LVMAC News: A Very Special Event, A’s for Vets Virtual Run ‘n Walk

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Academics for Veterans (A’s for Vets), an alliance formed by the LVMAC, consisting of Institutions of Higher Learning in the Greater Lehigh Valley endeavoring to better assist veterans seeking education and support, is conducting a Virtual 5K Ruck ‘n Walk Challenge.  The event will take place during Veterans Appreciation Week from 8 November through 15 November. (more…)

LVMAC Tidbit: NCC provides free truck driver training to veterans and their families

U.S Department of Transportation’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) helps NCC provide free Class A CDL training programs to veterans and their families. 

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This August, Northampton Community College (NCC) received a $163,200 grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) to provide free Class A truck driving training to 40 current or former members of the United States Armed Forces, their spouses and adult children.  NCC will recruit qualified students, provide them with superior safety-focused training, support them through successful program completion, and provide placement services to assist them in becoming employed in the transportation industry. (more…)

LVMAC Tidbit: VR&E Program Now Offers “Tele-Counseling” to Improve Its Service

On 30 November, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA) Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Program (VR&E) announced its ability to provide “Tele-counseling” to those disabled veterans desiring it.

The VA’s Tele-counseling, or virtual communication system, allows the use of any device with a webcam and microphone to communicate with one of its 1,000-plus Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors (VRC).  This capability reduces travel costs and time for both veterans and VRCs, thereby potentially improving a veteran’s access to necessary VR&E services.  “VR&E’s Tele-counseling service is another example of how VA continually modernizes in support of Veterans’ needs … [It provides] personalized, interactive face-to-face services regardless of location”, according to the Secretary of the VA, Robert Wilkie.
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LVMAC Tidbit: A Post-9/11 Vet Article on Depleted Uranium

Depleted uranium (DU) has 60 percent of the radioactivity of natural uranium.  It is a byproduct of creating the enriched product for nuclear reactors and weapons.  Because of its density, easy availability, and relatively low cost, the U.S. military found it to be useful in manufacturing tank armor and some bullets to penetrate enemy armored vehicles. The large-scale use of DU for this purpose began during the Gulf War and has continued. (more…)

LVMAC Tidbit: August 16 Webinar to Empower Military Parents

[Editor’s Note: This is what is what used to be called a “late wire” before the days of high technology, but here it goes …  hoping this reaches you, if it applies, in time.]

Growing up as a military child has both its advantages and difficulties; and the military services have always depended upon stable families to help ensure unit readiness. Therefore, it should come as no surprise that the Department of Defense’s Office of Military Community and Family Policy has partnered with Penn State University’s Clearinghouse for Military Family Readiness to implement what is called the THRIVE Initiative in yet another effort to empower military parents as they nurture their children. (more…)