Forward Observer

Forward Observer: The VA Mission Act Is Enacted

LVMAC Poster Art 2005We thought it would happen on Memorial Day.  Instead, it happened on 6 June 2018 (D-Day).  The President finally signed the VA MISSION Act of 2018 upon which we have previously reported .

According to the VFW’s Action Corps Weekly of 8 June,  “ ‘The VA MISSION Act will help improve the care our veterans get at the VA while leveraging the capabilities of the private sector when needed. It will help recruit the best talent at the VA, which is what our veterans deserve, and it also extends caregiver benefits to every veteran who needs it,’ …  The VA MISSION Act was the result of a bipartisan and bicameral effort led by Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Chairman Sen. Johnny Isakson, Ranking Member Sen. Jon Tester and House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Chairman Rep. Phil Roe, M.D.” (more…)

By LVMAC, ago

Forward Observer: Thinking of Starting or Improving Your Own Business?

LVMAC Poster Art 2005There are 28 million small businesses in the United States according to the Small Business Administration, an amazing 99.7 percent of all the employers.  Small businesses employ over 56 million people in this country, about 57 percent of all the employment in the private sector.  Think about that.  They certainly are an important component to ensuring a thriving economy.  Throughout our history, small businesses have helped to secure the “American Dream.” Importantly, they rely heavily on workers for their success, not on some “robotic arm.”

In that vein of thinking, Pennsylvania is gradually getting around to the addressing the issues of generating veterans businesses in the Commonwealth. (more…)

By LVMAC, ago

Forward Observer: VA’s RAMP Is Bad News – Do Not File a Claim This Way!

LVMAC Poster Art 2005On 29 January 2018, the Ms. Kelsey Yoon, the national director for the Veterans Benefits Program (VBP) of the Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA), wrote the state councils of her organization to provide general guidance on the Rapid Appeals Modernization Program (RAMP) put in place by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) as one of the means to produce faster turnaround times for compensation claims, thereby reducing the backlog continuing to plague the VA.  The letter was disturbing, and we believe it important to spread word of its contents to a wider audience, since it may affect you or one of your loved ones.  The following is an extracted from her letter: (more…)

By LVMAC, ago

Forward Observer — Victory House Seeks Community Foundation Grant Also

LVMAC Poster Art 2005You may find this strange at a time when we are also seeking a Lehigh Valley Community Foundation Grant,  but we wish you to know that Victory House does exceptionally fine service for our veterans who need extra help in getting back on track.  They are a valued partner in our homelessness initiative.

Indeed, except for CACLV, all the finalists for a Lehigh Valley Community Foundation grant are member organizations in LVMAC.  We support or form efforts addressing a range of needs that define a supportive community.  Our membership reflects the gamut of our interests.  Therefore, we do not like the appearance of competing with our member partners, for this is not our intent.  For us, at this time, it is more about promoting a good effort on the part of  the Lehigh Valley Community Foundation to become engaged in assisting our military and veterans community.  Accordingly, we openly publish this request from Victory House: (more…)

By LVMAC, ago

Forward Observer — Resolving the Suicide Issue: The Obvious Brings Its Own Complications

Veterans At Risk Of Suicide Negotiate A Thorny Relationship With Guns, NPR Reports

LVMAC Poster Art 2005Two key points are raised in the article which follows that affect the results, and work against what would seem to be common sense:

1) There is a question as to if the VA is really following a due or, at least, a fair process.  We know of a veteran who was not properly informed of the proceedings against him.  In addition, the VA, according to this article, is probably violating his/her Second Amendment rights, while trying to do the right thing.

2) Fear of being branded as mentally incompetent, may cause affected veterans not to access the benefits they’ve earned, including access to health care for conditions related to their military service.  When a veteran is most fragile, he/she may be effectively driven away.  Why is the term “mental incompetence” used in all instances in the first place? (more…)

By LVMAC, ago