News Blog

LVMAC Tidbit — The Little Known Veterans Employment Center™ (VEC)

VA VEC LogoLast Veterans Day 2015, the Department of Veterans Affairs launched with little fanfare a new website, www.vets.gov, though it is still under development and not anticipated to be finally complete for a year.  It is part of the ostensibly transformative MyVA initiative and is being done in response to the federal government’s acknowledgment that there is are far too many “helpful” websites, call centers and 1-800 numbers out there.  The end result is “the VA customer experience is fragmented, frustrating and confusing.”  The VA is attempting to develop a simplified website “which provides useful information that’s clearly written and presented and tools that are easy to find and use” in all one place.  This is no easy task.

One of its better efforts on this website seems to be the  The Veterans Employment Center™ (VEC).  Its intention is to connect veterans and their families with meaningful employment and career-development opportunities. (more…)

By LVMAC, ago

LVMAC Tidibit — Embassy Seeks Korean War veterans to Honor with the Ambassador for Peace Medal

Korean Ambassador for Peace MedalIf you served in Korean War, you may be eligible for the Korean Ambassador for Peace Medal. This commemorative medal is an expression of appreciation by the Republic of South Korea to  service members in the Korean War.  It has been sixty years since the signing of the Armistice. Originally, one had to travel to South Korea through the Revisit Program to collect this special special memento.  That is no longer the case. (more…)

By LVMAC, ago

LVMAC Tidbit — VA Adds Telephone Enrollment for Healthcare

VA LogoVeterans may now apply to enroll in the VA’s healthcare system by picking up the phone and dialing 1-877-222-8387 (VETS) between Monday and Friday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. EST.

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced today it has eliminated paper signature requirements for military veterans wishing to enroll in VA healthcare.  That door was opened through an amendment to its regulations. (more…)

By LVMAC, ago

LVMAC Tidbit — Veterans Health Administration to Hold Town Hall in Bethlehem Area

VA LogoFor the first time in the Bethlehem area, the Wilkes-Barre VA Medical Center will be conducting a Community Town Hall — one of many such meetings the Veterans Health Administration is hosting nationwide on a quarterly basis. The event will be held on 29 June starting at 5 p.m. on Northampton Community College’s north main campus in the Gates Center’s Alumni Hall (Room 130) just off 3835 Green Pond Road, Bethlehem. (more…)

By LVMAC, ago

LVMAC Tidbit — Commonwealth’s Major Veterans Organizations Unite on Legislative Goals for 2016

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…)

By LVMAC, ago

Forward Observer — Let’s Get the Toxic Exposure Research Act Passed

LVMAC Poster Art 2005The 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…)

By LVMAC, ago