A message from the Maine Bureau of Veterans' Services
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Seeking Help for Homeless Veterans is the
First Step to Receiving It
Winter is upon us, and we are reminded of the harsh reality that over 100 Maine veterans do not have a place to call home. While the Bureau and our many partners are doing everything possible to locate permanent housing for veterans in need, we need the community’s help.
MBVS staff is often asked, “How can I help?” from members of the public and veterans who are looking to serve their communities in a different capacity. If you know a veteran who is struggling, share our contact information with them. If we can’t directly help, we can connect them with someone who can. If you are a property owner and have units available, consider leasing to a veteran. Eradicating veteran homelessness takes deliberate effort by us all and knowing where to ask for help is the first step.
If you do one thing to help homeless veterans today, please consider watching and sharing the above video about the partnerships that have been made across the State of Maine, and how those established connections have helped our veterans. But don’t just take our word for it; in the video, you’ll meet John Randall, a Maine Veteran who received a permanent home at Cabin in the Woods after reaching out and asking for help. As John’s story illustrates, home provides safety, security, stability, and peace of mind. When one has a place to rest their head at night, overall health is improved both physically and mentally, and it allows for services to be received.
At the Maine Bureau of Veterans’ Services, we will always be committed to serving our veterans and their families. There’s no wrong door to knock on when asking for help; but asking for help is the first critical step in changing the path of homelessness.
For more information about the Bureau or to request assistance, please call us at 207-430-6035, email us at mainebvs@maine.gov or visit our website at www.maine.gov/veterans.
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Commissary Access:
Changes Effective January 1
Effective January 1, 2020 the Department of Defense will be expanding commissary, military exchange, and morale, welfare, and recreation (MWR) retail privileges on U.S. military installations.
Access will expand to include all veterans with service-connected disabilities, veterans who are Purple Heart recipients, veterans who are former prisoners of war, and individuals approved and designated as the primary family caregivers of eligible veterans under the Department of Veterans Affairs Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers.
Installation access will be granted as follows:
1. Veteran's Health Identification Card (VHIC) issued to veterans enrolled in VA healthcare. The VHIC can be read by Defense Biometrics Identification System (DBIDS) and establishes identity.
2. VA letters, issued to VA Caregivers. Individuals issued a VA letter will need to provide their VA letter, approved identity proofing documents and pass fitness. Once complete, the Real ID will be registered in DBIDS and used as the credential at the installation access control point.
3. Accompanying individuals. Persons accompanying the card/letter holders will have the purpose of the card/letter holder conveyed to them. Persons accompanying are required to establish identity and fitness at the Visitor Center to establish access on their own merit.
4. Installation access will not be granted to any individual that does not pass fitness testing.
100% of VHIC and Real IDs will be scanned by DBIDS at entry control points. Trusted Traveler does not apply for VHIC and Real ID, all individuals in the vehicle must have a valid credential scanned at the installation access control point.
Summary: On January 1, 2020 non-retired service-connected disabled veterans are allowed access to DOD installations with medical and MWR facilities provided they meet fitness requirements. All VHIC/VA letter related person's credentials will be scanned in DBIDS for entry.
Below are the IDs that will and will not be accepted:
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"Boot Camp" for Market Gardeners
and Farmers
The University of Maine Cooperative Extension is offering a "Boot Camp" for Market Gardeners and Farmers.
"Boots - 2- Bushels" is a FREE course for military veterans interested in growing and selling their own farm produce.
Participants who attend all classes and participate in the growing program will earn a Certificate of Completion and Letter of Recommendation.
Space is limited. Preference will be given to participants who are veterans or veteran family members and who can commit to the entire 30-week program (all 10 classes plus field work during the growing season).
All classes will be taught by UMaine Extension and MOFGA subject matter experts.
January 13: Soil Health
January 27: Crop Planning
February 10: Small Fruit Production
February 24: Vegetable Production (Leaf, Cucurbit, and Nightshades)
March 9: Vegetable Production (Root, Bulb, and Cole Crops)
March 23: Bookkeeping, Marketing
April 6: Seedling Production
April 27: Harvest and Storage
May 4: Integrated Pest Management
May 18: Tools and Equipment
May 25 – September 30: Field Work: Production/Sales
To register, please visit the University of Maine's website.
MBVS Veteran Service Officer Named
2019 Employee of the Year
Please join us in congratulating Barrett Fisher on being named the Department of Defense, Veterans and Emergency Management's (DVEM) 2019 Employee of the Year!
Barrett is a Veteran Service Officer (VSO) with the Maine Bureau of Veterans' Services (MBVS) and veteran of the U.S. Army.
Barrett serves as the VSO in our Caribou and Machias field offices, and also meets remotely with incarcerated veterans in the Maine State Prison. He's been instrumental in the training of the Bureau's staff statewide and is a major asset to both the agency and department.
We'd like to thank Barrett for his service to our country and state, and for his dedicated advocacy on behalf of Maine's veterans.
Remembering the Sacrifice of Maine's Soldiers
155 years ago, at a pivotal point during the American Civil War, thousands of soldiers from Maine fought in the Shenandoah Valley – and hundreds became casualties. Yet no monument or memorial stands on the Valley’s battlefields to honor their sacrifice, or to remember the difference they made in the history of this nation.
Now, in conjunction with the Shenandoah Valley Battlefields National Historic District, a campaign is underway to change that – to raise the funds needed to purchase and install a stone memorial to these Maine soldiers on the largest of the Valley’s battlefields, the Third Battle of Winchester. But more help is needed.
About 70% of the money for the new stone memorial has already been raised by the Maine Monument Fund, but the rest still needs to be procured. This is where help is needed – the help of individuals and organizers who believe that the sacrifice of these Americans, so far from their homes, deserves to be remembered. Please help keep the memory of these men alive by supporting the monument fund. You can contribute either by mailing a check to:
Shenandoah Valley Battlefields Foundation
Attn: Maine Monument Fund
PO BOX 897, 9386 S. Congress St.
New Market, VA 22844
Or you can give now by texting MAINEMEN to 41444 and filling out the secure donation form.
For more information, contact Peter Dalton at jacksonsvc1862@gmail.com or 540-325-0787.
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What's Happening
What: Mental Health First Aid (NAMI Maine)
Where: Pittsfield Library
When: Wednesday, February 5th from 8:30am - 4:30pm
Registration Link: www.namimaine.org/event/pittsfieldvets
What: Mental Health First Aid (NAMI Maine)
Where: Waterville Elks Banquet and Conference Center
When: Friday, January 10th from 8:30am - 4:30pm
Registration Link: www.namimaine.org/event/watervillevets
What: Veterans Mental Health First Aid for Medical Providers
Where: NAMI Maine in Hallowell
When: Saturday, January 11th from 8:30am - 4:30pm
Registration Link: www.namimaine.org/event/medmhfa
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