August Newsletter

On July 26th, 60 of Maine’s Korean War Veterans and their families were honored at the State House in Augusta by the Korean Consulate General of Boston and the Maine Bureau of Veterans’ Services.

The event opened with an invocation by the Maine National Guard’s Chaplain Weigelt and Lauren Stevens (Passamaquoddy) singing a Wabanaki Welcome Song.

This was followed by the Maine Department of Corrections Color Guard presenting the national colors (U.S. and Korean), the Pledge of Allegiance, and singing of the National Anthems for both countries.

Congressional Delegation representatives offered remarks and Brigadier General Diane Dunn, Adjutant General, Maine National Guard and Commissioner for the Department of Defense, Veterans and Emergency Management read a proclamation.

Out of the 60 veterans recognized, 18 were from Maine’s Wabanaki communities, and Darren Ripley (Veterans Services Coordinator – Wabanaki Public Health and Wellness) accepted the awards on behalf of family members who were unable to attend the ceremony.

The principal, teachers, and students from the Korean Language School in Portland wore traditional hanbok garments and sang several songs for the 13 Korean War Veterans present and the audience. State Representative Holly Stover, whose Uncle Arthur Barlow was Killed in Action in Korea, offered a remembrance of him and three other Service Members who lost their lives during the war to honor them and their four Gold Star Families who were present in the audience. This was followed by a moment of silence.

Jae-Hui Kim, Consul General of the Korean Consulate in Boston and David A. Richmond, Director of the Maine Bureau of Veterans’ Services presented Korean Ambassador for Peace Medals, State of Maine Veterans’ Recognitions, and wooden plaques created by the Maine Department of Corrections Wood Shop to the veterans or their families.

The veterans’ recognitions were followed by Quilts of Valor presentations of handmade quilts to each of the Korean War Veterans present, a group photo was taken from the Grand Stairway, and authentic Korean food was served by Chef Hur owner of the N to Tail Restaurant in Portland.

For event photos, visit here.

News Coverage (WABI): visit here.

News Coverage (WCSH-6): visit here.

Join NAMI Maine and the Maine Bureau of Veterans' Services on September 11th for the Supporting Veterans' Resilience Symposium at the University of Southern Maine's Hannaford Hall on the Portland Campus.

Iraq War Combat Veteran and Mental Health and Holistic Healing Advocate, Tom Voss, will be the Keynote Speaker. The event will feature Mr. Voss' lecture on PTSD, Moral Injury, and Recovery, his book, and documentary film - Almost Sunrise.

Seminars will be featured regarding Lethal Means and Risk Reduction; What happens when you request a law enforcement welfare check; How to talk to kids about Post Traumatic Stress Disorder; SSG Fox Veteran Suicide Prevention Toolkit for Health Care Providers; Veterans, Service Members, and Family Expos, Peer Support Programs, and Alternative PTSD Therapies, and a panel discussion with veterans and their family members regarding reintegration into civilian life.

This event was made possible through funding from the VA's Staff Sergeant Parker Gordon Fox Suicide Prevention Grant and the Bingham Foundation Grant. Lunch will be provided, and attendees are eligible for contact hours for continuing education for licensure.

Register today for this free event at: https://conferences.usm.maine.edu/.../Regist.../Welcome.aspx

Homeless Veterans Mobile Stand Down Dates Announced

The Maine Bureau of Veterans' Services and community partners will be hosting Mobile Stand Downs beginning on October 2nd in Portland. These events are focused on assisting homeless and at-risk veterans with housing resources, benefits, healthcare services, employment opportunities, personal care items, winter clothing, haircuts, food, and more.

• October 2: Hannaford (295 Forest Ave, Portland)

• October 9: Veterans Memorial Park (2-20 Main Street, Lewiston)

• October 23: Tri-County Career Center (45 Oak Street, Bangor)

• October 30: Mill Park (2-23, ME-104, Augusta)

If you know a veteran who is homeless or at-risk of becoming homeless and is need of assistance, please contact our Homeless Veterans Coordination Team at 207-287-7019 or email HVC.MaineBVS@maine.gov

2024 Maine's Hire-A-Vet Campaign

Join us this year as Maine’s Hire-A-Vet Campaign celebrates over 10 years of serving Veterans across the state.

Meet with over 160 employers and resource providers looking to hire YOU or provide valuable services you’ve earned through military service. If you are looking for your first job after the military or perhaps a career upgrade, this event is for you.



• August 15, 2024 | 10:30 am to 3:00 pm | Augusta Civic Center:
• Opening Ceremony and Hiring Event – REGISTRATION DEADLINE IS AUGUST 7, 2024

• September 26, 2024 | 11:00 am to 3:00 pm | University of Maine-Presque Isle:
• Inside Hiring Event – REGISTRATION OPENS August 16, 2024

• October 17, 2024 | 11:00 am to 3:00 pm | Poland Spring Conference Center:
• Inside and Outside Hiring Event – REGISTRATION OPENS September 19, 2024

• November 22, 2024 | 11:00 am to 3:00 pm | York County Community College:
• Inside Hiring Event – REGISTRATION OPENS October 18, 2024

If you are an employer wishing to attend the Opening Ceremony and hiring event in Augusta, you can register at MHAV 2024 Augusta Event Registration. Continue to check back as event information is frequently updated. 

You can also email us at MaineHireAVet.DOL@maine.gov if you have questions. Thank you and we look forward to you participating in one or several events.



Retiree Activity Day | August 17th

Attention retirees, grey area retirees, and their families!

You are cordially invited to the 26th Annual Northern New England Military Retiree Activity Day, Saturday, August 17th from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Maine National Guard Joint Forces Headquarters (Camp Chamberlain) located at 23 Blue Star Avenue in Augusta.

The Maine Bureau of Veterans' Services will be in attendance along with many services and vendors covering estate planning, healthcare information, survivor benefits, burial information, Maine Veterans Homes, ID card renewals and DEERS, and other retiree benefits.

For more information, please contact Andrei Mellits (SFC) at 207-430-5920 or andrei.s.mellits.mil@army.mil

Jaime Robichaud of the Maine Bureau of Veterans' Services joined our friends from the Maine National Guard on the Voice of Maine, George Hale Ric Tyler Show to speak about the upcoming event. Listen to the rewind here.

August 9 (Recreation): Healing Art with Lori. 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. 207 Parkview Ave., Bangor, ME.

August 15 (Hiring event): Maine's Hire-A-Vet Kick-off Event. 10:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Meet with over 160 employers and resource providers looking to hire YOU or provide valuable services you’ve earned through military service. If you are looking for your first job after the military or perhaps a career upgrade, this event is for you. Open to all job seekers! Augusta Civic Center.

August 17 (Resource Fair): Retiree Activity Day. 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Available assistance navigating retirement for retirees, grey area retirees, and their families. Assistance with estate planning, healthcare information, veterans and survivor benefits, burial information, and much more. Maine National Guard Headquarters, 23 Blue Star Ave., Augusta, ME.



August 17 (Motorcycle Ride): Ride for Maine Veterans Project. 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Ride will begin at Canyon Networks in Newport and end at Mossy Ledge Distillery in Etna. $20 per rider, $30 with passenger.

August 18 (Recreation): Paintball at Maine Military Supply. 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Join the Maine Veterans Project for a fun afternoon of paintball. Masks and rental fees are covered. Veterans are welcome to bring a guest of choice. 179 Main Street, Holden, ME.

August 25 (Concert): U.S. Navy Band in Concert. 3:00 p.m. Free and open to the public as part of Freeport's Veterans Recognition Day. Memorial Park in Freeport. For more visit meetinghousearts.org

September 11 (Symposium): Supporting Veterans' Resilience Symposium. 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Sponsored by the Maine Bureau of Veterans' Services and NAMI Maine. Featuring Iraq War Combat Veterans and Mental Health Healing Advocate, Tom Voss as the Keynote Speaker. University of Southern Maine, Portland Campus, Hannaford Hall. Register for free here.

September 11 (Grand Opening): Southern Maine Community College (SMCC) Veterans Resource Center Grand Opening & Ribbon Cutting. 5:00 p.m. SMCC will unveil their new Veterans Resource Center, the first community college to have a dedicated space for Veterans Affairs which provides academic support, guidance navigating the GI Bill, computer access, and opportunity to connect with current and alumni veterans.

September 22 (Recreation): Paintball at Maine Military Supply. 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Join the Maine Veterans Project for a fun afternoon of paintball. Masks and rental fees are covered. Veterans are welcome to bring a guest of choice. 179 Main Street, Holden, ME.