Veterans, Servicemembers, and Family Expo

The Maine Bureau of Veterans' Services participated in the Veterans and Family Indoor Expo in Bangor on Saturday, February 25 at the Anah Shrine which was sponsored by the Masons, Bethlehem Lodge #35.

The Veterans Benefits Administration, Veterans Health Administration, and over 30 veteran-centric organizations were on hand to provide information on the PACT Act, state and federal benefits, and connection to organizations that provide alternative forms of Post Traumatic Stress Therapy - hunting, fishing, and outdoor adventures. 

The event was a great success with over 200 veterans and their families in attendance, a free lunch was served, live music performed, and door prizes were awarded. 

Maine Team Attends Governor's Challenge Implementation Academy

The Maine Bureau of Veterans' Services and Team Maine were well represented at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs/SAMHSA Governor’s Challenge Implementation Academy.

Through this effort our team has been working to support the implementation of a public health approach for the prevention of suicide among service members, veterans, and their families.

As part of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs/SAMHSA Governor’s Challenge Implementation Academy,  the Maine Bureau of Veterans’ Services (MBVS)  traveled to Washington, D.C. 

Maine’s Team was represented by MBVS, the Department of Labor, the VA’s Veterans’ Benefits and Health Administration, Wabanaki Public Health & Wellness, Maine’s Vet Centers, and the state’s crisis system. Along with its counterparts from Vermont, Indiana, Nebraska, Puerto Rico, and American Samoa, Maine worked on honing the next three phases of their Service Member, Veterans, and Family suicide prevention plan.

Maine’s Team focus for 2023, is to create a program with walk-in clinics to help identify veterans and provide a warm hand off to veterans’ services, to conduct more veterans’ expos across the state, and to create a program in partnership with gun shops to provide non-judgmental, safe storage options for veterans and their firearms (a program that is already established and running smoothly in Wisconsin). The Academy also provide the opportunity to learn best practices from other states and to ask industry experts questions and seek advise on programing. 

Three-Day Mobile Dental Clinic Held in Machias 

The Maine Bureau of Veterans' Services in partnership with the Maine Veterans' Homes (Machias) and Mainely Teeth ran a successful three-day mobile dental clinic in Machias on April 20, 21, and 22. 

During the three-day visit, intake paperwork was completed, veterans received oral health screenings, x-rays were taken, and cleanings were provided. By utilizing tele-dentistry, a dentist in Portland reviewed each patient and a treatment plan will be created for the clinic’s return visits.  Amber Lombardi, founder of Mainely Teeth and her husband, Michael Lombardi, worked together with Lisa King (Maine Veterans’ Home  - Machias), and Sarah Sherman (MBVS), to provide exceptional care for 24 veterans and will return in April and June for follow up care bringing a dentist with them who specializes in extractions and a second dentist who specializes in dentures. 

This mobile pilot project is occurring due to the generosity of Northeast Delta Dental’s grant and their encouragement to expand the ways oral health services can be provided to Maine’s veterans.

Applications for the Maine Disabled Veterans’ Controlled Moose Hunt Have Opened

As of March 8th, the application for the annual Maine Disabled Veterans’ Controlled Moose Hunt is now available on the Maine Bureau of Veterans’ Services website – https://www.maine.gov/veterans/benefits/recreational-licenses/veterans-moose-lottery.html.

The Maine Disabled Veterans’ Moose Hunt is a unique program that was created in 2010 and allows veterans the opportunity to assist in mitigation of a wildlife conflict in several fresh produce crops.  The hunt is a partnership between Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife (IF&W), Maine Bureau of Veterans’ Services, and Smoldering Lake Outfitters.

IF&W created the five-week window for a controlled moose hunt in Central Aroostook County. Though the initial purpose was to assist farmers, who lose their crops to wildlife depredation by the largest member of the deer family, it also offers support to military veterans through an opportunity for a controlled hunt that allows for peer-networking and the ability to enjoy the Northern Maine outdoors in a safe comfortable setting.

Unlike the IF&W moose lottery, the Disabled Veterans’ Controlled Moose Hunt lottery is limited to veterans who have a VA disability rating of at least 50% or higher and have either completed hunter safety or a hold Maine hunting license. Upon arrival at the camp in the County, veterans are housed, fed, equipped with adaptive gear, and provided guiding services at no cost to the veteran. Meat processing is arranged for those who are successful.  If a veteran has already tagged a moose through this program, that veteran is ineligible to participate in the program again.

“The Disabled Veterans’ Controlled Moose Hunt provides an adaptive outdoor experience that allows veterans to build comradery within their hunting group of veterans and guides, which has proven to be incredibly valuable for all who have participated,” said David Richmond, Director of the Maine Bureau of Veterans’ Services.

The number of available permits this year is dependent upon funding and sponsorship. Money for the hunt that is raised within Maine will cover the expenses for Maine residents and non-resident hunters are covered by out of state veteran organizations.  This is only possible through the generosity of supporting businesses and individuals.  The Veterans Afield Foundation 501c(3) will accept tax deductible donations, dedicated to the Maine Disabled Veterans’ Moose Hunt.  If you are interested in supporting this program you may do so via check to The Veterans Afield Foundation, 129 Snow Rd., Bridgewater Maine 04735 or via credit card on the VAF web site. www.veteransafieldfoundation.org 

For more information about the hunt, please reach out: www.maine.gov/veterans or contact the Bureau at 207-287-7020 or mainebvs@maine.gov

Vets in the Valley - March 18th

All military veterans, active duty and reserve guard members and their families are invited to Lost Valley in Auburn to ski and snowboard free! All military veterans, regardless of the length of service, receive a free lift ticket that day for themselves and immediate family (dependents).

This event offers half price learn to ski and snowboard lessons to veterans and their families. This is for first time learn to ski or snowboard lessons. They must be reserved in advance go to https://www.lostvalleyski.com/lessons/lts-ltr/ and use promo code VetsInValley. Proof of veteran status will be required at time of check in and code is good for lessons on this day only. 

Ski & Snowboard rental equipment is available for purchase at a special discounted Military rate of $33 (reg $49) for all vets and their dependents. Reserve gear in advance online at https://www.lostvalleyski.com/rentals/

• Ski/Snowboard: 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
• Veterans Orgs on Site 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
• Live Music in Pub: 2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Meet and greet with veterans agencies including: Maine Bureau of Veterans' Services, Career Center Veteran Services, Veterans Inc., Gold Star Mothers, Vet Center Lewiston, Tri-County Mental Health Services and many more. 

The Maine Family Snow Tube Park will most likely be open an tickets are $19/pp and must be reserved in advance online. View Tubing info at https://www.lostvalleyski.com/activities-sports/tubing/. Free Appetizer Buffet sponsored by Miller Lite, while Supplies last 3:00 - 4:00 p.m. in the Brookside Room.

Note: Participants must show proof of veteran status to receive these offers. Veteran’s immediate family specifically means: Veteran plus spouse and/or dependents.

Upcoming Events: 

March 10 (4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.) March 11 (9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.) March 12 (9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.) - 82nd Annual Eastern Maine Sportsmen's Show, New Balance Field House, University of Maine, Orono

March 11 - Operation Reboot Outdoors, Welcome Home Fishing Derby, $20 per person, purchase tickets at operationrebootmaine.org 6:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Ellis Pond, Roxbury

March 11 - Early St. Patrick's Day Legion Breakfast, George Bunten Post 10, $10 requested donation, 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m., FMI: Jocelyn MosherCollins, Commander 207-779-7345, 17 Reynolds Ave., Livermore Falls

March 13 - Free skiing / boarding for veterans & their loved ones, Black Mountain of Maine, Free access to both lifts, tubing, and nordic trails. 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. , Rumford

March 18 - Vets in the Valley, Free skiing / snow boarding for Veterans & their families, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., 200 Lost Valley Road, Auburn

March 25 - 2nd Annual Women Veteran's Luncheon, free for all women veterans, RSVP by March 22, for more information contact Joe at 207-721-1172 or 207-607-9735. 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., 1 Columbus Drive, Brunswick. 

March 25 & 26 - Maine Maple Sunday (statewide)

March 29 - Vietnam Era Veterans Breakfast, courtesy of the Travis Mills Foundation, free full-service breakfast, program, and ceremonies. 9:00 a.m., Augusta Civic Center (registration has closed)

March 29 - Vietnam War Veterans Day Recognition Ceremony, the Maine Bureau of Veterans’ Services will host a tribute of remembrance, reflection, and appreciation event ceremony at the State House in the Hall of Flags at 2:00 p.m. to honor the service of Vietnam Veterans.

Leadership from Maine Bureau of Veterans’ Services will be joined by Maj. Gen Douglas Farnham, Adjutant General of the Maine National Guard. Light refreshments will be served.

March 31 - The United States Air Force Band, free tickets at usairforceband.com , 7:00 p.m. at Biddeford Middle School Performing Arts Center.