Benefits Resources Veterans' Recognition Events

Office Locations

Bangor Office
 35 State Hospital Drive
Bangor, ME 04401
207-941-3005

Caribou Office
 14 Access Highway, Suite 5
Caribou, ME 04736
207-492-1173

Lewiston Office
 35 Westminster Street
Lewiston, ME 04240
207-783-5306

Machias Office
 7 Court Street, Suite 2
Machias, ME 04654
207-255-3306

South Portland Office
 151 Jetport Boulevard, Room 138W
South Portland, ME 04106
207-822-2391

Springvale Office
 628 Main Street
Springvale, ME 04083
207-324-1839

Togus Office
 Veterans Administration Center
Building 248, Room 110
Togus, ME 04330
207-623-8411 ext. 5228

Maine Honorable Service Coin and Plaque

The Maine Bureau of Veterans’ Services (MBVS) is pleased to announce the final design selection for the new State of Maine Honorable Service Coin and Plaque, which will honor all Maine veterans, past and present, regardless of their branch or era of service. The winning design was submitted by Georgette L. Kanach of Gray, Maine, who’s design was chosen by popular vote of more than 1,200 Maine veterans.  

“The creativity, artistic talent, patriotism and compassion for our Veterans was evident in all of the submitted designs, but ultimately, only one could be chosen,” said David Richmond, acting director of the Maine Bureau of Veterans’ Services. “On behalf of the Artist Selection Committee and the state of Maine, I extend my congratulations to Ms. Georgette Kanach and thank all of the artists for their lending their time and talent to honoring our Veterans.”

As many other Maine veterans have served during peacetime and in conflicts other than WWII, Korea and Vietnam, the Honorable Service Coin was commissioned to honor those veterans who would otherwise not be eligible to receive one of the four previously existing coins. A matching plaque will also be hung in the Hall of Flags at the State House in Augusta. A formal unveiling ceremony for the Honorable Service Coin and Plaque will be announced.

Go to the MBVS website https://www.maine.gov/veterans/recognition/programs/index.html to see the other aspects of our Veterans' Recognition Programs.
Women Veterans
Memorial Challenge 
The Maine Bureau of Veterans’ Services (MBVS) is partnering with Joy Asuncion, Maine’s Ambassador for the Women in Military Service for America Memorial Foundation (Women’s Memorial) for the first “Maine Women Veterans Memorial Challenge.” The Challenge is a statewide, community-led drive to register all eligible women veterans from the state of Maine, past or present, for recognition on the Women’s Memorial at Arlington National Cemetery in Washington, D.C.

The Women’s Memorial is the only major national memorial honoring all women who have defended America throughout history. The Women’s Memorial was founded in 1997 and currently has 266,000 female veterans registered out of the three million women who have served or are serving in the U.S. Armed Forces, starting with the American Revolution.

The Maine Women Veterans Memorial Challenge aims to engage local communities throughout the state in friendly competition to register every known Maine woman veteran, past or present. Registration is free and may be completed online at www.womensmemorial.org. Those without internet access can register via paper forms, which may be requested by contacting Joy Asuncion at 207-930-5640 or joyasuncion@roadrunner.com.

“We’ve had a lot of success registering female veterans from the Boothbay peninsula, and with the Bureau’s support we can now scale this initiative throughout the state in 2019, with one town challenging another to get every female veteran registered,” said Sherman. “We are asking cities and towns, Veterans’ organizations, historical societies and libraries,schools and everyone in between to help us spread the word and record a vital part of Maine’s and our nation’s history while honoring the women who have served our country with pride and patriotism.”

Women veterans are also encouraged to join the Maine Women Veterans Facebook Group, where they can meet and connect with one another. As this is a closed group, those who wish to participate must submit a request to join (link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1646182765662275/).

Homeless Veterans
Coordinator Hired

The Maine Bureau of Veterans’ Services (MBVS) is pleased to announce Jarad Greeley, a native of Jay, Maine, has joined the Bureau as the Homeless Veterans Coordinator.

Greeley comes to MBVS after serving in the U.S. Army as a Forward Observer with the 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment from 2004 through 2008, which included one tour in Iraq. Upon his discharge he decided to not only do something for himself, but wanted to raise awareness about homeless veterans in the State of Maine, so with the sponsorship of VFW Post 3335 in Jay, ME, he set out on the Appalachian Trail, hiking from Springer Mountain in Georgia to Mount Katahdin in Maine. In May of 2018, Greeley earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Sustainable Energy Management at Unity College and then came on board at MBVS as the Homeless Veterans Coordinator. 

“Jarad has really hit the ground running. In his short time with us, he has already made a positive impact for homeless veterans,” said Acting Director David A. Richmond of the Maine Bureau of Veterans’ Services. “He is an excellent advocate, and is tenacious in removing individual barriers that are preventing veterans from obtaining safe and adequate housing. We are very fortunate to have him on our team.”

When asked about his specific mission Greeley said, "I'm the conduit between homeless veterans and the services that are available to them. I help them make connections and believe that it is making a real difference in their lives. I have been given the latitude to travel throughout the state to aid and assist homeless veterans wherever they are and this ‘Boots on the Ground’ approach is a step in the right direction to end veteran homelessness in the State of Maine.”

If you are a homeless veteran or are aware of one in your community, contact Jarad Greeley at 207-430-6036 (office), 207-699-7186 (cell) or email jarad.greeley@maine.gov. The Homeless Veterans Coordinator is able to assist with shelter, food, winter jackets, and the re-issue of identification materials. Access to medical, mental health, and substance abuse services through the VA at Togus and other agencies – Easter Seals, Preble Street, Veterans, Inc., and Vet Centers throughout the State of Maine. Referrals for job re-retraining and Pine Tree Legal for free legal assistance, general assistance, social services, and communicating with local VFW’s and American Legion’s where the homeless Veteran has been identified.  

Honor Flight Maine is
Looking for WWII Veterans

Honor Flight Maine is actively searching for Maine's WWII Veterans who would like to participate in a free trip to our Nation's Capital. This is a great opportunity to visit and reflect at the Memorials built in their honor and to pay tribute to their comrades who made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedoms. Any honorably discharged Veteran can apply.

The first flight of 2019 is scheduled for April 26-28 with additional trips planned in June, September and October. All Veterans, as described above, are encouraged to submit applications as soon as possible. For more information go to www.honorflightmaine.org or email MaineHonorFlight@gmail.com to request an application be mailed to you or call 207-370-7210. Mail completed applications to Honor Flight Maine, P.O. Box 1770, Portland, ME 04101-1770.

What's Going On

What: Point in Time Count to Identify Homeless residents (including Veterans).

Where: Statewide

When: January 22, 2109

FMI: Call Janice Lara-Hewey at 207-272-9210 or Jerry Dewitt at 207-576-0376.


What: VA Town Hall

Where: American Legion Post #24 in Rumford, ME

When: February 13, 2019 at 5:00 p.m.

What: 2019 Veterans Creative Arts Competition at VA Maine Healthcare System

Where: VA Theater, Building 210

When: February 27, 2109

FMI: Call Liz Marrone at 207-623-8411 ext. 5371 or Courtney Oliver at 207-623-8411 ext. 4589.


What: Vets in the Valley

Where: Lost Valley Ski Area

When: Saturday, February 9th - 9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.

All veterans get free lift tickets for themselves and immediate family, free equipment rental for vets, and 50% off for their immediate family (Proof of veteran status must be presented to receive offer).
Ski from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and there will be live music by John Hasnip  from 3:00 - 6 p.m. in the Lost Valley Brewing Company Bar area.


    
 

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