. (more…)
As previously announced at our Council Meetings, Rolling Thunder’s PA Chapter 8 (a member organization) has taken charge of our Visitation Program. They have been tasked to increase the number of organizations participating and, as importantly, the number of long-term care facilities in the Lehigh Valley visited. Already this spirited organization is well on its way. (more…)
We’re being required to move to make way for a new parking deck, as Allentown responds to the revitalization of city center. Not a bad thing all told though we liked our old digs at 39 S. Sixth St. for its parking convenience. We’re moving to 640 Hamilton Street, Suite Read more…
For the first time, the Pennsylvania Veterans Foundation (PVF) “… is seeking to assist approximately ten Pennsylvania nonprofit organizations that help military veteran with grants ranging from $5,000 to $10,000. Specifically, the PVF is asking County Directors of Veterans Affairs and other community leaders to identify noteworthy organizations that are doing tremendous work yet need some extra resources to expand their effectiveness and reach,” states Mike Gould, the foundation’s Chairman of the Board. (more…)
Congress has mandated the Department of Defense to commemorate the fiftieth anniversary of the Vietnam War during the years 2015 to 2017 (Public Law 110-181 SEC.598). It is seeking organizations to formally partner and “… commit to conduct at least two events each year during the commemorative period of 2015 – 2017 that will recognize, thank and honor our Vietnam Veterans and their families.” But there is a less official way to commemorate which is of equal value and a local township is about to prove this. (more…)
Persistence pays. VALOR Clinic Foundation, a member of the Lehigh Valley Homeless Veterans Action Committee (an LVMAC alliance) is conducting another one of its mini-stand downs in the Lehigh Valley. This time it will be on 16 August at Sand Island in the City of Bethlehem. It is its second attempt to reach out to the homeless in the Bethlehem area and its fifth stand down in the Lehigh Valley this year — the three other ones were conducted in the Allentown area. As related in a previous article, this nonprofit will serve any homeless person, not just veterans … but getting to our homeless veterans is its first priority. If you know of one, contact Bob Rapp (see flyer below). Transportation can be arranged. (more…)
Effective 1 July 2015, a little mentioned section of the Veterans Access, Choice, And Accountability Act of 2014 signed into law by the President on 7 August will have huge consequences to Pennsylvania’s public institutions of higher learning. It may well affect the well-being of about 25,000 veterans who are students and up to $300 million in state revenues from the federal government to Pennsylvania’s institutions of higher learning.
Section 702 of that law states:
… the Secretary shall disapprove a course of education provided by a public institution of higher learning (more…)
If needed, click on image to expand for reading. ### As of 5 August 2014
As most already know, Veterans Sanctuary unfortunately is no more. It ceased to be after a troubled ten months of operation last year. The building, which was the physical shell for a sophisticated therapeutic approach to treating our returning war veterans, both men and women, when they suffered from chronic addiction to drugs or alcohol and profound war-induced trauma, figuratively collapsed for lack of local county, state and federal government support – only the City of Allentown had assisted.
But a light still shines. (more…)