News Blog

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

LVMAC Tidibit: A Different Kind of Memorial Day Event

The Pennsylvania Music Preservation Society is conducting its first-ever “The Great Pennsylvania Music and Arts Celebration” at the Allentown Fairgrounds between 26 and 28 May.  Admission is free.  The part of interest to us revolves around the military and veteran recognition events and displays — and especially the ones involving the remembrance of those who gave their lives for us and, as part of that remembrance, for all our citizens to rededicate themselves to caring “… for him who shall have borne the battle and for his widow, and his orphan, to do all which may achieve and cherish a just and lasting peace among ourselves and with all nations” to ensure those lives have not been wasted.  Originating out of the devastation of the Civil War experience, this is the purpose of Memorial Day — not the pomp and circumstance, the glitz and glam that often comes with it.

Towards that end, we have extracted from their program of events and listed below those parts dealing exclusively with our Council’s area of interest and, in particular, some of Monday’s events (click on the images to enlarge them). (more…)

By LVMAC, ago

LVMAC Tidbit: Another Step Forward in Telehealth

VA LogoOn 11 May, the VA announced it is expanding telehealth, or virtual technology, by allowing healthcare provider, whether or not located within a VA facility, to treat its patients across state lines and outside a VA facility.

The result is the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has taken another step forward in telehealth services, of which private healthcare should take note.  This is especially important to do in an era of nationwide shortages in the medical professions. It also makes the VA’s home-based healthcare program better, let alone pushing its concept of “aging in place” further along.  (more…)

By LVMAC, ago

LVMAC Tidbit: WWI History Symposium Second Round

[Editor’s Note: Considering this is the land of the “Bloody Buckets” and Bethlehem Steel was the largest shipbuilder of the time and armored the the modern Navy,  it is surprising how little interest our state or its government have shown in the 100th anniversary of a war which dramatically changed us once again.  This war completed our ascendance as world power in both the business and military senses of the word.  We Americans tend to think that what is, always was, because we rarely put our ear to the rail of history.  It is not so.  And history is useful towards the learning of what works and does not work, if this special nation is to avoid arrogance.  If  you know a high school history teacher or a history or sociology professor, you might want to mention this symposium to them.  ]

STILL NOT TOO LATE TO SIGN UP

World War 1 History Symposium – Saturday, 12 May 2018 at the United States Army Heritage and Education Center, Carlisle, PA, 10:00 am to 4:30 pm

Please forward to any associates who might be interested!

WWI 100Yrs LogoObserving the 100th Anniversary of the First World War (1914-1918), four presentations examine a world calamity that fundamentally changed America. Sponsored by the Pennsylvania World War One Centennial Committee.  Join Us for an Engaging Full-Day Program on The History of the First World War.  This all-volunteer effort is free, but you must register.  See the event flyer for registration details. (more…)

By LVMAC, ago