Special Ceremonies

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.  (more…)

By LVMAC, ago

LVMAC News — Last Call for Salute to the Troops

The Lehigh Valley Military Affairs Council is holding its fourteenth, annual Salute to the Troops dinner.  It will be held on Friday, May 12, starting at 6 PM, at the Holiday Inn on Adrienne Drive in Breinigsville, PA. This annual event honors military and veterans as part of the observance of Armed Forces week.  The evening will include a distinguished speaker, dinner and dancing.

The featured speaker is Lieutenant General Joseph Martz (U.S. Army Retired), who retired in 2014 after spending forty years in service to our nation.  The General hails from Pennsylvania, and began his service as an enlisted man in 1974. After commissioning in 1979 as an Armor officer, upon graduation from the United States Military Academy, he rose in the ranks as a notable warrior-scholar. (more…)

By LVMAC, ago

LVMAC Tidbit — Ritter Elementary School Seeks Veterans to Interview Now!

Ritter Elementary SchoolWhereas this once again a last minute notification for finding veterans to interview, the Ritter Elementary School in Allentown does conduct a well-regarded program worth a veteran’s contribution of his or her time to its students.  Interviews occur 4 October.  Therefore, sign up now.  See below for more information and who to contact.

The result of your effort will ultimately lead to one of the premier, annual Veterans Day period events in the Lehigh Valley.  This award-winning program was started over thirty years ago by a Principal and his teachers — well before the current war made appreciating our veterans popular — and has become part of the institutional culture of the school.  Help make that continue.

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By LVMAC, ago

Forward Observer — Honoring POW/MIA Day Locally

LVMAC Poster Art 2005POW/MIA Day fast approaches and will likely be buried under a blitz of other days and month of this and that announcements, to include Suicide Prevention Month.  Yet for some, this day is not forgotten and it is deeply felt, for the loss is still deeply felt.

While also it is to deny history to believe that we as a nation have always supported our troops or have been actively concerned about the missing, Governor Wolf nevertheless properly expresses the sentiment of the day in his proclamation below.  It would be appropriate that we, as individuals, pause and reflect some time during that day on his words. (more…)

By LVMAC, ago

LVMAC Tidibit — Embassy Seeks Korean War veterans to Honor with the Ambassador for Peace Medal

Korean Ambassador for Peace MedalIf you served in Korean War, you may be eligible for the Korean Ambassador for Peace Medal. This commemorative medal is an expression of appreciation by the Republic of South Korea to  service members in the Korean War.  It has been sixty years since the signing of the Armistice. Originally, one had to travel to South Korea through the Revisit Program to collect this special special memento.  That is no longer the case. (more…)

By LVMAC, ago

LVMAC Tidbit — Borinqueneer Gold Medal Ceremony

PABMC65th logoWe normally do not take note of or report on ceremonies outside the Lehigh Valley.  There are others who are more qualified to do so.  However, as one of our member organizations, the Borinqueneers 65th Motorcycle Club, Pennsylvania Chapter, was actively involved in securing the Congressional Gold Medal for the 65th Infantry Regiment — a labor requiring both persistence and devotion to doing the right thing — we thought you might like to know of an upcoming Philadelphia event. (more…)

By LVMAC, ago

Forward Observer — Vietnam War Commemorative Lapel Pins Available

But Who is Going to Distribute Them?

LVMAC Poster Art 2005Are you aware that as part of the 50th Anniversary Commemoration Program,  living veterans who served on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces at any time during the period of November 1, 1955 to May 15, 1975, regardless of the location at which they served, are eligible to receive a lapel pin?  The Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA) wants you to know.

The hitch is these lapel pins must be presented during public events held in their communities by Commemorative Partners (those organizations which signed up to conduct at least two commemorative events a year till 2018.  In the rare instance when an honoree cannot attend a public event, the pin may be presented during a private ceremony. (more…)

By LVMAC, ago