Forward Observer
Forward Observer: Blue Water Navy Bill Is About Sunk for This Year
To add to the sorry saga of inaction by our senators, here is the latest as reported in the Stars and Stripes: ### As of 14 December 2018
News Blog
LVMAC NEWS
LVMAC Tidbit: New VA Schedule for Rating Hemic and Lymphatic Systems Meant to Ensure Consistent Decisons
Today the the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced it had updated portions, of the VA Schedule for Rating Disabilities (VASRD or Rating Schedule), effective December 9, 2018, which evaluate the hematologic and lymphatic systems.
One diagnostic code was removed, nine were added, and several were restructured. The complete list of updates to the rating schedule are now available online. (more…)
Tidbits
LVMAC Tidbit: Wilkes-Barre VA Town Hall Comes to Allentown
The Wilkes-Barre VA Medical Center will hold a Town Hall at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, December 12, at the Allentown VA Outpatient Clinic, 3110 Hamilton Boulevard, Allentown. Its purpose is to give an opportunity to veterans to meet with top Read more…
Forward Observer
Forward Observer: Having the Courage to Do the “Write” Thing for the Blue Water Navy Act
As has been reported, the Blue Water Navy’s Agent Orange bill continues to be stalled in the Senate despite years of effort to correct a poor decision made by the the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) in 2002 (a reversal of policy) and its obfuscating subsequently. This year, the House finally got the the gumption to act and unanimously passed H.R. 299, the Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act of 2018, in July to end the injustice of denying Vietnam, Korean DMZ, and Thailand veterans who suffer from life-threatening health conditions related to exposure to Agent Orange the care and benefits they deserve.
Our senators have yet to prove themselves equally concerned and courageous. (more…)
Tidbits
LVMAC Tidbit: Another Church Goes Out of Its Way to Help Veterans
This Christmas, Nazareth Life Church Ministries will be granting some Christmas wishes for local veterans, active military and their families. It will also hold a Christmas Party for them at the Blue’s event center in Bethlehem on December 20th between Read more…
Tidbits
LVMAC Tidbit: The Latest on the Veterans Suicide Issue
The following is an excerpt from the minutes of the monthly VISN-4 veterans service organizations’ conference call in November. It addresses the issue of suicides among veterans:
In September, VA released national and state-level findings from its most recent analysis of Veteran suicide data, from 2005 to 2016. The analysis is part of VA’s ongoing examination of non-Veteran and Veteran death records that is being used to evaluate and improve VA’s Suicide Prevention Program. (more…)
Tidbits
LVMAC Tidbit: Commercial Truck Drivers Are a Critical Profession Needed in the Lehigh Valley
On 20 November, LVB.com (a media product of Lehigh Valley Business) reported, “The trucking industry has a shortage of drivers, and many military veterans get out of the service and struggle to find the right job to be their second career.” The article stated Mack Trucks is donating one of its locally manufactured Anthem Trucks to the American Trucking Association to help recruit and hire veterans into the trucking industry.
The “Education and Talent Supply Report” recently released by the Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corporation suggests (more…)
Tidbits
LVMAC Tidbit: The Army Goes Green Again
Heraclitus said the only constant is change. The Army, like the Navy, continues to prove its constant is a uniform change. Therefore, on Veterans Day, the Army officially announced a replacement (“pinks and greens”) to its current service uniform (Class Read more…
LVMAC NEWS
LVMAC Tidbit: Veterans Day Chow Down Opportunities
Forget Yocco’s. Here is a big list of free meals and other freebies for Veterans Day 2018. Participating restaurants include Applebees, Olive Garden, Golden Corral and more. Bon appetit. Source: 90 Restaurants Offering Free Meals This Veterans Day ### As Read more…