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…)

LVMAC Tdibit: White House VA Hotline Now Operational and Properly Staffed

On 29 November 2017, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced that the White House VA Hotline (first launched in June as part of President Donald J. Trump’s commitment to reforming VA but which also had a shaky start) is now fully staffed with live agents working to serve veterans 24-hours a day, 365 days a year. The actual facility location is in Shepherdstown, West Virginia. (more…)

LVMAC Tidbit — Veterans ID Card Rolls Out

VA Announces Rollout and Application Process for New Veterans ID Card

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced that the application process for the national Veterans Identification Card (VIC) is now available for veterans, an action overdue since 2015 and still causing controversy among some veterans organizations over the implementation of the character of service requirement (unlike the VA, the law excludes practically no one who has served).  Currently only those veterans with honorable service will be able to apply for the ID card.  However, this is a change from previous statements by others because it means those who have a general discharge (under honorable conditions) can now also apply, in addition to those with honorable discharges/releases. (more…)

Forward Observer — Victory House Seeks Community Foundation Grant Also

LVMAC Poster Art 2005You may find this strange at a time when we are also seeking a Lehigh Valley Community Foundation Grant,  but we wish you to know that Victory House does exceptionally fine service for our veterans who need extra help in getting back on track.  They are a valued partner in our homelessness initiative.

Indeed, except for CACLV, all the finalists for a Lehigh Valley Community Foundation grant are member organizations in LVMAC.  We support or form efforts addressing a range of needs that define a supportive community.  Our membership reflects the gamut of our interests.  Therefore, we do not like the appearance of competing with our member partners, for this is not our intent.  For us, at this time, it is more about promoting a good effort on the part of  the Lehigh Valley Community Foundation to become engaged in assisting our military and veterans community.  Accordingly, we openly publish this request from Victory House: (more…)