LVMAC Tidbit — Come! Salute the Troops

To the General Public:LVMAC Salute to Troops Dinner Flyer 2013 v2

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…)

LVMAC Tidbit — BSA Troop 57 Spreads Its Ashes on Graves

Retired Flag Ceremonies to Occur in June; Recognizing the Fifth Anniversary of the Program

BSA PA 57 A2G June 2013 FlyerBoy 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…)

LVMAC Tidbit — Wan’a Trip to the World War II Memorial?

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…)

LVMAC News — Veterans, Reservists and the National Guard Should Worry About a Pennsylvania Payday Lending Bill

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In this Issue

Pending Payday Lending Legislation: A Debt Trap for Military Veterans
General Announcements
Homelessness
Scholarship Program
Community Educational Outreach
PTSD Booklet for Families
Healthcare in Our Community
Veterans Supportive Colleges Initiative
DoD/VA News

Pending Payday Lending Legislation: A Debt Trap for Military Veterans

Go to the Forward Observer article on payday lending to read what Kerry Smith told the Council at its 20 March business meeting. (more…)

LVMAC Tidbit — PA Superior Court “Argues” About Vets

An Event Honoring Those Who Have Served

On 26 February the Argument Court of the PA Superior Court is coming to Northampton County and will begin its special session by hosting an open program to honor our veterans.  The event is called, “Honoring Those Who Serve – A Tribute to Our Veterans.”  The purpose of the event is to publicly acknowledge the military service and sacrifices made by veterans and their families.  During the program, three veterans of different wars will speak. (more…)

LVMAC Tidbit — Last Call for 2013 Student Vets Conference

Less than two weeks are left until the March 2nd through 3rd Student Veterans Education & Employment Conference at the William Pitt Student Union on the University of Pittsburgh campus, Pittsburgh, PA. Register today to meet the Student Veterans of America Staff and National Leadership Council Members who know first-hand effective strategies for supporting student veterans.  And even fewer days are left to register.  The deadline for registration is Friday, February 22nd. (more…)

LVMAC Tidbit — A Women Veterans Symposium, First of Its Kind in Pennsylvania

The Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA), under which the Office of Veterans Affairs is found,  is hosting its first Pennsylvania Women Veterans Symposium (PWVS) on March 8-10, 2013, at the Wyndham Hotel in Gettysburg.  All Pennsylvania women veterans, regardless of period of service, are welcome.

The symposium is geared to meet the needs of women veterans by providing them with information and resources, to include VA benefits and health care.  Important guest speakers will be featured, as well as breakout sessions on a variety of topics of particular interest to women veterans.  The event will also provide an opportunity to meet fellow vets and build camaraderie. (more…)

LVMAC Tidbit — Veterans Day Discounts for 2012 and Pennsylvania’s Act 176 of 2012

We frequently get calls about Veterans discount programs.  On Veterans Day, in particular, businesses often discount goods, services and dining at their establishments as a token of appreciation for our our veterans and servicemembers, as well as their families.  One of the more complete and maintained sources is found at Military.com.  Click here for Veterans Day offerings.

By the way, Pennsylvania’s Governor on 24 October signed into law House Bill 2428 as Act 176 of 2012.  Its importance? (more…)