News
Independence Day and the Statue of Liberty
Saturday, July 1, 2023 | Category: History/Heritage - ME
4th of July U.S. Census Bureau "Facts for Features" (https://www.census.gov/newsroom/facts-for-features/2023/fourth-of-july.html)
Statue of Liberty
The statue's original name was Liberty Enlightening the World. The statue was given to the United States by the French as a centennial gift in honor of the 100-year anniversary of the July 4, 1776 signing of the Declaration of Independence. The statue arrived in 1885 and in 1886 it was dedicated, ten years after the anniversary.
What does the Statue of Liberty represent? She is a symbol of the ideals of friendship between nations, freedom from tyranny and oppression, and new beginnings for peoples around the world.
Emma Lazarus wrote the famous 1883 sonnet which since the early 1900s, is on a bronze plaque in the statue's pedestal.
The New Colossus
Not like the brazen giant of Greek fame,
With conquering limbs astride from land to land;
Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall stand
A mighty woman with a torch, whose flame
Is the imprisoned lightning, and her name
Mother of Exiles. From her beacon-hand
Glows world-wide welcome; her mild eyes command
The air-bridged harbor that twin cities frame.
"Keep, ancient lands, your storied pomp!" cries she
With silent lips. "Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"
National Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month of April
Saturday, April 1, 2023 | Category: Sexual Harassment/Assault/Trauma - ME
The month of April is “National Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month.” Sexual assault and harassment remain systemically prevalent in many institutions, including the United States military. Long-term prevention measures are needed to effect socio-cultural attitudinal change as well as ensure safe work environments where employees can report incidences without fear of reprisal and/or retaliation.
This link includes extensive “Military Sexual Assault” and “Military Sexual Trauma’” references.
This ongoing campaign intends to raise public awareness about sexual violence in our nation and its prevalence within federal, state, public and private institutions and businesses and societal subcultures.
Report to Governor Recommends Maine National Guard Sex Assault Responses
Saturday, December 31, 2022 | Category: Sexual Harassment/Assault/Trauma - ME
Governor Janet Mills established the Advisory Council on Military Sexual Trauma as one of several responses to a Bangor Daily News series that exposed a culture on the Army side that is permissive of sexual abuse, retaliates against soldiers who come forward and drives women out of the service. Major Gen. Douglas Farnham of the Maine Guard had requested outside assistance in March 2022.
The BDN’s three-part series, “Unguarded,” tells the stories of soldiers sexually assaulted and harassed within the ranks of the Maine Army National Guard while lax enforcement of policies, little oversight, and retaliation against those who complained continued for more than a decade. See this link for related articles: https://www.bangordailynews.com/unguarded/
Panel to help Maine National Guard improve assault response
Saturday, December 31, 2022 | Category: Sexual Harassment/Assault/Trauma - ME
News Center Maine, March 22, 2022:
‘ Gov. Janet Mills on Thursday established a permanent advisory council to improve the Maine National Guard’s responses to sexual assault and harassment and to ensure assault survivors are connected to available resources.
The 10-member council is charged with making recommendations by Dec. 1 about how the Maine National Guard can improve its handling of assault and harassment within its ranks, with an emphasis on coordination with law enforcement authorities.’
Top military official seeks outside probe of Maine National Guard’s handling of sexual assault cases (March 2022)
Thursday, December 29, 2022 | Category: Sexual Harassment/Assault/Trauma - ME
On March 24, 2022, Callie Ferguson reported: ‘ Maine’s top military official has asked for an outside investigation of how the Maine National Guard handles sexual assault cases, Gov. Janet Mills said Thursday. She also noted: ‘ Also on Thursday, Mills, who oversees the guard as governor, signed an executive order establishing a permanent advisory council to recommend ways the guard can improve its handling of sexual assault and harassment, especially in collaboration with local law enforcement. Its first report is due to the governor on Dec. 1.’. See article and associated links for further information.
Wreaths Across America
Monday, November 28, 2022 | Category: History/Heritage - ME
Website Description:
‘Each December on National Wreaths Across America Day, our mission to Remember, Honor and Teach is carried out by coordinating wreath-laying ceremonies at Arlington National Cemetery, as well as at more than 2,500 additional locations in all 50 U.S. states, at sea and abroad.’
The laying of wreaths occurs the third Saturday in December annually.
Veterans Day
Friday, November 11, 2022 | Category: History/Heritage - ME
A brief history of Veterans Day is posted on the Department of Veterans Affairs website.
News: Protect Our Defenders
Tuesday, June 28, 2022 | Category: Sexual Harassment/Assault/Trauma - ME
The "Protect Our Defenders News Blog" posts news relative to their day-to-day work with the "women and men in uniform who have been raped or sexually assaulted by fellow service members. Protect Our Defenders seeks to fix the military training, investigation and adjudication systems related to sexual violence and harassment--systems that often re-victimize assault survivors by blaming them while failing to hold perpetrators accountable."
They work with survivors, have an in-depth understanding of military process and procedure, and respectfully work with others to promote change from within. It is their belief that "it is a human right to work and live in a safe and respectful environment and fostering this environment within the military’s ranks will make the military more effective. Whether advocating for reform, filing a legal brief, providing legal support, or coordinating peer support for survivors; each project and activity manifests POD’s core values."
Nancy Parrish, Founder & CEO, is a human rights activist, philanthropist, and investor. POD President, Don Christensen, Colonel, USAF (Ret.) served as chief prosecutor for the United States Air Force between 2010 and 2014. He served as a trial counsel, defense counsel or military judge for every year of his 23-year career in the United States Air Force. His full bio is posted on the POD site.
Women’s History Month (March 2022)
Tuesday, March 1, 2022 | Category: History/Heritage - ME
The month of March is national “Women’s History Month,” a time dedicated to learn more about women and recognize their innumerable lifetime contributions. Women with military service are a vibrant part of this memorable journey.
Perspectives: National Geographic’s Women in Military Services
Thursday, February 3, 2022 | Category: History/Heritage - ME
National Geographic offers a spectrum of articles about women in military services, past and current times.
https://www.nationalgeographic.com/search?q=Women+in+military