Since we have been asked, the President’s signing of the 2013 National Defense Act last November authorized veterans to receive a Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) increase of 1.7% in their compensation and pension payments. The same applied to survivors enrolled in either a pension or dependency and indemnity compensation program, and also to Social Security recipients and military retirees (except 2012 retirees and REDUX retirees). (more…)
We frequently get calls about Veterans discount programs. On Veterans Day, in particular, businesses often discount goods, services and dining at their establishments as a token of appreciation for our our veterans and servicemembers, as well as their families. One of the more complete and maintained sources is found at Military.com. Click here for Veterans Day offerings.
By the way, Pennsylvania’s Governor on 24 October signed into law House Bill 2428 as Act 176 of 2012. Its importance? (more…)
What: Veterans Day Event Celebration
Where: Veterans Sanctuary, 24 South Fifth Street, Allentown PA
When: Saturday, November 10, 1-3 p.m.
Join the Lehigh Valley Military Affairs Council (LVMAC), Treatment Trends and Warrior Songs as we celebrate military veterans on Saturday, November 10, from 1-3 p.m. at the Veterans Sanctuary in Allentown. (more…)
You are invited to join the Band of Brothers, Northampton Community College’s (NCC) veterans organization, for the dedication of the recently completed Veterans Plaza in the Susan K. Kubik Tribute Garden at 11:30 a.m. on 1 November 2012. The Tribute Garden is between Penn and Commonwealth Halls on the NCC Main Campus at 3835 Green Pond Road in Bethlehem. A free luncheon hosted by the NCC Alumni Association will follow the dedication. (more…)
If you are a veteran, help us by taking a simple, ten question survey on your use of the Veterans Health Care system. Click here to take the survey now. ### As of 22 September 2012
26 September 2012: Mr. Rick Baldwin, Community Engagement Leader, Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, on “Gaining an Understanding of Thrivent’s Veterans Benevolent Program.”
17 October 2012: Ms. Kristy Gehman (Dir. of Core and Housing Services) and Mr. Eladio Gonzalez (Community Support Coordinator) of LVCIL will speak on “Lehigh Valley Center for Independent Living and Its Supportive Services for Veteran Families Program”
21 November 2012: Mr. Robert Kendrick, the new Director of the Philadelphia VA Regional Office (VBA), will give a VBA update.
19 December 2012: Ms. Aruna Bhatia, MD, Chief of Mental Health and Behavioral Service, Wilkes-Barre VA Medical Center will speak on “Mental Health Services in the VA.” (more…)
Register for the Latest Lehigh Valley PHWFFI Event Trout Unlimited Hokendauqua and its partner, LVMAC, are again sponsoring a Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing Outing. It is scheduled for October 7th 2012 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.at Bob Saks’ Pond (a private pond). Donuts and coffee, full picnic lunch Read more…
TRICARE Management Recommends Quarterly or Monthly Payments Due to Possible Changes
In a 23 July media release, TRICARE announced the Fiscal Year 2013 TRICARE Prime enrollment fee increases for uniformed service retirees and their families will go into effect 1 October 2012.
For all retirees, the annual enrollment fees for 2013 will be:
– $269.28 for retirees
– $538.56 for retirees and their family members (more…)
Lehigh Valley’s Health Care Executives Met July 19 Regarding Military/Veteran Health Care
On July 19, 2012, after six months of collaboration with representatives from all the major health care providers in the Lehigh Valley, the Lehigh Valley Military Affairs Council (LVMAC) hosted a luncheon meeting at Northampton Community College to present a “Health Care in Our Community” project status report. The following chief executive officers of the Lehigh Valley’s hospitals attended this historic gathering: (more…)