At 1 p.m. on 10 November at the Catasauqua American Legion Building, the Belleau Woods Chapter of the Leathernecks Nation Motorcycle Club is hosting a very special U.S. Marine Corps Birthday celebration. (more…)
The Lehigh Valley Military Affairs Council conducted its Scholarship awards for 2013 at the Council’s 21 August meeting and awarded twelve $1,000 scholarships. Phil Hublitz and Bob Rothenberger, Co-Chairs for our Scholarship Program, led us into uncharted waters this year. (more…)
The cornerstone of a good community is its awareness and engagement in civic life. When it comes upon war, things can sometimes be done outside of government and political processes which can meaningfully 
assist our military, our veterans and their families. One way is to do fundraising but also to ensure the money goes to organizations that actually help military servicemembers from and military veterans in the communities in which they live. (more…)
Raymour & Flanigan and Jewish War Veterans of the USA (JWV), the oldest, existing veterans group in the United States, have joined together in an effort to raise monies for the wounded veterans who have returned from the Post 9/11 wars. All veteran organizations and returning wounded are invited to participate in this effort in a display of unity. (more…)
Our busy Blue Star Mothers of the Lehigh Valley Chapter No 201, a 501(c)(3) charitable nonprofit member organization, is hosting its third charity golf event, “Teeing Off for the Troops Tournament”, to raise funds to support its various endeavors, making a difference to the lives of military service members and veterans from the Greater Lehigh Valley. Its activities include shipping about 1500 care packages to deployed semiannually, sponsoring holiday parties for military families, assisting veterans having financial troubles, providing travel funds for the families of injured soldiers visiting their loved ones, conducting ‘welcome home’ events for returning troops; and visiting patients at VA hospitals. (more…)
Anthony Pearson, Founder and President of PPLVets, a “Business Resource Group” (BRG) of PPL Corporation, the local power and light company, spoke to the Council at its 19 June business meeting. He is Persian Gulf War (Gulf War I) Marine who served from 1989 through 1993.
Pearson explained PPL has had ten other minority and special group BRG’s since it began them about 13 to 14 years ago, but it had never had one for veterans until (more…)
Showing support for our local veterans
The Teamster Horsemen Motorcycle Association Chapter 53 North will host its first annual ride to benefit local veterans on July 20, 2013 at Tri-Boro Sportsmen Club, 21st and Canal Streets, Northampton, PA. (more…)
Five Guys (Burgers) will be holding the fundraiser from 24 to 26 June for a new local organization, Support No Stigma. If interested in supporting this organization, all you have to do eat at one of the three locations in the area and present the flyer when you pay. Five Guys Read more…
Editor’s Note: Kerry Smith, a Staff Attorney for Community Legal Services of Philadelphia was the speaker at our March Council Meeting. Ms. Smith, at that time, explained the harm of such lending legislation and how other states which have passed such wish they could turn back the clock. She urged the Council to stand up for our veterans and oppose any such legislation.
The Pennsylvania Council of Chapters, Military Officers Association of America, strongly opposes Senate Bill 975, the Micro Loan Program, recently introduced on May 31, 2013 to legalize payday lending in Pennsylvania at 300% interest on a two-week loan. We agree with them. The bill, which will result in such usury despite possible good intentions, has surprisingly made it out of the Senate Banking and Insurance Committee by a narrow 8 to 6 voting margin and is now on the floor of the Senate for a vote in a few more days. 
Since the possibility exists for our legislators to fail to take — or are not given — the time to completely read the bills they vote upon on a Senate or House floor (let alone reflect upon their possible unintended consequences), your timely action could make the difference in their decision-making. (more…)
Coming home and transitioning often leads to more questions than answers as the reality sets in. Trying to get good information, often with a local Lehigh Valley slant — i.e., tailored information? Lost in the thicket of government, nonprofit and business websites when simply trying to get a lead on where to first inquire? (more…)