Education

LVMAC Tidbit: At Last! An Agent Orange Seminar for the General Public

VVA 415 AO Town Hall Flyer No. 2 19Sep2015Editor’s Note:  We wish to bring your attention to something we consider to be a very special event in the Lehigh Valley — a seminar on Agent Orange not only for veterans, but also their progeny and the general public.  Pennsylvania VVA Chapter 415 of the Vietnam Veterans of America is sponsoring it and is bringing in well-known, national-level speakers, some with academic credentials.  Please note we’re using the term “Agent Orange” as an umbrella term for several different kinds of herbicides used in Vietnam … and in the United States.

You may be asking yourself why invite the progeny of veterans and the general public,  for weren’t the effects of Agent Orange limited to those military veterans who served in Vietnam?   It is because, many believe, more than military veterans have been affected but also their progeny and, additionally, the general public — these products were not only used in Vietnam.  Consequently, the chapter is seeking to heighten their awareness through education and to gain their assistance in pushing needed government research studies long overdue and resisted.  The Congress, the Department of Veterans Affairs and other departments of government may have been turning a blind eye to a matter of importance to all of us.

For more information and how to register for the event, refer to the article below, which is being republished with the kind permission of its author and appeared in the June 2015 issue of Lifestyles over 50. (more…)

By LVMAC, ago

Forward Observer — Finally! Pennsylvania In-State Tuition Rate Now Applies to “State-less” Veterans

LVMAC Poster Art 2005After years of foot dragging, the General Assembly has finally acted.  The one-year residency requirement to receive the in-state tuition rate at a public institution of higher leaning in Pennsylvania is now officially waived.  Act 11 of 2015 was signed into law by the Governor on 29 June.  It amends Act 287 of 1982 by requiring community colleges and state related/state-owned institutions to provide in-state tuition rates for veterans, their spouses and dependent children wanting to use their GI Bill benefits regardless of how long they have resided in the state. (more…)

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LVMAC Tidbit — Spiritual Fitness Training Offered by Army OneSource on 15 July

Army OneSource Logo_234x60_greenPA Military Spirtual Wellness Alliance Flyer 15July2015Army OneSource has launched a formal campaign to engage faith leaders and counselors in providing services and support to meet the spiritual and emotional needs of soldiers and their families.  It wishes to raise the awareness of the role that faith communities can play and to  provide them resources to reach out to soldiers and their families within a community.  This is the first time we have seen this initiative being put into practice Pennsylvania and therefore want to let you know about it. (more…)

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LVMAC Tidbit — For Memorial Day Pole Watchers

flagdayanimation5This is for those who keep their heads up.  We are writing about U.S. flag etiquette on Memorial Day and also, the Commonwealth’s — having taken note of the Whitehall Township’s unintentional breach of flag decorum.   We should be proud of how many Americans display their flag — something probably unique to our nation.  Nevertheless, as proud as we are to be Americans, frequently forget proper flag etiquette.

On Monday, 25 May, it goes as follows: (more…)

By LVMAC, ago

LVMAC News — Last Call — for Our Annual Salute Your Troops Dinner!

LVMAC Salute to the Troops Dinner Flyer 22May2015LVMAC Logo (Best Small PNG)The Lehigh Valley Military Affairs Council  is conducting its “Salute to the Troops” this year on 22 May, starting at 6 p.m., again at the Days Hotel (The Jetport), 3400 Airport Road in Allentown.  Please come, but immediately make your reservation.  Don’t worry if you a few days beyond the suspense date on the form, though tables are filling quickly and we do need to get the order in to the caterer as soon as possible.
(more…)

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LVMAC News — Are You Transitioning? A’s for Vets Has an Education Fair for You

Soldier Grad 3The key purposes of a GI Bill are to assist a returning military veteran in readjusting and retraining for new employment.  While not all veterans have the need or seek the use of their educational benefits, approximately 25 per cent of returning veterans do within two years of discharge.  It therefore behooves us to pay attention to their needs for us to reap the biggest gain for our society.  Academics for Veterans, or A’s for Vets, intends to do just that; and it is about to conduct its first major event with that intention.  The LVMAC alliance will conduct an education fair for military veterans and their families  on 28 February, beginning at 8 a.m., at Moravian College’s Haupert Union Building.  Click here for the details and on how to register while space is available. (more…)

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LVMAC Tidbit — Short Notice, Act Fast: Ritter School Again Seeks Vets!

Ritter Elementary SchoolRitter Elementary School at 740 N Plymouth St, Allentown, PA 18109, is again having its annual, fifth grade student’s veterans’ interview day.  The interviews are to be conducted on 1 October.  This is one of the oldest school events involving veterans in the Lehigh Valley and has a sterling reputation among veterans from our community who have participated.  It is a tradition carried on by the teachers themselves in remembrance of our veterans and their contributions to our nation and community.    (more…)

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