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

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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 proof of eligibility to any federal benefits, entitlements and services; and it does not grant access to military installations.  It only establishes an honorably discharged veteran served in the armed forces (although we cannot find where the law specifies one must be honorably discharged).  Therefore, essentially their primary value lies in obtaining business discounts — that is, “goods, services and promotional activities” offered by the private and public sector.  Although the law specifies the VA shall charge for this service (one could consider it an off-mission burden), the Department of Veterans Affairs has said it will not.  Note that military exchanges will offer their online services to any veteran with an honorable discharge as of 11 November 2017.  Serendipity?

For more information on the law, see https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/114/hr91/text

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As of 4 October 2017

LVMAC News — Rodale Institute Speaks to Council About Its Veterans Programs

On 16 August 2017, Lyndsey Antanitis from the Rodale Institute spoke to the Council on its relatively new veterans farming initiative.

LVMAC News — Local War Veteran’s Family Receive Specially Equipped Van

Result of Joint Lehigh Valley Effort with Recycled Rides Program

In a joint effort between the Lehigh Valley Military Affairs Council (LVMAC), Reliable Auto Body and the National Auto Body Council’s Recycled Rides Program™, the keys to a newly refurbished 2010 BraunAbility EntryVan (wheelchair adapted) were presented to the Mescavage family at an 11 a.m. on 23 May at Reliable Auto Body, located at 967 Sumner Ave., Whitehall, PA. 

LVMAC Tidbit — Department of Banking and Securities Offers Financial Management Conference

Register for 9 June Event Now

Although originally created to address a Pennsylvania Guard “Family” need, the program has application to veterans and their families as well.  In fact, the Pennsylvania’s Department of Banking and Securities is offering the event to both groups.   Click here to go directly to the registration site.  After attending, give us your feedback.  Perhaps an event can be arranged in the Lehigh Valley in the future, if we hear good words about it.

LVMAC Tidbit — Wilkes-Barre VA seeks to establish a Veteran and Family Advisory Council

Click on image to enlarge.

May be heavily hospital-oriented initially, but it is also a way to feed new thoughts to the staff about customer service and events elsewhere.  A vast portion of their activities are outside that pleasure dome known as Wilkes-Barre VA Hospital.

Yes, it is an old idea with a face lift, but it may now be worth a shot. The VA is changing.

The statement “Ability to see beyond his/her own personal experience,” is key. If you are going to talk about yourself first, you are not looking out for others.

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As of 20 April 2017

LVMAC Tidbit — VA’s new online tool helps Veterans make informed health care decision: VAntage Point

Click on the image to see the VAntage Point article and how to use it.

This is a step forward which local health networks might want to emulate.  They should at least participate.

Regardless of the controversy which stimulated it, such willingness on the part of the VA to be transparent should prove useful to toward improving the quality of and the understanding of the state of healthcare, if the effort fulfills its promise.  It is a brave step on their part.

Here is a rhetorical question: would private sector healthcare have similar or worse problems, if it were held to the same standards and expectations that veterans ask of its VA?  Such user-oriented, tools might help all.

Click here to go directly to the tool itself.

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As of 12 April 2017