Coming home and transitioning often leads to more questions than answers as the reality sets in. Trying to get good information, often with a local Lehigh Valley slant — i.e., tailored information? Lost in the thicket of government, nonprofit and business websites when simply trying to get a lead on where to first inquire? (more…)
Cedar Crest Bible Fellowship Church is continuing
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…)
With Jason Moon
NO ARTISTIC EXPERIENCE OR ABILITY NECESSARY!
FULL SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE
June 19 – 23, 2013
Pendle Hill, Wallingford, PA (Click on for map location)
To the General Public:
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…)
Retired Flag Ceremonies to Occur in June; Recognizing the Fifth Anniversary of the Program
Boy 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…)
Kerry Smith, Staff Attorney, Community Legal Services of Philadelphia, a leading advocate for low income residents in the Philadelphia area, spoke to the Council at its 20 March business meeting as a member of a coalition of over 90 organizations – including the Community Action Committee of Lehigh Valley, MOAA of Pennsylvania, the Navy Marine Corps Relief Society, the Veterans Leadership Program of Western Pennsylvania; and the Council of Churches, AFL-CIO and AARP of Pennsylvania – who have concerns about the recent lobbying to allow payday lending in Pennsylvania, which is currently illegal. (more…)
This trip is for World War II veterans. The WWII Homefront Gals and Guys organization, operating out of Berks and Lancaster County, is sponsoring a trip to the World War II Memorial on 27 April 2013. For a few in our area of operations, the pick up points at the Berkshire Mall and the Lancaster Shopping Center are reasonably close. We hear they are having trouble filling the bus. So maybe you can bring your own “chaperone”? (more…)
Habitat for Humanity of the Lehigh Valley, a low income housing building ministry which relies on volunteers, is keenly interested in finding veterans to help them because they come with many of the skill sets needed. It is currently offering Read more…
In case you are wondering what we have been up to regarding our trendsetting fly fishing program which is a partnership project with Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing, Inc., click on the image below: (more…)
Debra Cummins, Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity of the Greater Lehigh Valley (HFHLV), an LVMAC member, and her Program Development Director, Thomas Mohr, a veteran, addressed the Council at its 17 March 2013 business meeting on its desire to recruit veterans as volunteers.
She said, “Habitat for Humanity International, the parent organization, has a global vision of everyone having a decent place to live. And Habitat has been in the Lehigh Valley since 1989 improving lives, seeking to put God’s love into action by bringing people together, for it is an ecumenical movement.” She emphasized the organization will work with and provide homes regardless of a person’s religious persuasion. (more…)