A message from the Maine Bureau of Veterans' Services
 |
|
|
|
|
Vietnam Veteran Recognition Ceremony
Do you know a Vietnam Veteran who should be recognized for their service to our state and country?
Join the Maine Bureau of Veterans' Services on Friday, March 27th as we publicly honor the sacrifices made by our servicemen and women.
All Vietnam Veterans who register will receive a Certificate of Appreciation and Challenge Coin from the State of Maine.
The recognition ceremony is FREE and open to any veteran, family member or friend interested in attending.
To register, please visit: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/national-vietnam-war-veterans-day-tickets-91050688059
2020 Disabled Veterans Controlled Moose Hunt Applications Now Available
On March 1st, the Maine Bureau of Veterans’ Services (MBVS) will begin accepting applications for the 2020 Disabled Veterans Controlled Moose Hunt held in Aroostook County.
MBVS Director, David Richmond shared the following in regard to the importance of the hunt. “At the Bureau, we’ve had the privilege of working with thousands of veterans from across Maine and the country. We assist veterans during each stage of their transition from military service to civilian life, and one of the most popular services we help connect veterans to is the Disabled Veterans Controlled Moose Hunt. It’s a unique form of recreational therapy for many of the veterans involved and the long-term benefits from this outdoor activity are immeasurable.”
Since the program’s inception in 2010, MBVS has partnered with the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife (IF&W) and Smoldering Lake Outfitters to issue hunting permits and essential equipment to participating veterans. The hunt, which is entirely free for selected veterans, costs roughly $50,000 to administer. Costs associated with the hunt include guiding services, essential adaptive equipment, meat processing and travel and lodging.
For those who served in the military, no matter the branch, you understand the importance of community. That need for communal support doesn’t go away when you leave service – and we take pride in knowing that Mainers have stepped up to provide collaborative advocacy for our service members. The Disabled Veterans Controlled Moose Hunt offers our veterans an opportunity to gain comradery, confidence, and support from fellow veterans who have gone through similar struggles. In fact, veterans who have participated repeatedly share with us the value of the program as well as the significant impact it has had on their lives.
Scott Brown, United States Air Force veteran and selected hunter told us the experience he had while hunting in Aroostook County was a once in a lifetime opportunity. “During that one week in The County I quickly realized this event is not about filling a freezer but community, team building and being able to share our experiences with those who understand our unique spin on the world. It was truly a bucket list event and I am so very thankful for the opportunity.”
Unlike the regular IF&W moose lottery, the Disabled Veterans Controlled Moose Lottery is limited to only those veterans with a disability rating of at least 50%. Each hunter is required to team up with a registered Maine Guide who has specific training for the hunt, and if a veteran has ever tagged a moose through the program, that veteran is ineligible to hunt again.
Applications will be accepted starting March 1st and must be submitted to the Maine Bureau of Veterans’ Services by 4:00PM on Friday, May 1st. Applications can be downloaded from the Bureau’s website: http://maine.gov/veterans/benefits/recreational-licenses/veterans-moose-lottery.html. Results of the lottery will be posted no earlier than Friday, May 29th.
For more information about the Maine Bureau of Veterans’ Services and the Disabled Veterans Controlled Moose Hunt, please visit: http://maine.gov/veterans/ or call 207-430-6035.
Women Veteran's Luncheon
On Saturday, March 28th, the Women Veteran's Advisory Committee Department of Maine American Legion will be hosting a Women Veteran's Luncheon at American Legion Post 181 in Litchfield, Maine.
The luncheon is FREE and open to ALL women veterans. You do not have to be a member of the American Legion to attend.
To RSVP, please contact Debra Couture at 207-582-3897 or mewomenvets@gmail.com.
Please RSVP by March 24th!
.jpg "Women_Vets_Appreciation_Day_3_28_2020_(004).jpg")
283 Veterans Hired During the 2019
Maine Hire-A-Vet Campaign
Final results are in, and a total of 283 veterans were hired during the 2019 Maine Hire-A-Vet Campaign!
The Maine Hire-A-Vet campaign provides support for employers to expand the hiring of veterans through a network of state and federal agencies, resources and nonprofits, education on military language and culture, recruiting and hiring assistance, and recognition for the hiring and advancement of veterans and military family members.
The 2019 campaign kicked off on August 29 with a hiring fair at the Augusta Civic Center, officially started on Labor Day, and ended on December 9.
The average hourly wage of veterans hired was $22.78, and 254 employers signed on to the campaign. Every county in the state had veteran hires in them. Participating employers also sent 175 staff members to a "Veteran Hiring for Employers" training, which provides a Basic Training approach to aid businesses in recruiting, hiring and retaining veterans.
Veterans have received valuable training during their military service that can transfer to in-demand civilian skills, said Labor Commissioner Laura Fortman. The Maine Hire-A-Vet Campaign helps connect veterans with employers, and employers with the skilled workforce they are looking for.
The 11 businesses that had the most hires during the 2019 campaign were Bath Iron Works/General Dynamics, Northern Light Health, VA Togus -Veterans Health Administration (VHA) and Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA), the State of Maine, Dead River Company, Tilson, City of Portland, Casella Waste Systems, Helical Solutions, Maine Veterans Homes, and Estes Oil.
2019 campaign sponsors included: Destination Occupation, Mix Maine Media, Pleasant River Lumber Co., Maine Department of Corrections, Bath Iron Works, Fiber Materials Inc., Darling's, Adecco, and the city of Augusta.
During the 2018 Maine Hire-A-Vet Campaign, 191 employers participated, and 286 veterans and military family members were hired.
The campaign has connected nearly 900 employers with over 1,300 veteran-hires since its inception in 2015 and has been recognized as a best practice by the United States Department of Labor (USDOL) and the National Association of State Workforce Agencies (NASWA).
The Maine Hire-A-Vet Campaign is a partnership between the Maine Department of Labor and its CareerCenters, Boots2Roots, Easter Seals and their Veterans Count program, the Maine National Guard Employment Support Program, Maine Bureau of Veterans Services, Transition Assistance Advisors, VA Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment, and State Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment.
Learn more at www.mainecareercenter.gov/hireavet.shtml, and follow the campaign on Facebook at www.facebook.com/mainehireavet.
Veterans, military family members and civilians seeking assistance in job search and training are encouraged to contact their closest Maine CareerCenter, which can be found online at www.mainecareercenter.gov/locations. Veterans Representatives and Career Counselors are available at each location.
The Maine Department of Labor and Maine CareerCenters are equal opportunity providers. Auxiliary aids and services are available to individuals with disabilities upon request.
Story written by Jessica Picard, Maine Department of Labor
|
|
What's Happening
What: Female Veteran Support Group
Where: Unitarian Universalist Community Church, 69 Winthrop Street, Augusta
When: Tuesday, March 10th at 6:30PM and continuing on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of each month.
For more information contact jamie.b.wise@gmail.com or martha@barhh.org
What: Veteran Homelessness in Maine
Where: USM L/A Campus
When: Wednesday, March 11th
To Register call 207-576-0376 or email JDEWITT@TCMHS.ORG
What: 2020 Pre-Retirement Seminar For Military Personnel
Where: Bangor Hilton Garden Inn
When: Thursday, March 12th at 6:00PM
For more information or to register, please contact Wendy Moody at 207-430-5778 or via e-mail at wendy.j.moody2.ctr@mail.mil.
What: 2020 Pre-Retirement Seminar For Military Personnel
Where: Senator Inn, Augusta
When: Wednesday, March 25th at 6:00PM
For more information or to register, please contact Wendy Moody at 207-430-5778 or via e-mail at wendy.j.moody2.ctr@mail.mil.
What: Beyond The Basics 2020 - Suicide Prevention
Where: Augusta Civic Center
When: Friday, April 10th
Registration: https://www.namimaine.org/events/EventDetails.aspx?id=1253981
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|