Veterans Support

LVMAC Tidbit: Chess, “the Fairy Tale of 1001 Blunders”, Finds a Purpose

According to some, there is a growing body of empirical evidence that chess can help ease the symptoms of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) — helping with both cognitive functioning and mental health.  In some parts of the country, chess clubs have actively worked with U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs hospitals and the VFW.  And, chess brings people from all walks of life together more casually through the pleasure of a game — something often missing in our society.  Its benefit can be manifold. (more…)

By LVMAC, ago

LVMAC Tidbit: Victory House Requests A Minute of Your Time!

From the Executive Director of Victory House of Lehigh Valley:

We are excited and honored to be one of ten non-profit organizations chosen by Wind Creek for a chance to win $25,000! Please help us celebrate along with Wind Creek in their grand opening festivities. It does not cost you anything but a minute of your time to watch our video and VOTE for Victory House.  A Vote for Victory House is a Win for Victory House and a Win for Wind Creek Bethlehem.

Please view our video between September 23rd and 30th and then vote.
 (more…)

By LVMAC, ago

Forward Observer: Bethany Church Launches Effort to Address PTSD and Trauma

LVMAC Poster Art 2005It is in the formative stage, but the Bethany Church located in the Macungie area, will be hosting two workshops to promote a better understanding PTSD — with the intention of starting a peer-to-peer support group afterwards, if successful.  Led by Scotty Coyle, Pastor of Discipleship and also a current war, combat veteran, the approach is non-clinical, for he is not a clinical psychologist.  However, he is an experienced counselor who has studied PTSD treatments.

It is unfortunate that some veterans (more…)

By LVMAC, ago

LVMAC Tidbit: Have You Considered Our Counties’ Departments of Human Services as a Useful Resource for Veterans?

Regarding veterans benefits and services in this valley,we most often think of those provided by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the Department of Defense (DoD). The smattering of state veterans benefits are hardly given a thought.  Admittedly, for the average veteran they are nonexistent.

However, veterans and their families sometimes forget that county-level human services resources do exist which might be useful to them. After all, Pennsylvania state government depends upon its counties to deliver the majority of its organized, social services.  Unfortunately counties are generally inexpert at marketing or advertising the value of their Department of Human Services services to veterans and their families

Yet, to know of these resources is important, even for those receiving VA or DoD veterans benefits. (more…)

By LVMAC, ago

LVMAC Tidbit: New VA Veteran and Caregiver “Combined” App

App combines telehealth tools for faster service

By now everyone should know that the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is in love with telehealth; moreover, telehealth apps.  One end result is a multiplicity of them.  On 13 August, the VA announced it had recently launched a new mobile application to save veterans and caregivers time online. It claims the VA Launchpad for Veterans simplifies and organizes several existing tools and resources at one convenient location — to help manage health care needs. (more…)

By LVMAC, ago

LVMAC Tidbit: Bethany United Methodist Is Doing a Very Special Veterans Project

Bethany United Methodist Church, a member organization, after a fundraising effort, is about conduct a special, community build to improve the quality of life for “Bud” (a 101st Airborne Division, Purple Heart survivor of the Battle of Hamburger Hill) and his wife (a double amputee).  This family was featured at both the Ride for Freedom and the Tribute to Our Freedom in May.

Here is their call to action for volunteers: (more…)

By LVMAC, ago

LVMAC Tidbit: Park Service Offers Free Lifetime Access Passes to Disabled Veterans

Veterans with a service-connected disability rating can enter federal parks for free with a Lifetime National Parks Access Pass, which is not not hard to get.  Those with a disability rating of 10 per cent or higher are eligible.  Good for entry into over 400 national parks and  2,000 recreation sites across the country, the Lifetime Access Pass is the National Park Service’s  way of saying thank you to our veterans for their service and sacrifices. (more…)

By LVMAC, ago