LVMAC Tidbit: New Procedures at VA Cemeteries Due to Cornavirus

It was to be expected, but now it is official:

As of 20 March, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs’ National Cemetery Administration (NCA) will only conduct committal services for groups of 10 or fewer people.

But as of 23 March, committal services (including honors) will not be conducted until further notice.  Both of these announcements, especially the latter, will affect the rendering of military honors.  They are discontinued until further notice — including those conducted by The American Legion, VFW, etc.   The same is occurring de facto at private graveside services, and funeral homes are limiting presences at their facilities, as you might have read. (more…)

LVMAC Tidbit: Suffering from Military Sexual Trauma?

Lehigh Valley Health Network Wishes to Help

The Veteran Health Program of Lehigh Valley Hospital Network (LVHN) has been conducting focus groups with women veterans and service members who experienced military sexual trauma (MST). The intent of these focus groups is to learn how MST has affected their healthcare.

On 10 February beginning at 5:30 p.m., the final focus group will be held at Moravian College’s Reeves Library on the main campus.

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LVMAC Tidbit: Op Homefront Changes Lives

One of the more worthwhile national, military support organizations to have arrived on the scene since the second Gulf War is Operation Homefront.  It focuses on those still serving and also those just discharging.  While it cannot replace the value of certain, long-established, chartered veterans service organizations and their grassroots support activities (one would be ignorant to think so), it is definitely a value-for-the money organization which attempts to address some of the more pressing concerns of military families in often imaginative ways. (more…)