Tidbits
LVMAC Tidtbit: An Unusual Opportunity Presents Itself for Our Wounded Warriors
The flyer speaks for itself. If interested, act fast and no later than 15 April. ### As of 2 April 2018
Forward Observer
Forward Observer: Governor Announces Veterans’ Trust Fund Grant Awards for 2018
On 12 March 2018, Governor Tom Wolf announced that 13 Pennsylvania county veterans’ affairs offices and 18 nonprofit organizations will receive in grants from the Veterans’ Trust Fund (VTF), which is administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA). (more…)
Tidbits
LVMAC Tidbit: Tax Assistance for 2018
By now, most have their W-2’s, 1099’s and what else they need to file their taxes. Therefore, we thought this webpage might be of use to you or some of your comrades. ### As of 22 February 2018
Forward Observer
Forward Observer: VA Veteran ID Card Available — Trying to Get It Right the Second Time Around
According to a 12 February post on the VA’s VAntage Point blogsite, the VA Veteran ID card (VIC) is available for registration once again. Previously the VA ID card was on hold due to a “high volume of traffic” according to the Department of Veterans Affairs. (more…)
LVMAC NEWS
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…)
Tidbits
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…)
Tidbits
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
Forward Observer — Victory House Seeks Community Foundation Grant Also
You 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…)
Forward Observer
Forward Observer — LVHN’s MAVRIC Opens on 10 November
Yet another glitzy and confusing acronym has appeared on the veterans scene: MAVRIC, which stands for “Military and Veterans Information/Resource Center.” But as our combat buddy, Bill Shakespeare, once said, “What’s in a name? that which we call a rose … By any other word would smell as sweet …” And, indeed, this one smells sweet. To fanfare (more…)
Tidbits
LVMAC Tidbit –VA Photo ID Cards (Proof of Service/Business Discount Cards) for All (Actually Most) Veterans Coming in November | Military.com
A VA official on Wednesday confirmed the cards are on track to be available nationwide starting in November. Source: VA Photo ID Cards for All Veterans Coming in November | Military.com Editor’s Note: This a result of the Veterans Identification Card Act of 2015. The card cannot be used as Read more…