A message from the Maine Bureau of Veterans' Services
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Memorial Day - A Time To Remember
The Maine Bureau of Veterans' Services would once again like to thank the over 140 members of the Maine National Guard who volunteered to place flags at the Central Maine Veterans’ Cemeteries.
Maine’s Guardsmen spent the morning of Friday, May 22nd paying their respects to those that came before them and we thank our Soldiers and Airmen for their efforts.
The Bureau would also like to thank the volunteer quartet that played the National Anthem along with a few other songs for our Memorial Day Commemoration on Monday, May 25th.
A 'Thank You' also goes out to the Maine Army National Guard's Honor Guard for providing a firing detail for the ceremony.
Although different than past years' ceremonies, roughly 2000 Mainers watched our Memorial Day Commemoration via Facebook Live, and we were honored to pay our respects to Maine's finest.
If you missed the ceremony, you may watch it by visiting our Facebook page at:
https://www.facebook.com/mainevets/videos/1480604772143992/
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2020 Maine Disabled Veterans Controlled Moose Hunt
Congratulations to the following veterans who were drawn as winners of the Maine Disabled Veterans Controlled Moose Hunt.
Primary Hunters:
Randall Grady - Jefferson, ME
Mark Darrigo - Hermon, ME
Steven Mullett - Winthrop, ME
Ryan Pote - Old Orchard Beach, ME
Bernice Bartlett DeBlois - Brooklin, ME
Alternate Hunters:
Brian Ayotte - Bangor, ME
Rene Roy - Jackman, ME
Keri Dunton - Carmel, ME
Ken Blagburn - Lake View Plt, ME
Brent Torrey - Clifton, ME
The selected hunters will join the folks at Smoldering Lake Outfitters in Bridgewater, Maine for a late summer hunt in Aroostook County!
June - National PTSD Awareness Month
We’ve all been there. A trip to the emergency room for a broken bone as a child, a visit to our Primary Care Physician for a case of the flu or wrapping up a wound to quickly stop the bleeding. When we see and feel our injuries, we make the effort to take care of ourselves. But what if our injuries are invisible and can only be felt on the inside? We know something is wrong – we just can’t quite identify it, and the feelings may last days, months, and even years. Those feelings may be the symptoms of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
The month of June is National PTSD Awareness Month and it’s a month that aims to raise awareness about PTSD, which is a mental health condition that may develop after a person has been exposed to one or more distressing events.
According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), it is estimated that 15% of America’s veterans experience symptoms of PTSD. With roughly 18 million veterans living in the United States, that means 2.7 million veterans are living with some level of PTSD symptoms. Here in Maine, with a veteran population of 114,000, that equates to over 17,000 veterans here at home who may have or are at risk of experiencing PTSD symptoms. The above numbers are alarming, and far too many of our veterans and their families suffer in silence.
If asked about what PTSD looks like, how would you describe it? Would you be able to identify the cause, the symptoms, or a trigger? Many of us can’t, which is why it’s so important to learn the facts. For those who know a little bit about the effects of PTSD, they may tell you that PTSD develops after experiencing or witnessing a life-threatening event, such as a major accident or intense combat. While this is often true, it’s not always the case. PTSD can develop after any distressing event that occurs in your life – it’s not only reserved for those who have seen war first-hand. Survivors of emotional, physical or sexual abuse, or natural disasters. First responders, although highly trained and resilient, are impacted by the work that they do and can also experience symptoms of PTSD.
Stress reactions to trauma are common and actually necessary, as these reactions help us protectively react to dangerous situations. Acute stress symptoms such as hypervigilance, anxiety and arousal, sleeplessness, irritability, and difficulty concentrating, typically begin soon after the traumatic event, but will usually subside within days or a few months when the danger is past. If these symptoms do not start to improve after 3-6 months, it is possible that someone can begin to experience PTSD. It is also possible that for some people, symptoms of PTSD don’t develop for months or years after their trauma. Hypervigilance, an exaggerated startled response, reexperiencing of the traumatic event through intrusive thoughts or dreams, feelings of hopelessness, depression or anxiety, emotional numbing perhaps through excessive drinking or drug use, chronic pain, and employment or relationship issues can be signs that someone could be suffering from PTSD.
For veterans, the symptoms of PTSD frequently have complicated foundations. Veterans may experience survivor’s guilt, or they may now be acutely aware that their responsibilities in civilian life don’t quite match up to those in their military careers. Moral injury is another experience that can underlie a person’s experience of PTSD. Moral Injury occurs when a person has to engage in something that is at odds with his/her core set of values or beliefs. This can cause an intense internal conflict, especially when the person returns to civilian life. When someone grapples with a chronic condition such as PTSD, they may also experience a loss of pride and self-worth which can compound their psychological pain. For many reasons, veterans experiencing these issues can be hesitant to ask or seek out help. Military culture tends to emphasize individual resilience and minimizing pain and suffering so that a mission can be completed successfully. This is a necessary short-term tactic, but in the long term, people are hurt when this becomes a long-term strategy. Another honorable military value is the tendency of service members putting others before self and relentlessly advocating for others. However, this can hinder self-advocacy and asking for personal help is usually a significant barrier to healing.
So where should you turn for help?
The mission of PTSD Awareness Month is to remove the stigma surrounding this topic and to promote the seeking of assistance. Anyone – veterans, family members, friends, employers – can connect with the Bureau for assistance in understanding and accessing available resources.
Individuals seeking assistance with managing PTSD symptoms can contact the Bureau for assistance enrolling in VA healthcare, filing for disability compensation, and providing local connections to various types of therapies. There are many programs available to Maine veterans and the Bureau is committed to helping our service members find the approach that will work best for them.
For a list of resources available across Maine, please visit our website: https://www.maine.gov/veterans/docs/MBVS-Resource-Guide.pdf
For more information on National PTSD Awareness Day please visit: www.ptsd.va.gov/.
To obtain assistance for PTSD, please contact the Maine Bureau of Veterans Services at 207-430-6035 or visit our website www.maine.gov/veterans to learn more about available resources.
Maine’s five Vet Centers provide counseling and support for combat veterans and survivors of Military Sexual Trauma. Please visit www.maine.va.gov/visitors/VetCenters.asp to learn more.
We all have a part to play when breaking down barriers. Let’s stay alert and look out for one another.
Maine Veteran Lifetime State Park Pass
Have you received your FREE State Park & Museum Pass?
All veterans who are residents of the State of Maine, and received an honorable discharge or general discharge under honorable conditions are eligible for a free Lifetime Veteran State Park & Museum Pass. Passes do not expire and are valid for the lifetime of the holder!
School vacation is right around the corner, so why not visit a few of Maine's 48 State Parks and Historic Sites this summer?
Apply for your Lifetime Veteran State Park & Museum Pass by visiting our website:
https://www.maine.gov/veterans/benefits/recreational-licenses/lifetime-park-pass.html
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