News Blog

LVMAC Tidbit — Healthcare for Veterans: “It Takes a Village”

Local Hospitals Continue Making Progress

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On 20 June 2013 at Northampton Community College (NCC) in Bethlehem, the Lehigh Valley Military Affairs Council (LVMAC) hosted the second annual Executive Steering Committee Conference on the subject of local military veteran healthcare.  All the hospital networks in the Lehigh Valley were represented, including the Wilkes-Barre VA Medical Center, the local supporting Veterans Health Administration (VHA) network. (more…)

By LVMAC, ago

Forward Observer — TRICARE For Life Users Face Potentially Higher Costs When Using the VA

LVMAC Poster Art 2005In an August 14,  2013 News Release, TRICARE announced that its TRICARE For Life (TFL) beneficiaries may incur higher costs for treatment when using a VA healthcare facility effective October 1 – if the condition for which they are being treated is not related to their service-connected disability.

It states that after October 1, 2013, “as part of the intake process at VA facilities … TFL beneficiaries will be asked if they’re using their VA or TFL benefit or if they have other health insurance (OHI).  When electing to use their TFL benefit at the VA, they will also be informed they must pay the remained bill after TRICARE pays its portion of the TRICARE-allowable charge. They may be asked to sign a form indicating they understand their responsibility.” (more…)

By LVMAC, ago

Forward Observer — The Cornerstone of Good Community

LVMAC Poster Art 2005The cornerstone of a good community is its awareness and engagement in civic life.  When it comes upon war, things can sometimes be done outside of government and political processes which can meaningfully Cornerstone MAC 1st Annual-Flyerassist our military, our veterans and their families.  One way is to do fundraising but also to ensure the money goes to organizations that actually help military servicemembers from and military veterans in the communities in which they live. (more…)

By LVMAC, ago

LVMAC Tidbit — Sigal Museum and American Legion Post 9 Partner to Remember 9/11

From 20 August through 20 September, the Sigal Museum at 342 Northampton Street, Easton will host showings of the 911 Memorial Flag, beginning with a flag raising ceremony at 2.30 p.m. on 20 August.911 Memorial Flag_Sigal Museum 20Aug2013

On display will be a 22’ x 32’ flag using nearly 3,000 American flags representing each victim who died as a result of the World Trade Towers, Pentagon and Flight #93 terrorist attacks. (more…)

By LVMAC, ago

LVMAC Tidbit — Raymour & Flannigan and Jewish War Veterans Join Forces Locally

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Raymour & Flanigan and Jewish War Veterans of the USA (JWV), the oldest, existing veterans group in the United States, have joined together in an effort to raise monies for the wounded veterans who have returned from the Post 9/11 wars.  All veteran organizations and returning wounded are invited to participate in this effort in a display of unity. (more…)

By LVMAC, ago

LVMAC Tidbit — Help Blue Star Mothers Chapter 201 Get Tee’d Off

BSM LV 12wksXmasOur busy Blue Star Mothers of the Lehigh Valley Chapter No 201, a 501(c)(3) charitable nonprofit member organization, is hosting its third charity golf event, “Teeing Off for the Troops Tournament”,  to raise funds to support its various endeavors, making a difference to the lives of military service members and veterans from the Greater Lehigh Valley. Its activities include shipping about 1500 care packages to deployed semiannually, sponsoring holiday parties for military families, assisting veterans having financial troubles, providing travel funds for the families of injured soldiers visiting their loved ones, conducting ‘welcome home’ events for returning troops; and visiting patients at VA hospitals. (more…)

By LVMAC, ago

LVMAC Tidbit: PPL Wants to Work With the Council

Anthony Pearson, Founder and President of PPLVets, a “Business Resource Group” (BRG) of PPL Corporation, the local power and light company, spoke to the Council at its 19 June business meeting. He is Persian Gulf War (Gulf War I) Marine who served from 1989 through 1993.

Pearson explained PPL has had ten other minority and special group BRG’s since it began them about 13 to 14 years ago, but it had never had one for veterans until (more…)

By LVMAC, ago