A message from the Maine Bureau of Veterans’ Services
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Flying Tiger Line Flight 739 Memorial Dedication
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On Saturday, May 15, 2021, the dedication of the Tiger Line Flight 739 Memorial took place in Columbia Falls, ME. This monument memorializes the 93 U.S. Army soldiers, 11 civilian crew members, and three South Vietnamese soldiers whose flight went missing in March 16, 1962, while participating in a secret Army mission. This was the first time that many of the soldier’s loved ones, from all over the United States, were able to gather in honor of their family members and to remember them. The land where the monument is erected was donated by Wreaths Across America Founder, Morrill Worcester.
The inscription on the stone reads:
“Missing in action; Presumed dead. Flying Tiger Line Flight 739 went missing on March 16, 1962, with 93 U.S. Army soldiers on board. These men and their flight crew perished in what would become one of the biggest aviation mysteries of the Vietnam War era.
THE NAMES OF THOSE WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES AND WHO REMAIN MISSING ARE INSCRIBED HERE SO THAT THEY WILL BE SAID ALOUD AND THEIR MEMORY WILL LIVE ON.”Maine Bureau of Veterans' Services (MBVS) Director, David Richmond, attended the ceremony and reflected, "It was an honor to meet some of the families and hear memories of their times together, and to see their united resolve to remember and honor the sacrifice of their family members."
To learn more, see the story of Flying Tiger Line Flight 739 - https://www.wreathsacrossamerica.org/pages/19520/News/447/?relatedId=0
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Maine Veterans' Dental Network Update
Within the first two weeks of the official launch of the Maine Veterans' Dental Network (MVDN), over 115 veterans from the Korean War era to present day who couldn't otherwise afford to pay for dental care, reached out to the MBVS requesting connection to the network for a variety of dental issues. Initial reports from the 15 participating clinics indicate a strong response to the program and veterans receiving expedient treatment within the first two weeks of the launch.
One veteran reached back MBVS after receiving services with gratitude and stated, "I was offered an appointment on the very next day thanks to a last-minute cancellation. So this morning, May 21, I had a comprehensive dental exam and full mouth
x-rays, and have been scheduled for a cleaning. It was a pretty wonderful experience with a nice and highly competent
dentist and highly responsive support staff. Thank you for facilitating this."
The dental network is the result of a $35,000 grant for veterans from Northeast Delta Dental, which has been divided among the participating clinics. Services will be provided on a first-come first-serve basis and will be available until funding runs out.
This MVDN pilot program is specifically for veterans who are not 100% service-connected to the VA, cannot afford to pay out of pocket, or afford dental insurance.
The participating dental clinics can provide the following services under the grant: preventative, diagnostic, restorative, oral surgery, and major restorative. Services not provided under the grant include: dental implants, orthodontics, fixed bridges, telehealth or PPE charges.
The participating dental clinics include: Community Dental (Biddeford, Farmington, Lewiston, Monson, Portland, and Rumford); Lincoln County Dental (Wiscasset); Kennebec Valley Family Dentistry (Augusta); Waterville Community Dental (Waterville); UNE Dental Clinic (Portland); UMA Dental Clinic (Bangor); Eastport Health Care (Eastport), and Fish River Rural Health (Madawaska, Fort Kent, and Eagle Lake).
Anyone interested in supporting the network to help increase its financial reach to Maine's veterans can make donations directly to any one of the participating clinics (please indicate Maine Veterans' Dental Network in the check memo line). For more information about the dental network, contact Sarah Sherman
at the Maine Bureau of Veterans' Services - 207-430-5816 or email sarah.sherman@maine.gov.
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Aides-de-Camp Program
MBVS received over 50 applications for the Governor's
Aides-de-Camp program. The Maine veterans that responded to the call represent a group of highly skilled veterans with diverse skillsets and experiences from each branch of the service and from all over the state. Upon thorough review, the applications were forwarded to the Governor. Chosen nominees will be notified in writing within the coming weeks.
AARP Wish of a Lifetime Program Seeks Female Veterans 65+
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Wish of a Lifetime is working to grant women Veterans
ages 65 and over their wish of a lifetime. Their hope is that through granting wishes they can tell the stories of the amazing women Veterans and honor them for their tremendous sacrifice and service.
If you know of women Veterans age 65 and over that will be interested have them fill out an application at https://wishofalifetime.org/application/
See the AARP's Wish of a Lifetime website for more details - https://wishofalifetime.org/ |
What's Happening
June 1: A Soldier’s Journey Home is currently looking for volunteers in to assist with their next veteran's build in June for Maine's Army SGT Christy Gardner. The structure will be an ADA-compliant, mortgage-free, smart home. If you would like to volunteer please contact David "Rico" Petruccelli at 207-252-3943 or email rico@soldiersjourneyhome.org. For more information see the Foundation's website - https://www.asoldiersjourneyhome.org/
June 19: Veterans Count is hosting an Over the Edge fundraising event. Rappel down One Canal Plaza in Portland, ME. Pre-register for the event and help raise $1,000 for a great cause. FMI – www.vetscount.org/maine
September 24-26: A Women Veterans’ Retreat will be held at the Clear Path for Veterans in Devers, MA. To register go to – https://www.projectnewhopema.org/home/retreats/
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