Education

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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By LVMAC, ago

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…)

By LVMAC, ago

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…)

By LVMAC, ago

Forward Observer: A Reading of the Declaration of Independence Comes to Allentown and Easton

LVMAC Poster Art 2005Annually, Zion UCC (see flyer) annually reads the Declaration of Independence at a Sunday Service.  It serves as a reminder of how special a nation we are, and how blessed we are to have our liberties and freedoms — though we often take them for granted in our our workaday lives.  Easton also does this on July 8, the day in 1776 the Declaration was first read in this area.  At the time, Easton was the seat of county government for what are now Lehigh and Northampton counties.  Both events are worth the trip, for they cause us to think on how the Declaration of Independence came about.

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By LVMAC, ago

LVMAC Tidbit: Pennsylvania’s Unknown(?) Educational Gratuity Program for Disabled Veterans’ Children

Since it is operated by our Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA) and not the Department of  Education, you may have never thought to look for an educational program for your children on their website.  Therefore, for those of you rated with a 100% permanent disability from the military or the VA — or  your spouse died in a war, you might want to know about this program.  Every dollar helps to give your children a better life.  We took this from their Transition Assistance News article of May 2018, verbatim: (more…)

By LVMAC, ago

LVMAC News: A Little Advanced Notice on Our Scholarship Program

We want to ensure the word spreads of our Scholarship Program, which has some unique features to it.  This long-running program — our oldest — has helped almost 150 recipients since its inception.  We therefore ask that our membership help spread word of it.  We want to continue to find those we can best help after their return from military service in appreciation of their service to our community and society; and to help provide the quality individuals the junior officer corps of our military always desperately needs. They above, all others, have priority. (more…)

By LVMAC, ago