Lehigh Carbon Community College along with Lehigh and Carbon Offices of Veterans Affairs will host a free Veterans and Families Symposium on April 11 at the college's Lisa Scheller-Wayne Woodman Community Service Center at the main campus, 4525 Education Park Drive, Schnecksville.

"We hope that all area veterans attend the symposium with their families to learn about services that will benefit them, including educational options," said LCCC President Dr. Ann D. Bieber. "The college's Office of Veterans and Returning Adults is set up to help our veterans transition into college to earn a degree and to access all the services available to them."The one-day event will offer veteran-focused sessions such as understanding how to navigate benefits, educational opportunities and health care as well as additional breakout sessions.The symposium will close with an afternoon panel discussion. Participating sponsors will have resource tables and will include companies seeking veteran employees.Registration and a free continental breakfast will begin at 8 a.m. A formal opening ceremony will be held at 9 a.m. as U.S. Army veteran and CEO of First Generation William E. (Bill) Carmody will offer opening remarks as the keynote speaker.Lunch will be provided free of charge to attendees. The day will end with a roundtable discussion and question and answer session from 2 to 3 p.m. with various participants from the earlier breakout sessions."Veterans are one of our country's greatest assets. Their interests and needs vary just as much as their service does," said Lehigh County Executive Tom Muller. "This symposium will provide a broad range of information to our veterans, their families and all those who support our veterans. This partnership with LCCC, Lehigh County and Carbon County allows a one-stop event for every attendee to gather a wealth of information and resources regarding benefits, support and employment.""This Veterans and Families Symposium is what is needed by our veterans and their families. Veterans and families often do not know where to go for help, what is available to them and may not even know that they even need help. This symposium will provide our veterans and families with help restarting their education, dealing with the VA Health Care System, mental health, PTSD, VA benefits and employment to name a few. I hope that our veterans and families attend this session and if you know a veteran, I would ask that you encourage them to attend this very informative symposium," said Wayne E. Nothstein, Carbon County Commissioner.Preregistration is encouraged by calling the Lehigh County Office of Veterans Affairs at 610-782-3295, or by visiting

http://www.lccc.edu/vetevent2015 and registering online.A map of the LCCC campus, where free parking is available, can be found at

http://www.lccc.edu/directions. Visit LANTA's website for bus transportation options.