LVMAC Tidbit — Looking for a Few Good Women

HFHLV Women's Build 2013No, it is not Marine recruiting we’re talking about, but instead a Habitat for Humanity of the Lehigh Valley request for veterans as construction volunteers.

They seek about 10 to 20 women who are veterans or in the Guard and Reserves for a day’s worth of construction during its Women’s Blitz Build on St. James St. in Bethlehem expected to occur from August 13 through 24, this year. (more…)

Forward Observer — Adalberto Morales Introduces Us to Suicide Prevention Services

LVMAC Poster Art 2005Adalberto Morales, one of two Suicide Prevention Coordinators at Wilkes-Barre VA Medical Center (VAMC), gave an outstanding talk to the Council at its 15 May business meeting.  His sole purpose is to help those contemplating suicide to get to needed help, no matter where – within the VA system or within the community. Together with Denise Carey, they operate 24/7 and are busy.

Morales affirmed suicide has become a serious problem for veterans and it is a problem for more than those who have more recently served, the focus of most media articles.  He has witnessed an increase among Vietnam era veterans as they retire also. As a result, the Center for Disease Control (CDC) estimates since 2010, a suicide occurs every 11 to 15 minutes (or about 105 suicides daily).  Consequently, suicide has risen from the fifteenth to the tenth leading cause of death in the United States.

Making matters worse, the Lehigh Valley and Northeastern Pennsylvania are already known for their high suicide rates in their populations. The Wilkes-Barre VAMC has 35 active cases currently being closely monitored, but over the last year, there have been six ‘completions’ and more than 60 “serious attempts” at suicide have occurred – “ideations” being in the hundreds.  Therefore, the Wilkes-Barre VAMC Coordinators alternate to provide a 24/7 service, the only ones in the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) system to do so other than those in the national Crisis Call Center. (more…)

LVMAC Tidbit — On 27 May Give Time for a Moment of Remembrance

Memorial Day should be more than a picnic holidayLVMAC Poster Art 2007 and a sales day.  It is intended to be a day when we remember those who fought and died for us and our way of life, and to rededicate ourselves to good purposes to ensure their sacrifice was not wasted.  In an effort to remind our citizenry, adults and youth, of what it sometimes required of us to be Americans, a National Moment of Remembrance was added to the day in 2000. (more…)

LVMAC Tidbit — A Special Memorial Day Service

Cedar Crest Bible Fellowship Church is continuingCCBFC Memorial Day 26May2013 Flyer its tradition of holding a special Memorial Day service on 26 May at 9 a.m. for veterans at its church located just off the intersection of Cedar Crest Boulevard and I-78 in Allentown.  This year’s guest speaker will be Retired Rear Admiral Tim Ziemer who is currently the U.S.  Global Malaria Coordinator. (more…)