News Blog

LVMAC News — Use Your Educational Benefits Wisely Starting 7 November

A's For Vets TwoJust got out and maybe wondering if going back to school is for you — maybe even lacking a little self-confidence about being the right material for a school of higher learning?  Not sure how to best use your educational benefits?  Confused about the process or the next step?  You’ve served in the military,  one of the hardest environments in which to survive even if you did not go into combat — and you’ve done it … what most could not.  Wonder why?  The U.S. military is one of the best trainers and educators in the world, second to none.

So … why not then take advantage of some of the finest educators and subject matter experts in the state to learn about how to train for civilian employment using your military skills, the GI Bill and other benefits.  Why not learn how to use every ounce of your benefits to your advantage and not someone else’s; why not learn from others who are and have just gone through the school on what to look out for, tips and traps.  Why not learn about what jobs are in demand in the Lehigh Valley if you intend to remain here after schooling; why not get to know the schools and trade schools in the area;  and why not just figure out — plain and simple — if school is the right fit for you?   (more…)

By LVMAC, ago

LVMAC Tidbit — Uncle Dod Needs Your Help

USAMRMC logoThe U.S. Army’s Medical Research and Materiel Command (USAMRMC) is responsible to the Department of Defense (DoD) for the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP), which is charged with finding and funding often leading-edge, medical research for new devices and treatments for the many injuries and illnesses sustained by our military, veterans; and ultimately the American public.  This little known but well-regarded effort has been in existence since 1995.  It now seeks your help.  In light of all the actions this Council has taken to improve the health of our veterans, we think this is a government effort worthy of your consideration.

One of the notable features of CDMRP is that it reviews proposed new ideas using citizens on review panels to help recommend which efforts would make the most important and positive differences in people’s lives. (more…)

By LVMAC, ago

LVMAC Tidbit: Did Yah Know? Actionable Items of Potential Interest – #1

Gulf War Vets Needed for Research: The War Related Illness and Injury Study Center at the VA in East Orange, N.J., currently has several research studies focused on Gulf War veterans who deployed to Operation Desert Shield/Storm, as well as non-deployed veterans of the same era. If you are a veteran from the 1990-91 era, or if you have a Gulf War illness and would like to know more about the research, please call 1-800-248-8005 or visit their Gulf War Research page at: http://www.warrelatedillness.va.gov/research/volunteer/nj-wriisc.asp.

(Source: VFW Action Corps Weekly, 18 September 205) (more…)

By LVMAC, ago

LVMAC Tidbit — Are You Coming? Have you registered?

AO Town Hall Logo wo backgroundEditor’s Note:  It has been written about before on this blogsite, but the September 19 date for the Lehigh Valley’s first Agent Orange Seminar is nigh and we think it important that you do not miss out on a chance to educate yourselves because your children may be affected — whether or not you are a Vietnam War veteran or ever served.  It is high time to register and reserve a seat.

Expert speakers from as far away as the state of Maryland are coming to the Lipkin Theatre, the site of the seminar.  Dr. Peter Kahn of the Department of Biochemistry & Microbiology at Rutgers University; Dr. Tom Berger of the Vietnam Veterans of America’s (VVA) Veterans Health Center; Professor Kelly Allen of the Sustainability Committee of Northampton Community College; Paul Sutton, the VVA’s special advisor to the National Committee on Agent Orange and Mike Eckstein, the VVA State Council Chair for New Jersey’s Agent Orange efforts, will all speak. 

This is an unique opportunity to listen and learn about a subject constantly in the papers but not well understood.  The Press Release below tells you more: (more…)

By LVMAC, ago

Forward Observer — Understanding Veterans Real Estate Tax Exemptions in PA and NJ

LVMAC Poster Art 2005Real Estate tax exemptions for veterans have come up more than once at veterans group meeting. Confusion often reigns. Word of mouth frequently leads to misunderstandings.  Perhaps the worst part is surviving spouses are often forgotten – to include the surviving spouses of a servicemembers killed in action. This article is an attempt to clarify the situation for our members who live in Pennsylvania and that other country, New Jersey.  While it is beyond the scope of this article to determine with certainty any local ordinances regarding exemptions exist (none are currently known), the existing laws in both states are discussed.

First, the belief that real estate tax exemptions for a disabled veteran are federal law is not true.  Any real estate tax exemption, waiver or reduction (hereafter, called “exemption”) is the result of a local ordinance or state law. (more…)

By LVMAC, ago

LVMAC — Photos of Lehigh and Northampton Vietnam Veterans Wanted for Vietnam Veterans Memorial

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Source: VVMF’s Education Center Webpage

The Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA), in partnership with the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund, Inc. (VVMF) — the nonprofit organization authorized by the U.S. Congress in 1980 to build a national memorial dedicated to all who served with the U.S. armed forces in the Vietnam War — is asking that you help them locate more than 600 photos of Pennsylvanians who sacrificed their lives in the Vietnam War and for whom VVMF has no photos.  As of 14 August, twenty-eight on the list are from Lehigh and Northampton counties. (more…)

By LVMAC, ago

LVMAC Tidbit — Local Vietnam Veterans Memorial to be Dedicated

EAHS Vietnam Veterans Committee Logo 2013-195x285After years of hard work, the Easton Area High School Vietnam Veterans Memorial Committee has announced it will be conducting a dedication ceremony for its high school’s Vietnam Veterans Memorial on 29 August at 10 a.m.  The public is invited.

The memorial was erected to pay tribute to those who attended Easton Area High School and went off to serve in the Vietnam Conflict — some of whom never returned home.  It is one of the few such high school memorials in the nation.  Working strictly at a grassroots level, the effort is a stellar, everyman achievement, and speaks well of their community and our Lehigh Valley in regard to recognizing both the importance and price of military service to our nation. (more…)

By LVMAC, ago