A message from the Maine Bureau of Veterans' Services
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Southern Maine Veteran Cemetery Expansion
The State of Maine opened three bids for the Southern Maine Veterans Cemetery expansion project that are expected to include the installation of additional double depth crypts, a green burial section, and an equipment building.
The apparent low bid is just over 2 million dollars, and the final federal grant application will be forwarded to the Veterans’ Cemetery Grants Program, a division of the National Cemetery Administration.
Maine Veteran Cemetery
Green Burials Update
Since the formation of the Maine Veteran Cemetery System, we at the Maine Bureau of Veterans’ Services have remained committed to the preservation of our veterans’ legacies as well as the historical integrity of the System’s four state-run veteran cemeteries. From the time of our first burial in 1970 to today’s services, we have ensured our veterans are honored and memorialized in the most respectful and worthy manner possible.
One year ago, the Maine Veteran Cemetery System proposed a change to the System – that change was to offer “Green Burials” to veterans, their spouses and dependents. This past legislative session, the Maine State Legislature passed LD 1806, An Act To Amend the Laws Governing Veterans’ Services, which will allow the Bureau to officially offer the service to veterans and families who wish to be interred in our cemeteries this way.
Green burials require: the use of non-toxic and biodegradable caskets, shrouds and urns; foregoing the use of metal and concrete burial vaults; and the sanitation and preservation of a decedent without the use of toxic chemicals. The VA requires flat granite headstones to mark the grave site.
Some may ask why the Maine Bureau of Veterans’ Services decided to pursue this option, and the answer is simple – freedom of choice for our veterans and their families. Green burials also do not have a negative environmental impact, provide a more affordable option for grieving families and leave a lasting legacy.
While we are still a few years from interring veterans in such a manner, we want to give families a viable choice for a more environmentally friendly alternative.
Persons eligible for burial in one of Maine Veterans' Memorial Cemeteries are as follows:
-Served in the active United States Armed Forces (other than for training) and who:
-If discharged, received an honorable discharge or a general discharge under honorable conditions, provided that the discharge was not upgraded through a program of general amnesty;
-Served in the Maine National Guard and died as a result of injury, disease or illness sustained while serving on active state service;
-Served in the Reserve Components of the United States Armed Forces and was entitled to retired pay under 10 United States Code, chapter 1223 or would have been entitled to retired pay under chapter 1223 except that the person was under 60 years of age; or
-Died while serving in the Active Guard Reserve and whose death is determined to be in the line of duty.
Spouses, widows, widowers and dependent children are also eligible to be buried in MVCS. Dependent children eligible to be buried in the MVCS include:
-Unmarried minor children
-Unmarried dependent children enrolled in secondary school
-Unmarried adult children who became incapable of self-support before reaching 18 years of age on account of mental or physical disability and are unmarried
Thanks to our committed cemetery grounds crew and Superintendent, we consistently receive high quality ratings for our state-run cemeteries by the Department of Veterans Affairs National Cemetery Administration, bringing us very close to the standards maintained at Arlington and other National Veteran Cemeteries. We take pride in what we do and strive to honor the service of Maine’s veterans in the best manner possible.
Burial Benefits For Spouses
As a State agency, the Maine Bureau of Veterans’ Services fields questions regarding our benefits and services daily. One question we have received consistently is whether married same sex couples can be interred together at our Maine Veterans’ Cemeteries. The simple answer is: yes.
Veterans, spouses, and their dependents are eligible to be interred at the Maine Veterans' Cemetery System (MVCS). The State of Maine provides the plot, will open and close the grave and supplies perpetual care, at no cost to the family. Eligible dependents will be buried adjacent to or in the same plot as the veteran, or have their cremated remains placed in a niche wall. The Federal Government supplies the stone at no cost.
For more information on the Maine Veterans’ Cemetery System, please visit our website at:
https://www.maine.gov/veterans/memorial-cemetery-system/index.html
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What's Happening
What: VFW Golf Tournament
Where: Hermon Meadow Golf Course, 281 Billings Rd, Hermon ME
When: Saturday, August 24th from at 8:00AM
What: Veterans' Bear Hunt Lobster Feed
Where: House in the Woods, 217 Skunk Hill Rd, Lee ME
When: Sunday, August 25th at 2:00PM
What: Hire-A-Vet 2019
Where: Augusta Civic Center, 76 Community Drive, Augusta ME
When: Thursday, August 29th from 11:00AM - 3:00PM
What: Vietnam Veterans Recognition Ceremony
Where: Portland Vet Center - 475 Stevens Ave, Portland ME
When: Thursday, September 5th from 12:00PM - 2:00PM
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