News Blog
Forward Observer
Forward Observer: Will the Senate Have the Courage to Rise Above the Intransigence of the VA on the Blue Water Navy Issue?
The behavior of the Senate on the issue of the Blue Water Navy’s exposure to Agent Orange during the Vietnam Conflict has been less than noble — nor has it done its job. Over the decades, it has conveniently allowed the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to lead it by the nose and to provide an excuse for inaction. (more…)
LVMAC NEWS
LVMAC News: Social Recreational Confederation Speaks to Council
On 18 July 2018, Tom O’Rourke of Team RWB, the chairman for the Social Recreational Confederation — LVMAC’s newest coalition — spoke to update the Council on its progress of the program and to explain how the membership can assist it.
Tidbits
LVMAC Tidbit: Department of Defense Toys with “Forever” GI Bill Dependent Benefits
Pentagon Announces Changes to Post-9/11 GI Bill
Washington D.C., 12 July 2018: The Department of Defense issued a substantive change today to department policy on the transfer by service members in the Uniformed Services of“Post-9/11 GI Bill” educational benefits to eligible … (more…)
Tidbits
LVMAC Tidbit: Getting It Wrong on VA Healthcare — How Our Media Fails Us
[Editor’s Note: One of the more thorough, balanced and probative articles about the failure of the our national and local media regarding their reporting and conclusions on the state of VA healthcare in quite a while. Also provides some insights Read more…
Tidbits
LVMAC Tidbit: DoD Erroneously Taxed Those It Medically Separated
The statement below is from the VFW’s 13 July Action Corps Weekly. In the event this situation may applies to you, ensure you read the provided links for advice on how to proceed. It is not widely known a special law, which went into effect in 2017, was passed to help remedy the situation. However, it has taken the Defense Department until now to determine which veterans were affected and how much they overpaid. (more…)
Forward Observer
Forward Observer: A Reading of the Declaration of Independence Comes to Allentown and Easton
Annually, Zion UCC (see flyer) annually reads the Declaration of Independence at a Sunday Service. It serves as a reminder of how special a nation we are, and how blessed we are to have our liberties and freedoms — though we often take them for granted in our our workaday lives. Easton also does this on July 8, the day in 1776 the Declaration was first read in this area. At the time, Easton was the seat of county government for what are now Lehigh and Northampton counties. Both events are worth the trip, for they cause us to think on how the Declaration of Independence came about.Tidbits
LVMAC Tidbit: Desert Storm Memorial “Sited”
The decision ends a three-year debate over the best location to honor troops who served in that conflict. Source: Desert Storm memorial to be built on National Mall near Vietnam Wall
Forward Observer
Forward Observer: Blue Water Navy Act Edges One Step Closer
H.R. 299, The Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act of 2017 [2018], introduced by Rep. David Valadao (R-CA) edged one step closer to passage on 25 June with a 382-0 House vote. If enacted, the Act would restore eligibility for VA healthcare and disability compensation for (more…)
Tidbits
LVMAC Tidbit: MOPH Truck Run Comes to Macungie
The Ford Motor Company in conjunction with the Military Order of the Purple Heart (MOPH), is giving away three trucks to amputee Purple Heart Veterans. This good deed of caring for those who have borne the battle in their civilian life generally receives little attention in our area.