News
Maine Veterans Celebrate the Growing Ranks of Women in Military
Friday, September 30, 2016 | Category: Advocacy/Outreach - ME
Women veterans attended a conference on September 24, 2016 in Belfast, Maine. Amongst camaraderie, much veteran information was shared. Mother and daughters with military service participated. Adria Horn, director of the Maine Bureau of Veterans Services, noted that much positive change is happening, but "said one of the reasons she was selected to lead the bureau is that “our state acknowledged that [women] were not getting the services” entitled through service."
Veterans Count on Togus to Adapt to a New Mission (Part 3)
Monday, September 12, 2016 | Category: Health Care - ME
In this Part 3 of 3 articles marking the 150th anniversary of Togus, U.S. veteran demographics reveal the changes Maine Veterans Affairs must make to meet the needs of their older and younger generations of veterans. Both in the nation and in Maine, the total number of veterans is decreasing. The article notes: "Though the total number of veterans enrolled in Togus is projected to shrink from 54,016 in 2015 to 48,460 in 2035, the portion of women in that population is projected to grow from 6 percent to 11 percent during the same time frame, according to figures from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. At the same time, veterans who served in Iraq and Afghanistan made up 13 percent of VA Maine Healthcare System enrollees in 2015, but are expected to make up 20 percent by 2035.'
Homelessness is a Challenge for VA Center (Part 2)
Sunday, September 11, 2016 | Category: Housing/Experiencing Homelessness - ME
In this "Part 2" article published in conjunction with the Togus 150th year anniversary, veteran homelessness continues to be "just one of several complicated challenges" Veterans Affairs facilities are addressing. Maine VA, like all other VA agencies nationwide, face different generational expectations. Read Part 1 and Part 3 articles for more information about Togus history and the veterans they serve.
At Togus, a 150-year Evolution of Veterans’ Care (Part 1)
Saturday, September 10, 2016 | Category: History/Heritage - ME
Togus is celebrating its 150th anniversary this month. It became the first 'National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers" when Horace Beals' dream of a Maine-based resort failed. It became the "first-of-its-kind veterans’ care facility." Read more history in this and two follow-on articles.
Hutchinson Center to host Women Veterans Conference in Belfast
Thursday, September 8, 2016 | Category: Advocacy/Outreach - ME
A luncheon and conference is scheduled for Maine women veterans on September 24, 2016 from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. at the University of Maine Hutchinson Center in Belfast, Maine. It is sponsored by the Maine American Legion Women Veteran’s Advisory Committee. Adria O. Horn, Director of the Maine Bureau of Veterans' Services is the keynote speaker along with other speakers who will speak about the Women in Military Service for America Memorial (WIMSA) and University of Maine educational opportunities.
Registration begins at 9:00 a.m. There is no cost. Lunch, refreshments, door prizes, and free massages and salon services will be offered on site.
Please RSVP is requested by September 16, 2016. For more information or to register, contact Joy Asuncion, 207.930.5640; joyasuncion@roadrunner.com or Judy Otis, 207.548.640
Veteran Embarks on Walk Across 48 States
Friday, August 26, 2016 | Category: Suicide - ME
Kevin Kinkead, a 25-year-old Army veteran from Nebraska, is walking all of the 48 continental states to raise awareness about veteran suicide. A friend he deployed with committed suicide. He started his cross-country walk in Maine on August 8th. He expects his trip to take two years. He's posting his trek on his Facebook page, and if you would like to donate to his GoFundMe, his page can be found at: https://www.gofundme.com/2e4snybg.
The Home Depot Foundation Pledges More Than $1.75 Million to Volunteers of America to Provide Homes and Services to Vulnerable Veterans
Monday, August 8, 2016 | Category: Housing/Experiencing Homelessness - ME
The Volunteers of America (VOA) will receive more than $1.75 million in new Veteran Housing Grants from the Home Depot® Foundation. Since 2011, the foundation has given VOA nearly $11.3 million to improve housing for homeless veterans and their families.
Housing for Homeless Female Veterans Moving Forward After Favorable Appeal Ruling
Wednesday, August 3, 2016 | Category: Housing/Experiencing Homelessness - ME
The Augusta Zoning Board of Appeals unanimously overturned the City Council's approval of the city’s Code Enforcement Officer's decision to deny the application for a building permit for the Betsy Ann Ross House of Hope for women veterans experiencing homelessness. Attorney Mary Denison represented the registered non-profit Home stating that the operation did not fit in the city's current ordinance definitions, which the Code Enforcement Officer had to reference. There were about 20 supporters at the appeals hearing including neighbors, veterans, and several members of the Maine Veterans of Foreign Wars. Renovations will resume with hopes of a grand opening on Veterans Day 2016. Donations--money, gently-used household goods, and time to help with renovations--are welcomed.
New & Improved Maine Bureau of Veterans' Services Web Pages Launched!
Wednesday, May 25, 2016 | Category: Advocacy/Outreach - ME
Take a look at the new and improved Maine Bureau of Veterans' Services web pages launched in May 2016! They are easy to navigate and include many resources. You can request to post veteran events to their calendar and some pages are interactive.
Contact: Laura Allen, Outreach Specialist
E-mail: laura.e.allen@maine.gov
Office: 207-430-5816
Mobile: 207-446-0168
You can also follow Maine Veterans' Services at:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mainevets/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/MEveterans
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/maineveterans/?hl=en
2016 Maine Memorial Day Events
Tuesday, May 24, 2016 | Category: History/Heritage - ME
Bangor Daily News offers a list of some of the Memorial Day events scheduled in Maine communities.