News Blog

Forward Observer — Honey, The “In-Laws” Are Back! The Consumer Credit Association (Payday Lenders)

LVMAC Poster Art 2005Editor’s Note:  Kerry Smith, a Staff Attorney for Community Legal Services of Philadelphia was the speaker at our March Council Meeting.  Ms. Smith, at that time, explained the harm of such lending legislation and how other states which have passed such wish they could turn back the clock.  She urged the Council to stand up for our veterans and oppose any such legislation.

STAND WITH OUR MILITARY VETERANS: OPPOSE PAY DAY LENDING

Uninvolved Veterans, Get Off Your Derrieres and Protect Your Comrades

The Pennsylvania Council of Chapters, Military Officers Association of America, strongly opposes Senate Bill 975, the Micro Loan Program, recently introduced on May 31, 2013 to legalize payday lending in Pennsylvania at 300% interest on a two-week loan.  We agree with them.  The bill,  which will result in such usury despite possible good intentions, has surprisingly made it out of the Senate Banking and Insurance Committee by a narrow 8 to 6 voting margin and is now on the floor of the Senate for a vote in a few more days.  PA MOAA Payday Ltr 2013 Revised

Since the possibility exists for our legislators to fail to take — or are not given — the time to completely read the bills they vote upon on a Senate or House floor (let alone reflect upon their possible unintended consequences), your timely action could make the difference in their decision-making. (more…)

By LVMAC, ago

LVMAC Tidbit — Looking for a Few Good Women

HFHLV Women's Build 2013No, it is not Marine recruiting we’re talking about, but instead a Habitat for Humanity of the Lehigh Valley request for veterans as construction volunteers.

They seek about 10 to 20 women who are veterans or in the Guard and Reserves for a day’s worth of construction during its Women’s Blitz Build on St. James St. in Bethlehem expected to occur from August 13 through 24, this year. (more…)

By LVMAC, ago

Forward Observer — Adalberto Morales Introduces Us to Suicide Prevention Services

LVMAC Poster Art 2005Adalberto Morales, one of two Suicide Prevention Coordinators at Wilkes-Barre VA Medical Center (VAMC), gave an outstanding talk to the Council at its 15 May business meeting.  His sole purpose is to help those contemplating suicide to get to needed help, no matter where – within the VA system or within the community. Together with Denise Carey, they operate 24/7 and are busy.

Morales affirmed suicide has become a serious problem for veterans and it is a problem for more than those who have more recently served, the focus of most media articles.  He has witnessed an increase among Vietnam era veterans as they retire also. As a result, the Center for Disease Control (CDC) estimates since 2010, a suicide occurs every 11 to 15 minutes (or about 105 suicides daily).  Consequently, suicide has risen from the fifteenth to the tenth leading cause of death in the United States.

Making matters worse, the Lehigh Valley and Northeastern Pennsylvania are already known for their high suicide rates in their populations. The Wilkes-Barre VAMC has 35 active cases currently being closely monitored, but over the last year, there have been six ‘completions’ and more than 60 “serious attempts” at suicide have occurred – “ideations” being in the hundreds.  Therefore, the Wilkes-Barre VAMC Coordinators alternate to provide a 24/7 service, the only ones in the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) system to do so other than those in the national Crisis Call Center. (more…)

By LVMAC, ago

LVMAC Tidbit — On 27 May Give Time for a Moment of Remembrance

Memorial Day should be more than a picnic holidayLVMAC Poster Art 2007 and a sales day.  It is intended to be a day when we remember those who fought and died for us and our way of life, and to rededicate ourselves to good purposes to ensure their sacrifice was not wasted.  In an effort to remind our citizenry, adults and youth, of what it sometimes required of us to be Americans, a National Moment of Remembrance was added to the day in 2000. (more…)

By LVMAC, ago

LVMAC Tidbit — A Special Memorial Day Service

Cedar Crest Bible Fellowship Church is continuingCCBFC Memorial Day 26May2013 Flyer its tradition of holding a special Memorial Day service on 26 May at 9 a.m. for veterans at its church located just off the intersection of Cedar Crest Boulevard and I-78 in Allentown.  This year’s guest speaker will be Retired Rear Admiral Tim Ziemer who is currently the U.S.  Global Malaria Coordinator. (more…)

By LVMAC, ago

LVMAC Tidbit — Come! Salute the Troops

To the General Public:LVMAC Salute to Troops Dinner Flyer 2013 v2

On May 3rd, the Lehigh Valley Military Affairs Council (LVMAC) and the City of Allentown are sponsoring the tenth, annual “Salute to the Troops” dinner to honor our local military, veterans and their families. This festive occasion celebrates those who have recently returned to us and those who still serve us.  As part of our community, we ask you to express your own appreciation through taking the time to attend.

The dinner will be held at The Palace, 623 Hanover Avenue in Allentown.  Cocktails will begin at 6:00 pm and dinner at 7:00 pm. Event normally ends around 10 p.m.  Free parking is available onsite.

Cost is $35 per person.  All serving military and a guest are being invited to the dinner at no cost. (more…)

By LVMAC, ago

LVMAC Tidbit — BSA Troop 57 Spreads Its Ashes on Graves

Retired Flag Ceremonies to Occur in June; Recognizing the Fifth Anniversary of the Program

BSA PA 57 A2G June 2013 FlyerBoy Scout of America Troop 57, jointly sponsored by Union Evangelical Lutheran Congregation of Schnecksville and Union United Church of Christ of Neffs, will incinerate American flags at its Fifth Annual Flag Retirement Ceremony at 7:00pm on Tuesday, June 11th on the grounds of the Schnecksville Fire Company.

On June 18th, it will conduct its “Ashes to Graves” ceremony, at which time the incinerated ashes will be spread on Veteran Memorials and veterans’ graves in various church cemeteries located in the Lehigh Valley.   In the opinion of Mr. Peter Hermany, Event Coordinator, and others, this is much more fitting way to dispose of the ashes than dumping them in a trash can, as has occurred.

This year’s Flag Retirement Ceremony will include various tributes honoring the history of our flag, a special salute to military, and a review of the five year history of the “Ashes to Graves” program in addition to the cremation of the flags.  The Troop is therefore asking veterans and veterans organizations to participate in attending this event.

Flags will be collected starting the first week of May.  See below for contacts. (more…)

By LVMAC, ago