Many of you have concerns about the continuation
of the government shutdown engineered by our Congress.
Since we are largely a veterans population in the Lehigh Valley, we thought it would be useful for you to know the facts on how you are affected. Tap on the images on the right for the details the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is putting out. (more…)
At 1 p.m. on 10 November at the Catasauqua American Legion Building, the Belleau Woods Chapter of the Leathernecks Nation Motorcycle Club is hosting a very special U.S. Marine Corps Birthday celebration. (more…)
Ritter Elementary School at 740 N Plymouth St, Allentown, PA 18109, is again having its annual, fifth grade student’s veterans’ interview day (to be later followed by a veterans day celebration). The interviews are 
projected to be conducted on October 8th. This is one of the oldest school events involving veterans in the Lehigh Valley and has a sterling reputation among veterans from our community who have participated. It is a tradition carried on by the teachers themselves in remembrance of our veterans and their contributions to our nation and community. If you are interested please contact Rick Grab at 484-765-5661 or grabr@allentownsd.org. (more…)
On 20 June 2013 at Northampton Community College (NCC) in Bethlehem, the Lehigh Valley Military Affairs Council (LVMAC) hosted the second annual Executive Steering Committee Conference on the subject of local military veteran healthcare. All the hospital networks in the Lehigh Valley were represented, including the Wilkes-Barre VA Medical Center, the local supporting Veterans Health Administration (VHA) network. (more…)
In an August 14, 2013 News Release, TRICARE announced that its TRICARE For Life (TFL) beneficiaries may incur higher costs for treatment when using a VA healthcare facility effective October 1 – if the condition for which they are being treated is not related to their service-connected disability.
It states that after October 1, 2013, “as part of the intake process at VA facilities … TFL beneficiaries will be asked if they’re using their VA or TFL benefit or if they have other health insurance (OHI). When electing to use their TFL benefit at the VA, they will also be informed they must pay the remained bill after TRICARE pays its portion of the TRICARE-allowable charge. They may be asked to sign a form indicating they understand their responsibility.” (more…)
Wilkes-Barre VA Offers Evening and Weekend Appointments in Primary and Mental Health Care
We have been informed the Wilkes-Barre VA Medical Center recently announced that it and one of its satellite facilities, the Allentown Outpatient Clinic, are offering extended appointment hours to better serve their veterans. This has been confirmed. (more…)
The Lehigh Valley Military Affairs Council conducted its Scholarship awards for 2013 at the Council’s 21 August meeting and awarded twelve $1,000 scholarships. Phil Hublitz and Bob Rothenberger, Co-Chairs for our Scholarship Program, led us into uncharted waters this year. (more…)
The cornerstone of a good community is its awareness and engagement in civic life. When it comes upon war, things can sometimes be done outside of government and political processes which can meaningfully 
assist our military, our veterans and their families. One way is to do fundraising but also to ensure the money goes to organizations that actually help military servicemembers from and military veterans in the communities in which they live. (more…)
From 20 August through 20 September, the Sigal Museum at 342 Northampton Street, Easton will host showings of the 911 Memorial Flag, beginning with a flag raising ceremony at 2.30 p.m. on 20 August.
On display will be a 22’ x 32’ flag using nearly 3,000 American flags representing each victim who died as a result of the World Trade Towers, Pentagon and Flight #93 terrorist attacks. (more…)
Raymour & Flanigan and Jewish War Veterans of the USA (JWV), the oldest, existing veterans group in the United States, have joined together in an effort to raise monies for the wounded veterans who have returned from the Post 9/11 wars. All veteran organizations and returning wounded are invited to participate in this effort in a display of unity. (more…)