Governor LePage meets with veteran groups

AUGUSTA – Governor Paul LePage attended the Commanders Call Tuesday morning meeting with representatives from Maine’s veteran’s service organizations. The meeting is part of his ongoing effort to maintain an open channel of communication with these organizations.

The representatives meet regularly to discuss and address current issues and the needs of the Maine’s veterans’ population. The Governor said, “The feedback and guidance I get from this group is invaluable and I appreciate their open and honest dialogue. It is so critical that as Governor I know about the struggles facing Maine’s Veterans who have given so much.”

The Commanders Call is hosted by Maine Veterans Services and members meet with the Governor quarterly.

A reception will follow in the parish hall.

St. Mark’s Episcopal Church is located at 9 Summer Street in Augusta.

For More Information: 207-622-2424

(Central Maine Region – October 26, 2011) In honor of Veteran’s Day Spectrum Generations will be offering a FREE lunch to our local heroes at three of its Community Centers in Central Maine. Each location has planned a program to pay tribute to those who have served our country.  The meal will be free for Veterans, but all are welcome at a very reasonable fee for a first rate meal.

“This is a very special day for our veterans, and we are honored to be able to recognize our service men and women in this small way,” states Denver Brown, Spectrum Generations Nutrition Director.

The Coastal Community Center, 521 Main Street, Suite 8, Damariscotta, will be serving spaghetti with meatballs, shepherd’s pie, garden Salad and assorted desserts on Wednesday, November 9^th from 11:15am to 12:30pm.  Guest speaker: Leo Wysochansty, Author of Finding My Way to Freedom.  Call 563-1363 for more details and to make your reservation.

The Cohen Community Center, 22 Town Farm Road in Hallowell will be serving carved ham with country mustard, lemon butter fish, mashed potatoes, mixed veggies, garden salad and homemade bread pudding on Thursday, November 10^thfrom 11:00am to 12:30pm.  Guest speaker: Gerard Queally, Caption, US Navy Reserves.  Call 626-7777 for more information and to make your reservation.

The Muskie Community Center, 38 Gold Street, Waterville will be serving pot roast, mashed potatoes, mixed vegetables, garden salad and assorted desserts on Thursday, November 10^th from 11:30am to 1:00pm. Guest speaker: Lt. Colonel Diane Dunn, Maine National Guard.  Call 873-4745 for more information and to make your reservation.

Join us for an opportunity to enjoy a great meal in the company of good friends.

The public is invited to call the Agency’s Consumer Helpline at 1-800-639-1553.  The Agency’s web site is located at www.spectrumgenerations.org

Holly Couture
Public Ed Coordinator
Spectrum Generations
1-800-282-0764 ext. 146
TTY 1.800.464.8703
www.spectrumgenerations.org

We invite you to register and participate in this one-of-a-kind hiring event. The event is being held by the Maine State Chamber of Commerce and the Mid-Maine Chamber of Commerce with support from Hiring our Heroes, a U.S. Chamber of Commerce initiative, and other partners. This hiring event is open exclusively to veterans, military spouses, and employers eager to take advantage of this opportunity to hire high-caliber employees.

November 10, 2011
9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Augusta Civic Center
76 Community Drive
Augusta, ME 04330
United States

Click here to register.

About

In March of 2011, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce launched its Hiring our Heroes program, a year-long nationwide effort to help veterans and their spouses find meaningful employment. The Chamber started the program in partnership with theDepartment of Labor Veterans Employment and Training Service (DOL VETS), to improve public-private sector coordination in local communities, where veterans and their families are returning every day. Working with our extensive network of state and local chambers, DOL VETS, the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) and other strategic partners, we will do a better job of matching veteran talent with career opportunities in the private sector.

With a federation of 2,500 state and local chambers and industry associations spanning nearly every state and city and with more than three million business leaders to call on for grassroots advocacy, the Chamber has the infrastructure to lead a nationwide campaign to connect veterans and military spouses with employers.

There are four pillars of the Chamber’s Hiring our Heroes program. While the main focus of effort is on conducting 100 hiring fairs for veterans and military spouses in local communities across the country, we have also created strategic partnerships to deal with specific populations of veterans and their unique challenges in three other areas to include: aWounded Warrior Transition Assistance Program, a Student Veterans Internship and Employment Program, and a Women Veterans and Military Spouses Employment Program. Our aggressive agenda focuses on one measure of success—jobs for the one million unemployed veterans in America.

Follow this link to Hiring our Heroes latest newsletter:

https://www.uschamber.com/sites/default/files/hiring-our-heroes-newsletter-final.pdf

Hire a Veteran

Hire Heroes USA is excited to announce the launch of a new Job Board.

Thank you for your interest and ability to provide employment opportunities for veterans and transitioning service members. As our country continues to navigate through high unemployment rates and financial difficulties, it is paramount that we remember to make members of the armed services, who exercised their time, talents and energy to defend our freedoms, a priority in this economic climate.

What sets Hire Heroes USA apart from other military-based job boards is our personal approach to preparing veterans for the civilian job market through job search coaching and self-marketing skills. By facilitating a matching process through our online job forum that focuses on pairing a veteran’s career interests, qualifications and transferable skills, we are able to provide employers with quality, military-trained candidates that are prepared to speak  about the value they can add to your company.

Entering into partnership with Hire Heroes USA means that your company is dedicated to providing stable, family-wage opportunities to men and women who have honorably served our country.

Thank you for your consideration. We look forward to continuing to work with you to meet your human resource needs while making a positive impact on the veteran community by “creating the opportunity.”

Please review the Corporate Sponsorship Packages and find one that best fits your company’s Veteran-hiring needs, and download the Employer Job Board User Guide for your reference.

Additionally, if any Veteran that participates in our program receives an interview and/or job offer within your organization, or through the efforts of your organization’s recruiters, we ask to be informed of this occasion.

Questions? Please contact the Corporate Relations and Development Department at: (678) 323 – 2593.

We appreciate your patience and continued support as we improve our processes and deliver better results to businesses and veterans.

Federal and State Tax Credits for Hiring Veterans: Tax Credits Explained
Article: Employers Who Hire Veterans Get Tax Breaks

Small Business Tax Credits:

Are you entitled to a tax credit?

Are you a small business with gross receipts not exceeding $ 1 million dollars or staffing less than 30 full-time employees?  If so, did you know you are entitled to a tax credit for expenditures incurred while making your business accessible to individuals with disabilities.

(Title 26, IRS Code, Section 44). This tax credit is available to “eligible small businesses” in the amount of 50 percent of “eligible access expenditures” that exceed $250.00, but do not exceed $10,250.00 for a taxable year. This is a yearly tax credit depending on the eligible expenditures. Eligible access expenditures are the amounts paid or incurred by an eligible small business for the purpose of enabling the business to comply with the applicable requirements of the ADA.

These include amounts paid or incurred to:

-Provide qualified interpreters or other effective methods of making orally delivered materials available to individuals with hearing impairments,

-Remove architectural, communication, physical, or transportation barriers that prevent a business from being accessible to, or usable by, individuals with disabilities,

-Provide qualified readers, taped texts, and other effective methods of making materials accessible to people with visual impairments,

-Acquire or modify equipment or devices for individuals with disabilities, or

-Provide other similar services, modifications, materials, or equipment.

For a better understanding and more accurate advice, please consult your company’s tax attorney and also check into your specific state’s employment coordinators.

Reasons to Hire Vets

1. Accelerated Learning Curve.

Vets have the proven ability to quickly learn new skills and concepts.  They possess identifiable and transferable skills proven to achieve success.

2. Leadership.

Vets understand practical ways to manage and achieve goals even in the most trying circumstances.  They are trained to lead by example as well as through direction, delegation, motivation and inspiration.

3. Teamwork.

Vets understand how genuine teamwork grows out of a responsibility to one’s colleagues and how diverse individuals or groups can best work together to achieve overarching objectives.

4. Diversity and inclusion in action.

Vets have worked respectfully and cooperatively alongside others regardless of their race, ethnicity, gender, religion or mental or physical capabilities.

5. Efficient performance under pressure.

Vets have the capacity to know how to accomplish tasks on time and in spite of stress or adversity.  They understand the importance of dedication and perseverance.

6. Respect for procedures.

Vets have gained a unique perspective on the value of accountability.  They understand how policies and procedures yeild stability, safety and productivity.

7. Technology and globalization.

Vets are aware  of international and technical trends pertinent to business.  They bring the kind of global outlook and technological savvy necessary for success.

8. Integrity.

Vets know what it means to do “an honest day’s work.”  This integrity translates into qualities of sincerity and trustworthiness.

9. Conscious of health and safety standards.

Vets are cognizant of the importance of health and safety standards.  This conscientiousness translates into the protection of self, others and property.

10. Triumph over adversity.

Vets are individuals who have triumphed over adversity.  They have the proven ability to overcome challenges and obstacles through strength and determination.

76 Community Drive
Augusta, ME 04330
(207) 626-2405

Sunday, November 20 · 1:00pm – 5:00pm

Location

Lisa’s Restaurant & Lounge

Created By

Lisa Morang Wardwell

More Info

My way of saying THANK YOU to all those who have served this nation. I will be serving them a free Thanksgiving dinner. Must show military ID. Families welcome only $9.99 for general public. Reservations recommended call 621-0599

Lisa, Thank You on Behalf of All Who Served

George L. Tibbetts Jr., BM2
DaNang West Naval Security Intelligence Forces
Republic of Vietnam
1967-68

Thanks to all,

The officers an members of the American Legion Post #4 and V.F.W. Post #9 of Gardiner want to extend our sincere thanks to everyone who assisted or participated in our annual P.O.W.–M.I.A. program on Saturday September 24^th .

Our deep appreciation to Lt. Col. Dwaine Drummond for his assistance in planning our ceremony and his outstanding presentation as the keynote speaker. Thanks also to the Reverend Bill Wade for the opening and closing prayer to master of ceremonies Col. Bill Perry, to the Kennebec County Veterans Honor Guard for presenting the colors, to Gardiner Area High School students Julie Krouse and Matt Clark for the Pledge of Allegiance and National Anthem to the Farmingdale Fireman’s Association for providing their World Trade Center display, and to the members of Post #4 and Post #9 who prepared and served refreshments following our program.

A special thanks to the families of the four area service men who were presented State of Maine medals and citations for attending and participating in our program. It was truly and honor and privilege to recognize these outstanding men.

Finally to everyone who helped, participated or attended to help us “remember – and never forget”, our sincere thanks.

With best regards,

Jim Keenan, Commander
Smith Wiley American Legion, Post #4

Full Drive Band

Sunday, September 25 · 1:00pm – 6:00pm

Location

Waterville American Legion Post
21 College Avenue in Waterville Maine

Created By

Brian Danforth

More Info

Second annual Debbie Myers benefit show for the homeless vets special guests include but not limited to,The Higgins Family, Mainely Country, Fred Tommy Thompson, Brenda Millette, Bob Elston, Step in Time Cloggers, Chris Fyfe, Full Drive Band, Slim Andrews, Reverand Sutter and More.

For more info and tickets call Brian Danforth 314-0222

Date:

Subject: American Legion Post #4 and Veterans of foreign Wars Post #9 of Gardiner will present their annual P.O.W-M.I.A. Program at the American Legion Post

Where: American Legion Smith Wiley Post #4, 46 Griffin Start in Gardiner

Contact: Jim Keenan 582-6530, emailed by Nancy Barron nkbme@hotmail.com

Cost: Free and open to the public

On Saturday September 24^th American Legion Post #4 and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #9 of Gardiner will present their annual P.O.W-M.I.A. Program at the American Legion Post home at 46 Griffin Street in Gardiner. This important event is to remember and reaffirm our commitment to those Americans who are still unaccounted for from all wars and conflicts. There are 13 Maine members of the military still listed as P.O.W.-M.I.A. During the Vietnam era who’s names will be read along with their rank and hometown.

The ceremony will begin at 11:00a.m with the presentation of colors by the Kennebec County Veterans Honor Guard. Master of Ceremonies, Retired Colonel William Perry will introduce Lt. Co. Dwayne Drummond, keynote speaker and honored guests following the singing of the National Anthem and the recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance.

A “Table for One” display and the reading of the names of the 13 Maine P.O.W-M.I.A will be read. A special display of a metal girder from the World Trade Center in New York City will be provided by the Farmingdale Firemen’s Association for attendees to observe.

A special presentation of the State of Maine Military medals will be awarded to the families of several area veterans at the conclusion of the program by Lt. Col. Drummond.

This event is free and open to the public.

Believers Stand United

Hello BSU Family,

I’m writing you today as we again partner with the American Family Association. They recently brought to our attention the hostile and discriminatory actions by veterans officials in Houston, Texas, and this must stop now. The Department of Veterans Affairs and its local Houston director Arleen Ocasio are engaging in religious discrimination in violation of the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution and the Religious Freedom Act.

Ms. Occasio and her staff are being cited for the following violations:

**Forbidding the mention of God at funerals for veterans

**Requiring families to submit prayers for government approval prior to the funeral

**Instructing VFW District 4 and American Legion Post 586 to remove the words “God Bless” from condolence cards to grieving families

**Demanding that private funeral homes not present the option of public prayers to families

**Closing the Houston VA Chapel to use for storage

Let’s stand with veterans and their families today by sending an e-mail to Under Secretary of Veterans Affairs Steve L. Munro and demand that these policies be stopped and reversed immediately! He may be reached by phone at 202-461-6112 or by e-mail at steve.munro@va.gov

Thank you for making your voice heard!

Your partners,
Dr. Stephen and Kellie Swisher

Connect With Us

TOGUS NATIONAL CEMETERY

8 a.m. Wreath laying ceremony at Togus National Veterans Cemetery in Togus

MAINE VETERANS CEMETARY

A Memorial Day ceremony will be held at the Maine Veterans’ Memorial Cemetery on Mt. Vernon Rd. in Augusta at 2 p.m.

MAINE VETERANS MEMORIAL CEMETARY

A Wreath Laying ceremony will be held at the Maine Veterans’ Memorial Cemetery on Civic Center Dr. in Augusta at 12 p.m.

BELGRADE

A Memorial Day service is scheduled for 10 a.m., Monday at the Old Town House on Cemetery Road.

For more information, call the Town Office at 495-2258.

FARMINGDALE

A Memorial Day service will be held at 8 a.m. at the War Memorial next to the Town Office. The service is perform by American Legion Post 4 of Gardiner.

GARDINER

The Gardiner Memorial Day Parade begins at 10 a.m. at the armory on Brunswick Avenue and parades to the Gardiner Common.

HALLOWELL

A Memorial Day parade will form between 9:15 and 9:30 a.m. in the front of the American Legion Post Hall on Second Street. Refreshments will be offered afterward at the post hall.

LITCHFIELD

The Memorial Day Parade starts at 9 a.m. Monday at Litchfield Central Fire Station, Hallowell-Litchfield Road, and proceeds down Plains Road to the monument in Plains Cemetery. Military ceremonies are set for the monument.

The parade is sponsored by William R. Bold American Legion Post 181, and refreshments will be offered at the post after the parade.

MONMOUTH

American Legion Post 204 is sponsoring a Memorial Day parade and ceremony beginning at 9 a.m. Monday at the Community Church, North Monmouth. The parade will proceed to the veterans’ monument for a brief ceremony.

The parade will reconvene afterward at about 10:30 a.m. at Cumston Hall in Monmouth and proceed down Main Street to the veterans’ monument for services.

MOUNT VERNON

A two-town Memorial Day parade of units from Vienna and Mount Vernon begins Monday in Vienna village at 11 a.m., and travels to Mount Vernon Park in Mount Vernon village. There will be a ceremony at the park after the parade.

PALERMO

At 9 a.m., a wreath will be placed at veterans’ park. At 5 p.m., a musical at the Legion building starring Christa and Don Pauley and Tom Nickerson will feature music followed by a singalong, in celebration of American Legion Post 163.

RICHMOND

A Memorial Day parade celebrating the courage of members of the Richmond community who have died in service to the country will take place at 10:30 a.m. Monday. The parade begins at the Richmond High School entrance, following a route down Main Street to waterfront park for a memorial and dedication service.

Bowdoin College
Lamarche Gallery, David Saul Smith Union

Created By
Cerulean Fine Art Gallery, Aleana Chaplin

More Info

Six veteran artists present their work at an exhibition at the Lamarche Gallery in the David Saul Smith Union at Bowdoin College. Artist Talk at 3pm. Show runs until April 30. Sponsored by Togus Art Initiative and Cerulean Studios of Hallowell. Participating artists include: Terry Grasse, Aleana Chaplin, David McLeod, William S. Jackson, Neal Caron, and Michael McSweeney. Come see how our those who have served our country use art as a means of expression and as a profession.

SEE PHOTOS BELOW!

Background on Invasion of Pearl Harbor

On Sunday, December 7th, 1941 the Japanese launched a surprise attack against the U.S. Forces stationed at Pearl Harbor , Hawaii By planning this attack on a Sunday, the Japanese commander Admiral Nagumo, hoped to catch the entire fleet in port. As luck would have it, the Aircraft Carriers and one of the Battleships were not in port. The USS Enterprise was returning from Wake Island , where it had just delivered some aircraft. The USS Lexington was ferrying aircraft to Midway, and the USS Saratoga and USS Colorado were undergoing repairs in the United States.

In spite of the latest intelligence reports about the missing aircraft carriers (his most important targets), Admiral Nagumo decided to continue the attack with his force of six carriers and 423 aircraft. At a range of 230 miles north of  Oahu , he launched the first wave of a two-wave attack. Beginning at 0600 hours his first wave consisted of 183 fighters and torpedo bombers which struck at the fleet in Pearl Harbor and the airfields in Hickam,   Kaneohe and Ewa. The second strike, launched at 0715 hours, consisted of 167 aircraft, which again struck at the same targets.

At 0753 hours the first wave consisting of 40 Nakajima B5N2 ‘Kate’ ? torpedo bombers, 51 Aichi D3A1 ‘Val’ dive bombers, 50 high altitude bombers and 43 Zeros struck airfields and Pearl Harbor Within the next hour, the second wave arrived and continued the attack.

When it was over, the  U.S. Losses were:

Casualties

US Army: 218 KIA, 364 WIA.

US Navy: 2,008 KIA, 710 WIA.

US Marine Corp: 109 KIA, 69 WIA.

Civilians: 68 KIA, 35 WIA.

TOTAL: 2,403 KIA, 1,178 WIA.

————————————————-

Battleships

USS Arizona (BB-39) – total loss when a bomb hit her magazine.

USS Oklahoma (BB-37) – Total loss when she capsized and sunk in the harbor.

USS California (BB-4 4) – Sunk at her berth. Later raised and repaired.

USS West Virginia (BB-48) – Sunk at her berth. Later raised and repaired.

USS Nevada – (BB-36) Beached to prevent sinking. Later repaired.

USS Pennsylvania (BB-38) – Light damage.

USS Maryland (BB-46) – Light damage.

USS Tennessee (BB-43) Light damage.

USS Utah (AG-16) – (former battleship used as a target) – Sunk.

——————————————————————————————————————-

Cruisers

USS New Orleans (CA-32) – Light Damage..

USS San Francisco (CA-38) – Light Damage.

USS Detroit (CL-8) – Light Damage.

USS Raleigh (CL-7) – Heavily damaged but repaired.

USS Helena (CL-50) – Light Damage.

USS Honolulu (CL-48) – Light Damage..

——————————————————————————————————————–

Destroyers

USS Downes (DD-375) – Destroyed. Parts salvaged.

USS Cassin – (DD -3 7 2) Destroyed. Parts salvaged.

USS Shaw (DD-373) – Very heavy damage.

USS Helm (DD-388) – Light Damage.

———————————————————————————————————————

Minelayer

USS Ogala (CM-4) – Sunk but later raised and repaired.

———————————————————————————-

Seaplane Tender

USS Curtiss (AV-4) – Severely damaged but later repaired.

————————————————————————————

Repair Ship

USS Vestal (AR-4) – Severely damaged but later repaired.

————————————————————————————

Harbor Tug

USS Sotoyomo (YT-9) – Sunk but later raised and repaired.

——————————————————————————————–

Aircraft

188 Aircraft destroyed (92 USN and 92   U.S. Army Air Corps.)

Export to a calendar

Nov 9Tue 5:00 PM

Location

Maine Military Museum

50 Peary Terrace
South Portland, ME 04106

How to find us
“Name tag”

Who’s coming?

118 Members

32 spots left — RSVP deadline: November 8, 2010 11:00 PM

Who’s hosting?
Jeff Ball

This is a night you do not want to miss. We will honor our military but also have great food, patrotic music, cash bar, fellowship, and networking with 150+ others! Please bring your family & friends that have served in the US Military in some capacity. They will be honored this night. Please RSVP here on Facebook or at: www.MaineSuccessfulThinkers.org

We have some great special music planned, delicious food by CVC Catering…, Veterans & POWs as far back as WWII will be on site, and great networking.. FREE! for all registered guests. This will be in the new renovated ballroom…. awesome venue!

NOTE: Still a couple “Table vendor” spots…. great opportunity to get a little extra exposure for your business on the cheap!

1) Please invite your military family & friends! You will be glad you did! Have them RSVP here, www.MaineSuccessfulThinkers.org, or send a note to [masked]
Non-registered guests: $5 at door

2) Parking: Just before you get to building on left…. you may park on grass on left if parking lot is full.

3) Location: 50 Peary Terrace, South Portland This is behind the Portland Christian School (Large blue building on Boardway… about 1/2 mile east from “Cash Corner”(Main(Rt1)/Broadway).

Maine Military Museum: To learn more about the museum please contact Lee at: [masked] or 650-8651

******************

Successful Thinkers is a new, dynamic concept for individuals who want to be successful in every aspect of their lives.

We meet monthly in the southern Maine area averaging over 150 at each business to business networking meet-up! FREE to join as a member and to attend the monthly meet-ups.

High Tech meets High Touch! This group is benefiting the business community of southern Maine. We have an on-line community & also monthly mixers in the Portland, Maine area. Are you a successful thinker? You may start a Successful Thinkers group in your area of Maine or your area of influence.

*Note the address. This is the new Annex attached to the VFW just off of Broadway behing the Portland Christian School (Not the small stone building in Mill Creek).

Talk about this Meetup

• Join this Meetup to participate in this discussion.
• Brian EllisJeff, thanks for putting this one together. Veterans day is one of my favorite holiday’s to celebrate. See you tomorrow!Posted Nov 8, 2010 10:40 AM
• Jef BallParking: Just before you get to VFW/Museum on your left…. parking on grass is available…just before the cannons.Posted Nov 8, 2010 8:48 AM
• Jeff BallTomorrow is the Meetup at the Maine Military Museum, South Portland!Posted Nov 8, 2010 7:32 AM
• Jeff BallA Veteran is someone, who at one point in their life, wrote a blank check payable to the United States of America for an amount up to, and including, their life. That is beyond honor, and there are way too many people in this country who no longer remember that fact. Copy and paste…this as your status if you are a Veteran, know a Veteran, Love a Veteran or support the Troops….
  Jake Mulligan

  Posted Nov 6, 2010 10:40 AM

• Jeff BallCVC Catering will have a “Mashed potato bar with choices of gravy, beef tips and mushroom medley as toppings!” Sound like fun!Posted Nov 5, 2010 10:51 AM
• Jeff BallSee you next Tuesday at one of my favorite Meetups of the year! Maine Military Museum…. we will meet in the new ballroom. Invite your military family, friends, and neighbors! Ginger Leigh Smith will have a great patriotic song or 2 for us, CVC Catering Group will have outstanding food, EMB Productions providing music, have 1-2 more spots for vendors, 50/50 for the museum, our own Advisory Board Member Kelly Mank will share some networking etiquette, and 150+ great folks to network with!Posted Nov 1, 2010 10:29 PM

Choice – The Greatest Freedom of All

Contributed by Kristin Overton, Spectrum Generations

The healthcare paradigm is shifting and self direction is the model to look for – and what every health system should strive to achieve.  It is how long term care is evolving.  Currently most long-term care benefits are on an as-needed basis, pieced together based on separate eligibility requirements, and sometimes with several different funding sources.

True self-direction, also called consumer direction or participant direction, is a revolutionary way of thinking.  The intention is to maintain a person’s lifestyle at home and in their community rather than relying so heavily on nursing facility care.  This movement offers a choice and an empowerment; a trust, respect, and understanding that each individual knows their unique circumstances intimately and therefore is the most qualified person to provide the ultimate judgment of their needs.

How it works is this – a funding source provides a monthly allotment of funds to be budgeted to pay for services that directly relate to each specific person’s care.  For example, one person may choose to hire their neighbor for housekeeping services, and a grandchild for personal hygiene.  Other items purchased may be snow removal and lawn care, several days at an adult day program, and transportation to get to the grocery store.  In our current system, unless that same person could pay privately for these services, that person would only be able to have an allotted amount of adult daycare services and personal care hours which would include housekeeping, and would not be able to choose their provider or the caregiver.  Lawn care, snow removal, and transportation would not be services that would be covered at all.

Leading this movement locally is the Togus Veterans’ Administration Medical Center in partnership with Spectrum Generations, the Central Maine Area Agency on Aging.  The program is known state-wide as Veterans Independence Program, or VIP.  Once a Veteran has been deemed eligible, the Veteran is able to access their allotted funds with the support of a Care Advisor through Spectrum Generations.  The Veteran makes their own choices regarding the program; however Spectrum Generations acts as the go-between, paying the invoices and workers wages and providing expertise on available services in the Veteran’s community.

The VIP program is ideal for Veterans who wish to stay in their own home but need additional supports in order to do so.  Spectrum Generations is currently referring Veterans, so if you or a loved one may benefit from this program, you are urged to call us today.

For more information about the VIP program, or if you have interest in the program for yourself or a loved one, call Spectrum Generation’s at 1-800-639-1553 – or visit us online at www.spectrumgenerations.org.

National Veterans for Peace Convention: “ Lifting the Fog of War”

National keynote speakers, Terry Tempest Williams and Rep. Bob Filner (Chair of the House Veterans Affairs Committee), and a number of other interesting Maine-based speakers.

About Veterans for Peace

We, having dutifully served our nation, do hereby affirm our greater responsibility to serve the cause of world peace. To this end we will work, with others

(a) To increase public awareness of the costs of war
(b) To restrain our government from intervening, overtly and covertly, in the internal affairs of other nations
(c) To end the arms race and to reduce and eventually eliminate nuclear weapons
(d) To seek justice for veterans and victims of war
(e) To abolish war as an instrument of national policy.

“The war against Iraq is as disastrous as it is unnecessary; perhaps in terms of its wisdom, purpose and motives, the worst war in American history…. Our military men and women…were not called to defend America but rather to attack Iraq. They were not called to die for, but rather to kill for, their country. What more unpatriotic thing could we have asked of our sons and daughters…?” — William Sloane Coffin

Veterans For Peace – William Ladd Chapter
P.O. Box 10, Deer Isle, ME 04627
207-409-7432

Event to be held at:

First Parish Unitarian Universalist Church
425 Congress Street
Portland, ME 04101-3505
(207) 773-5747

Get directions – Is this accurate?

I’m sick of the news coverage being given to a spoiled 20 year old!

Here are a few 20 year olds worth knowing about:

Justin Allen 23
Brett Linley 29
Matthew Weikert 29
Justus Bartett 27
Dave Santos 21
Chase Stanley 21
Jesse Reed 26
Matthew King 23
Christopher Goeke 23
Sheldon Tate 27

These 20-something year olds gave their lives for you this week!

The free admission program is available to any bearer of a Geneva Convention common access card (CAC), a DD Form 1173 ID card, or a DD Form 1173-1 ID card, which includes active duty military (Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard), National Guard and Reserve members, and up to five immediate family members.

Blue Star Families will enjoy the following summer exhibitions at the Portland Museum of Art:American Moderns: Masterworks on Paper from the Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art, 1910–1960 (June 24 through September 12); Winslow Homer and the Poetics of Place (through September 6); Division and Discovery: Recent Work by Frederick Lynch (through July 11); andAnna Hepler: Makeshift (July 24 through October 12).

For a list of Blue Star Museums participating in this program, visitwww.arts.gov/bluestarmuseums. For more information about the Portland Museum of Art, visitwww.portlandmuseum.org.

About Blue Star Families

Blue Star Families is a national, non-partisan, non-profit network of military families from all ranks and services including guard and reserve, with a mission to support, connect and empower military families. In addition to morale and empowerment programs, Blue Star Families raises awareness of the challenges and strengths of military family life with civilian community and leaders. Membership includes spouses, kids, parents, service members, veterans and civilians.Operation Appreciation is an initiative of Blue Star Families that seeks to connect military families to the larger community. Blue Star Families 2009 annual survey shows that 94 percent of military families feel that the larger community doesn’t truly understand or appreciate the sacrifices we make for the country. Through initiatives such as Blue Star Museums, Blue Star Families provides avenues for the larger community to show that they do understand, in meaningful ways that enrich the lives of military service members, spouses, children and parents. For more information, please visit www.BlueStarFam.org.

About the National Endowment for the Arts

The NEA is a public agency dedicated to supporting excellence in the arts—both new and established—bringing the arts to all Americans, and providing leadership in arts education. Established by Congress in 1965 as an independent agency of the federal government, the Arts Endowment is the largest annual national funder of the arts, bringing great art to all 50 states, including rural areas, inner cities, and military bases. For more information, please visitwww.arts.gov.

MUSEUM INFORMATION

The Portland Museum of Art, Maine’s largest art museum, showcases fine and decorative arts from the 18th century to the present. From Winslow Homer and Andrew Wyeth to Pablo Picasso and Claude Monet, the Museum features three centuries of art and architecture. The Museum is located at Seven Congress Square in downtown Portland. Hours are: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday, and 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Friday. Memorial Day through Columbus Day, the Museum is open on Mondays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Museum admission is $10 for adults, $8 for seniors and students with I.D., $4 for youth ages 6 to 17, and children under 6 are free. The Museum is free on Friday evenings from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., made possible through the generous support of L.L.Bean and Patricia and Cyrus Hagge. No admission is required to visit the Museum Café and Store. For more information, call (207) 775-6148 or visit portlandmuseum.org

In honor of our Veterans & their families

The general public and in honor of the Spirits of the Elders, are invited to an Intertribal Pow Wow.

This event will be held on Saturday June 19th & Sunday June 20th

Location:

Togus VA Center located on Rt 17, 4 miles east of Augusta Maine.

Come join us

Saturday 9am – 5pm

Sunday 9am – 4pm.

Grand Entry is at 12noon both days.

Honored Elder – Arnie Neptune

Host Drum: Red Hawk Medicine Drum

- Guest Drums -

L’Enspirit Des Vents

Sacred Spirits Drum

2 Feathers

Calling of the Drums will be held at 11:15am

Come listen to these performers

Flute Playing

Storytelling at 10am & 2pm by the tipee

Demonstrations are as follows:

Basketry – Ash Pounding

Dance Demonstrations

Jingle Dress Medicine Dance

Fancy Shawl

Grass Dancers

Night Dancing

7pm-10pm

featuring

The Silver Hawk Singers

Due to federal regulations regarding the VA property, there are No Dogs Allowed.
Only Service Dogs are allowed on the grounds

No Drugs or Alcohol Allowed

Attention all Venders and Volunteers..  We can not be on the grounds til 1 pm to start setting up on Friday June 18th. Please do not arrive before then.

There will be a Silent Auction. ALL proceeds to benefit our Togus Veterans. Help us to honor them, for without them, we would not have the freedom we have come to know and love.

If interested in vending contact Doris @ddnbaskets

If intrested in volunteering contact Phyllis @ phyllis141@yahoo.com

All other questions & donations please email Ellie @ deepquietspirit

Sponsored by Elder Spirit and the American Legion 205

In places where most people don’t go, soldiers do because they were told. Such is the way of war because soldiers respond to a nation’s call.

They do so because they must.
The nation, after all, passes on to them all their trust.

Since the time our flag was first raised high,
the soldier answered the call knowing all too well
that many will die.

There is no explaining mixed emotions to untrained minds, so
soldiers learn and come to rely on only their comrades through
so many days of trying times.

No letters home to sisters and brothers.
No fears confessed to mothers and fathers.

You hope to protect a nation from harm.
You’re willing to die if dying you must.

This is my story and by now it has been already told.
Forty years have passed now, yet a chill remains
deep in my soul.

Today, I see young soldiers doing as they are asked.
They respond to the call as the cycle continues.
Men and women; soldiers caught in the middle.

This Memorial Day I ask that you not forget the past.
Remember those soldiers who now lay at rest.
And remember those who made the ultimate
sacrifice while doing their best.

In the future my hope is that peacemakers go.
I pray for sanity and peace as soldiers stay home.

On Memorial Day flags and wreaths are placed at tombstones
and monuments across this great land. Thousands and
thousands of people remember silently while next to
them they stand.

I hope that my message from soldiers is clear.
As a proud nation we will always answer the call.
But what we don’t need in Washington is
another soldier’s wall.

PEACE

213 Capitol Street,
Augusta, Maine
(207) 622-2194
Directions and more »

Time: 1:00PM Saturday, April 10th.

About the Maine Survivor Outreach Service

“Embracing and reassuring Survivors that they are continually linked to the Army Family through a unified support program that enables them to remain an important part of the Army for as long as they desire.”

“Never Forgotten, Never Alone”

Office:
Camp Keyes
Augusta, Maine 04333

Phone:207-626-4401