UPCOMING PACT ACT DEADLINE: AUGUST 9th

A major deadline is approaching for veterans who qualify for a major health care and benefits expansion under the PACT Act.

The Act, which passed in August of 2022, expanded VA health care and benefits for Vietnam, Gulf War and 9/11-era veterans who may have been exposed to burn pits, Agent Orange and other toxic chemicals.

It's estimated that nearly 30,000 Maine veterans saw their eligibility expanded under the new program.

Veterans and their survivors have until August 9 to file a claim with the VA in order to be eligible for a year of retroactive compensation backdated to August 10, 2022.

The VA will still accept claims after the August 9 deadline, but those won't be eligible for retroactive benefits.

More information about PACT Act eligibility and filing a disability claim can be found here.

HIRE-A-VET CAMPAIGN 2023

The 2023 Maine Hire-A-Vet Campaign begins soon! This annual effort is designed to support our nation’s Veterans, who bring invaluable skills, experience, and dedication to the workforce. Our goal is to help at least 100 Maine employers hire at least 100 Veterans within 100 days. Whether you’re an employer seeking to hire top talent or a job seeker looking for your next career move, we invite you to join us.  Let's honor our Veterans by investing in their future success and building a stronger workforce together.

And remember, Hire the Right Veteran…for the Right Job…Right Now!

Schedule of events: 

• August 17, Augusta Civic Center, Augusta. Employer and Resource Provider Deadline, August 11. 
• September 21, Eastern Maine Community College, Bangor. Employer and Resource Provider Deadline September 15.
• October 19, The Point, South Portland. Employer and Resource Provider Deadline October 13.
• November 9, Auburn Mall, Auburn. Employer and Resource Provider Registration Deadline October 13. 

Employers can register for one or multiple events.  The only requirement is being registered in Maine JobLink with at least one active job posted to your account on the day of the event.  Not registered with Maine JobLink?  It is free and simple to register at https://joblink.maine.gov/employer. Employers that currently have a National Labor Exchange account meets event eligibility requirements.

Additional event details can be found at the Maine Hire-A-Vet Campaign homepage https://www.mainecareercenter.com/mhav/.  If you have specific event questions, you can email us at MaineHireAVet.DOL@maine.gov.

Employers can register online at Maine Hire-A-Vet Hiring Campaign.   

MOBILE HOMELESS VETERAN STAND DOWNS: 

The Maine Bureau of Veterans' Services will be hosting mobile homeless veteran Stand Downs across the State of Maine this fall for the fourth year in a row. 

The Stand Downs are events that connect homeless veterans with housing and access to winter clothes, non-perishable food, and more. 

September 6: FedCap / Veterans Forward. 242 State Street, Brewer. 

September 13: FedCap / Veterans Forward. 25 Sweden Street, Caribou. 

September 20: Veterans Memorial Park, 2-20 Main Street, Lewiston. 

October 4: Hannaford, 295 Forest Ave., Portland. 

October 11: (Location TBD) Augusta. 

October 18: MBVS Springvale Office / VetCenter. 634 Main Street, Springvale. 

For more information, call 207-287-7019 or email HVC.MaineBVS@maine.gov

VETERANS ADAPTIVE SPORTS & TRAINING (VAST)

Research shows that daily physical activity results in reduced stress, helps with depression, lessens secondary medical conditions, and increases self-esteem, educational success, employment rates and quality of life.

In our state we are very fortunate for the substantial veteran support community that provides resources and activities throughout the year promoting a fun and healthy lifestyle, regardless of the season.

A great example of this is the Veterans Adaptive Sports and Training (VAST) program held at the Pineland Farms Outdoor Center in New Gloucester. Led by Olympic athlete, Kristina Sabasteanski, VAST offers weekly activities and events every Wednesday from 9 A.M. to noon. This includes year-round activities based on the needs and wants of veterans, such as archery, cycling, fishing, disc golf, wheelchair basketball, and much more. VAST is free, includes equipment and is welcome to all veterans with or without disabilities.

For more information, please visit www.PinelandFarms.org/recreation/VAST

PACT ACT AWARENESS EVENT:

Thursday, August 3rd the Rumford VA Community Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC) is hosting a FREE PACT act awareness event you don't want to miss!

Meet with:

• Veterans Benefits Administration
• Veterans Health Administration
• Veterans Service Organizations
• Maine Bureau of Veterans' Services
• Vet Center

Onsite Services:

• Receive Toxic Exposure Screening
• File a Claim
• Enroll in Health Care
• Learn about State Veterans Benefits

UPCOMING EVENTS:

August 2 - Archery and Boccia Program, hosted by VAST, 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Free to all veterans. For more information contact Kristina at 207-310-8694 or kristina@pinelandfarms.org , 25 Campus Dr., New Gloucester. 

August 3 - PACT Act Awareness Event, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Information on Federal, State, and Community Resources available to Service Members, Veterans, and their families. 10 Railroad Street, Rumford.

August 4 - Veterans Paint and Snack hosted by Wabanaki Public Health and Wellness. 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. A night of Paint and Snack as well as the opportunity to hear from Bangor Vet Center's James Butts on veterans related issues. Please register here to sign up: https://bit.ly/3DnV4Ou , if you have any questions or concerns please contact Nancy Lacoote at nlacoote@wabanakiphw.org

August 5 - Paintball at Maine Military Supply hosted by the Maine Veterans Project, 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Maine Military supplies the masks and field time, MVP has the paint. Show up and have fun. Open to all veterans and a guest. 179 Main Street, Holden. 

August 8 - Travis Mills Archery Foundation and Wheelchair Basketball Clinic, 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Free to all veterans. For more information contact Kristina at 207-310-8694 or kristina@pinelandfarms.org , 1002 Watson Pond Rd.

August 9 - Archery and Boccia Program, hosted by VAST, 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Free to all veterans. For more information contact Kristina at 207-310-8694 or kristina@pinelandfarms.org , 25 Campus Dr., New Gloucester. 

August 12 - Legion Family Backyard BBQ hosted by The Sons of Legion 197, 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Come enjoy a good ol' fashioned backyard family day. Games, food, and fun. $12 per plate. Tickets are limited. 300 Conant Street, Westbrook. For more information contact 207-854-9044 or salpost197@gmail.com 

August 16 - Archery and Boccia Program, hosted by VAST, 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Free to all veterans. For more information contact Kristina at 207-310-8694 or kristina@pinelandfarms.org , 25 Campus Dr., New Gloucester. 

August 18 to 21 - Women Veterans Glamping in Maine, 10:30 a.m. Off Grid Glamping in the Yurts at Maine Forest Yurts. NO electricity. Fishing, swimming, hikes and more. Great food and comradery of shared experiences with fellow sisters of arms. For more information contact 207-456-6114 or womenveteransglamping@gmail.com , 430 Auburn Pownal Road, Durham. 

August 19 - Kickball Tournament hosted by the American Legion Auxiliary Unit #42. 9:00 a.m. Breakfast and lunch available for purchase. 527 Main Street, Damariscotta. For more information contact unit #42 at 207-563-3738 or legionpost42@outlook.com

August 19 - Boothbay V.E.T.S. (Veterans Emergency Temporary Shelter) Annual BBQ Picnic Fundraiser, 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Pulled pork, burgers, music, games, & more! Adults $10 per meal, Children 5-12 $6 per meal, under 5 eat free. 36 Industrial Park, Boothbay. 

August 22 - Travis Mills Archery Foundation and Wheelchair Basketball Clinic, 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Free to all veterans. For more information contact Kristina at 207-310-8694 or kristina@pinelandfarms.org , 1002 Watson Pond Rd.

August 23 - Archery and Boccia Program, hosted by VAST, 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Free to all veterans. For more information contact Kristina at 207-310-8694 or kristina@pinelandfarms.org , 25 Campus Dr., New Gloucester.

August 25 - Sons of the American Legion Annual Lobster Bake, 4:00 p.m. $20 Lobster or steak dinner, $30 for twin lobster sides included. Tickets can be picked up at Madison American Legion Hall,  20 S Maple Street, Madison.

August 26 - Legion Summer Games hosted by American Legion Post 86, register by 12:00 p.m., starts at 1:00 p.m. $20 registration fee. Food provided for $10. Money raised will support building fund. For more information contact Clyde at 207-240-5831 or Justin at 207-291-5928. 15 Lewiston Road, Gray. 

August 30 - Archery and Boccia Program, hosted by VAST, 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Free to all veterans. For more information contact Kristina at 207-310-8694 or kristina@pinelandfarms.org , 25 Campus Dr., New Gloucester.

If you have an event you wish to have featured on the Maine Bureau of Veterans' Services website and newsletter, please email: ryan.e.lorrain@maine.gov