Events

LVMAC Tidbit — Ritter Elementary School Seeks Veterans to Interview Now!

Ritter Elementary SchoolWhereas this once again a last minute notification for finding veterans to interview, the Ritter Elementary School in Allentown does conduct a well-regarded program worth a veteran’s contribution of his or her time to its students.  Interviews occur 4 October.  Therefore, sign up now.  See below for more information and who to contact.

The result of your effort will ultimately lead to one of the premier, annual Veterans Day period events in the Lehigh Valley.  This award-winning program was started over thirty years ago by a Principal and his teachers — well before the current war made appreciating our veterans popular — and has become part of the institutional culture of the school.  Help make that continue.

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By LVMAC, ago

LVMAC Tidbit — Wilkes-Barre VA Is Suddenly Interested in How Women Dress

Women Veterans Program partners with Dress for Success

va_sealA little short on the notice, the information below being released yesterday,  but women veterans in our area ought be aware that Wilkes-Barre VA Medical Center has a women’s program.  This is one of its latest offerings:

What:  The Women Veterans Program at the Wilkes-Barre VA Medical Center is inviting all Women Veterans to a presentation by Linda Armstrong of Dress for Success.  Dress for Success is an organization aimed at enhancing the professional development of women.  The program offers a variety of resources, including no cost professional attire and skills based development activities, necessary to build and enhance a successful career.

VA Eligibility and Human Resource Staff will also be available to answer your questions regarding enrollment for VA Services and VA employment.

For more information, contact Pat Conroy, Women Veterans Program Manager, at 824- 3521 ext. 7517 or Patricia.Conroy2@va.gov.

Attendees are asked to RSVP to Pat Conroy by close of business Wednesday, September 21, 2016. (more…)

By LVMAC, ago

Forward Observer — Honoring POW/MIA Day Locally

LVMAC Poster Art 2005POW/MIA Day fast approaches and will likely be buried under a blitz of other days and month of this and that announcements, to include Suicide Prevention Month.  Yet for some, this day is not forgotten and it is deeply felt, for the loss is still deeply felt.

While also it is to deny history to believe that we as a nation have always supported our troops or have been actively concerned about the missing, Governor Wolf nevertheless properly expresses the sentiment of the day in his proclamation below.  It would be appropriate that we, as individuals, pause and reflect some time during that day on his words. (more…)

By LVMAC, ago

Forward Observer — Lehigh Valley VA Homelessness Summit Needs More Community Involvement

LVMAC Poster Art 2005On 28 September, between the hours of 9 a.m. and 1 p.m., the Wilkes-Barre VA Medical Center (VAMC) is holding a Community Homelessness Assessment, Local Education and Networking Groups (CHALENG) Meeting and Summit at the Charles Chrin Community Center of Palmer Township (Gym II).

While there has been a long history of annual CHALENG meetings, holding one in the Lehigh Valley has been a rarity.  Considering the recent efforts of the Lehigh Valley Regional Homelessness Advisory Board (LVRHAB), the time has come to encourage such meetings locally if the VA is to be a true partner in this region’s homeless efforts – and not off to the side.

Because a summit implies the meeting of leaders, LVMAC is reaching out to various organizations (police departments, school districts, public housing authorities, special social work agencies, county and city governments, for example) to have a key officer or “mover and shaker” attend. (more…)

By LVMAC, ago

LVMAC Tidbit — Veterans Health Administration to Hold Town Hall in Bethlehem Area

VA LogoFor the first time in the Bethlehem area, the Wilkes-Barre VA Medical Center will be conducting a Community Town Hall — one of many such meetings the Veterans Health Administration is hosting nationwide on a quarterly basis. The event will be held on 29 June starting at 5 p.m. on Northampton Community College’s north main campus in the Gates Center’s Alumni Hall (Room 130) just off 3835 Green Pond Road, Bethlehem. (more…)

By LVMAC, ago

LVMAC Tidbit — Borinqueneer Gold Medal Ceremony

PABMC65th logoWe normally do not take note of or report on ceremonies outside the Lehigh Valley.  There are others who are more qualified to do so.  However, as one of our member organizations, the Borinqueneers 65th Motorcycle Club, Pennsylvania Chapter, was actively involved in securing the Congressional Gold Medal for the 65th Infantry Regiment — a labor requiring both persistence and devotion to doing the right thing — we thought you might like to know of an upcoming Philadelphia event. (more…)

By LVMAC, ago

Forward Observer — Veterans Giving Back

LVMAC Poster Art 2005In this blog site, we often write of entitlements and benefits veterans can receive.  However, as a population category, veterans contribute far more through their labors than they take from their communities.  Indeed, many veterans have the wisdom to understand the benefits of giving of themselves to improve their communities and those of others.

Below is one fine example of local, Lehigh Valley veterans trying to do far-reaching good — in this case, for the poor —  while attending to the spiritual/psychic well-being of fellow veterans.  As it happens, an effort such as this also shows the world the better side of the American people and our way of life.  Therefore, they gain for us in another way.  Thought you might be interested and, perhaps, in helping them. (more…)

By LVMAC, ago

Forward Observer — Vietnam War Commemorative Lapel Pins Available

But Who is Going to Distribute Them?

LVMAC Poster Art 2005Are you aware that as part of the 50th Anniversary Commemoration Program,  living veterans who served on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces at any time during the period of November 1, 1955 to May 15, 1975, regardless of the location at which they served, are eligible to receive a lapel pin?  The Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA) wants you to know.

The hitch is these lapel pins must be presented during public events held in their communities by Commemorative Partners (those organizations which signed up to conduct at least two commemorative events a year till 2018.  In the rare instance when an honoree cannot attend a public event, the pin may be presented during a private ceremony. (more…)

By LVMAC, ago

LVMAC News — Roll Call! Community Banquet to Honor Those Who Serve

LVMAC Logo (Best Small PNG)LVMAC Salute to the Troops Dinner Flyer 24Apr2016The Lehigh Valley Military Affairs Council’s annual “Salute to the Troops” dinner will be held on 13 May, starting at 6 p.m., at a new location this year:  the Holiday Inn at 7736 Adrienne Drive in Breinigsville.  Our member organizations are strongly encouraged to attend, but the event is open to any member of the community wishing the recognize the service of the current military and recently returned veterans.   Now the the time to reserve your seat(s).  We ask that you do this no later than 4 May. (more…)

By LVMAC, ago