Please join the Maine Bureau of Veterans’ Services for a day of remembrance and celebration, as we honor Maine’s Vietnam Veterans at the State House (Hall of Flags) in Augusta on March 29^th from 1:00 – 4:00 p.m. Festivities will include opening remarks from Governor Janet Mills, the Adjutant General of the Maine National Guard, Major General Douglas Farnham, Acting Director David Richmond, and State Legislators and Representatives who will conduct recognition presentations of certificates and Maine Vietnam Veterans Coins. 

Photographic images taken during the war by Vietnam Veterans from the Boothbay Region will be on display in the rotunda, as this event also marks the 50^th anniversary of the war in Vietnam in 1969. U.S. Navy Veteran Joy Asuncion (Maine’s Ambassador to the Women’s Memorial in Washington, D.C.) will be on site to provide registration information for female veterans and their families and to answer questions about the Honor Flight program, representatives from the VA at Togus, as well as acoustic musical entertainment by Blind Albert, one band member is a Vietnam Veteran. Light refreshments will be served.

We encourage Mainer’s who would like to recognize a friend or family member killed or missing in action during the Vietnam War to submit a copy of their favorite photograph with a brief remembrance of their loved one, which will be displayed the day of the event. Mail your submissions to Maine Bureau of Veterans’ Services, 117 State House Station, Augusta, ME 04333-0117 or email an electronic version to sarah.sherman@maine.gov. Please note the cutoff date for entries is March 22^nd. Please only send copies of photos. Copies will not be returned and are for display purposes only.

Veterans' Dependents Educational Benefits

Maine provides a 100% waiver of tuition and all mandatory fees for spouses and dependents of veterans as defined in Title 37B, Chapter 7, Section 505(2). Specifically, veterans must meet the following criteria:

Has a 100% total permanent disability rating resulting from service-connected disability or who:

• Was killed in action;
  
   
• Died from a service-connected disability as a result of service;
  
   
• At the time of death was totally and permanently disabled due to a service-connected disability, but whose death was not related to the service-connected disability; or
  
   
• Is a member of the Armed Forces on active duty who has been listed for more than 90 days as missing in action, captured or forcibly detained or interned in the line of duty by a foreign government or power.

"Veteran" means any person who served in the military or naval forces of the United States and entered the service from this State or has been a resident of this State for five years immediately preceding application for aid and, if living, continues to reside in this State throughout the duration of benefits administered under the educational benefits program.

Schools covered under this program include the University of Maine System, Maine Community Colleges, and Maine Maritime Academy. Go to the Maine Bureau of Veterans Services website for more educational information.

MBVS Participates in the Point in Time Count

In an ongoing effort to end veteran homelessness in the state of Maine, the Maine Bureau of Veterans' Services (MBVS) participated in the statewide Point in Time Count during the end of January. Homeless Veterans Coordinator, Jarad Greeley, oversaw the count in Lincoln County and during the allotted three-day period he and Director of Strategic Partnerships, Sarah Sherman, interacted with town offices, law enforcement, schools, and churches across the county.The results of the count are submitted to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, who then allocates housing vouchers for the State of Maine. 

If you know a homeless veteran who needs assistance, please contact MBVS at 207-430-6036, email jarad.greeley@maine.gov, or see Homeless Veterans Services on our website at https://www.maine.gov/veterans/benefits/housing/homeless-veterans-services.html.

What's Happening

Who: American Red Cross Re-connection Workshop Series
What: Reuniting, Reconnecting and Rebuilding for military families. 
Where: 1 VA Togus Center, Augusta, ME (Building 205, Room TBD).
When: February 27th, March 27th, April 24th, May 22th, and June 26th
Sign Up: Joleen.lilley@va.gov or 207-623-8411 ext. 3078 

Who: 2019 Veterans' Creative Arts Competition at VA Maine Healthcare System
What: Visual and performing arts show
Where: VA Theater, Building 201
When: February 27th from 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Who: Maine Humanities Council & The Curtis Memorial Library
What: Brunswick Veterans Book Group
Where: Curtis Memorial Library in Brunswick, ME
When: March 6 - April 24th, Wednesdays from 6:00 - 7:30 p.m.
Sign Up: Call Cliff Trott - 207-780-3584

Who: Betsy Ann Ross House of Hope
What: Strike out Veterans' Homelessness
Where: Sparetime Recreation Augusta (215 Whitten Road in Hallowell)
When: March 10th from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Sign Up: Betsy Ann Ross House of Hope Facebook page - Tickets through Evenbrite.com.

Who: Togus VA
What: Vietnam Veterans Commemoration Event
Where: VA Theater
When: March 28 at 10:00 a.m.

Who: Travis Mills Foundation
What: Vietnam Era Veterans Day Breakfast
Where: State Armory
When: March 29th from 9:00 - 11:00 a.m.
Sign Up: Travis Mills Foundation Facebook page - Tickets by Evenbrite.

Who: Maine Bureau of Veterans' Services
What: National Vietnam War Veterans Day
Where: State House (Hall of Flags)
When: March 29th from 1:00 - 4:00 p.m.

Who: Volunteers of America
What: Portland Seadogs vs. Altoona Curve
Where: Portland, ME
When: Saturday, May 24th at 6:00 p.m.
Sign Up: Volunteers of America Website - https://www.voanne.org/events-2.