On 5 May 2016, the Pennsylvania War Veterans Council (PWVC), an important association of the major veterans service organizations in the commonwealth, agreed to its legislative goals for 2016-2017. They should not be overlooked by our Governor and General Assembly, as they are germane to improving the care of our veterans, including those of the most recent generations: (more…)
The subject of the effect of hazardous, toxic exposures of military veterans has milled around in the houses of Congress for far too many years. Involved is our our obligation to our veterans to find the root causes of birth defects, learning disabilities, and cancers afflicting too many of their children and grandchildren. Therefore, “mill around mill” is not a Congressional virtue on such a topic.
Unfortunately, for years certain public officials have insisted and held sway on the issue without sufficient research to back their claim. Their claim seems to revolve around the assertion that male veterans exposed to Agent Orange can not transmit genetic defects to their children. While the VA has made provision for the children of Vietnam War Vietnam women veterans for certain diagnoses (without acknowledging the effects of Agent Orange, we might add), it has made absolutely none for the children of its male veterans. In our opinion that is an awkwardly strange position and a discriminatory one. (more…)
On 1 June 2016 the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced Secretary of Veterans Affairs Robert McDonald had granted “equitable relief to more than 24,000 Veterans following a national review of Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) medical examinations conducted in connection with disability compensation claims processed between 2007 and 2015 … Equitable relief is a unique legal remedy that allows the Secretary to correct an injustice to a claimant where VA is not otherwise authorized to do so within the scope of the law.” (more…)
Application deadline for Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program extended until Dec. 31 Pennsylvania’s state government never seems to set the correct deadline for this program. However, this failure of government happens to be to your advantage. The Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program Read more…
It is estimated forty-five percent of those in the armed forces are from rural areas. Surprisingly, considering its its wealth of industry and size of population, Pennsylvania has large rural tracts. About 89.5% of its area and 21.3% of its population is rural. Even in the Lehigh Valley, the third largest metropolitan area of commonwealth, there are sizeable, rural areas. These fall within the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s sphere of responsibility, and that is useful to know. (more…)
We normally do not take note of or report on ceremonies outside the Lehigh Valley. There are others who are more qualified to do so. However, as one of our member organizations, the Borinqueneers 65th Motorcycle Club, Pennsylvania Chapter, was actively involved in securing the Congressional Gold Medal for the 65th Infantry Regiment — a labor requiring both persistence and devotion to doing the right thing — we thought you might like to know of an upcoming Philadelphia event. (more…)
In this blog site, we often write of entitlements and benefits veterans can receive. However, as a population category, veterans contribute far more through their labors than they take from their communities. Indeed, many veterans have the wisdom to understand the benefits of giving of themselves to improve their communities and those of others.
Below is one fine example of local, Lehigh Valley veterans trying to do far-reaching good — in this case, for the poor — while attending to the spiritual/psychic well-being of fellow veterans. As it happens, an effort such as this also shows the world the better side of the American people and our way of life. Therefore, they gain for us in another way. Thought you might be interested and, perhaps, in helping them. (more…)
Our Lehigh County Veterans Affairs Office compiled this listing of Memorial Day events within the Lehigh Valley and Upper Bucks area, based on organizational submissions. It is current as of 12 May:
[Editor’s Note: Also see our Special Events page for additional information or other events not listed here.] (more…)
Are you aware that as part of the 50th Anniversary Commemoration Program, living veterans who served on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces at any time during the period of November 1, 1955 to May 15, 1975, regardless of the location at which they served, are eligible to receive a lapel pin? The Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA) wants you to know.
The hitch is these lapel pins must be presented during public events held in their communities by Commemorative Partners (those organizations which signed up to conduct at least two commemorative events a year till 2018. In the rare instance when an honoree cannot attend a public event, the pin may be presented during a private ceremony. (more…)
The Lehigh County Veterans Affairs Office is seeking donations of interment (casket) flags to be flown on the Avenue of Flags at the entrance to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs’ Indiantown Gap National Cemetery located in the vicinity of Annville. The donations of these flags has dwindled over the years and the continuous need has not been well known. (more…)