The Maine Army National Guard announces promotions to the ranks specified below for the following area soldiers:

Pfc. Christopher Bartlett, Fryeburg, Detachment 2 Company D, 3/142nd Aviation;

Pfc. Victoria Blanchard, Portland, 488th Military Police Company;

Sgt. Andrew Bouchard Sr., Kennebunk, 251st Engineer Company (Sapper);

Staff Sgt. Adam Buckley, Sabattus, Detachment 1, 136th Engineer Company;

Staff Sgt. Mark Connor, Lewiston, Recruiting & Retention Battalion;

Maj. Shanon Cotta, Alna, Joint Force Headquarters;

Staff Sgt. Brian Dickerson, South Berwick, Detachment 2, 1136th Transportation Company;

2nd Lt. Jeffrey Dutremble, Biddeford, Joint Force Headquarters;

Sgt. Christopher Everest, Cape Porpoise, 262nd Engineer Company;

Pfc. James Grecenko Jr., Lewiston, 152nd Maintenance Company;

Staff Sgt. John Hobbs II, Portland, 262nd Engineer Company;

Spc. Tyler Jordan, Scarborough, Detachment 1, 262nd Engineer Company;

Spc. Raymond Lynds, Windham, 262nd Engineer Company;

Pfc. Zachary Mackeil, Gorham, 262nd Engineer Company;

Sgt. Joshua Mello, Sanford, Detachment 1, 1136th Transportation Company;

Pfc. Everett Perry, Boothbay, 152nd Maintenance Company;

Pfc. Ryan Tarvers, Standish, 262nd Engineer Company;

Pfc. Aaron Thiboutot, Windham, Company B, 3/172nd Infantry (Mountain);

Spc. Jeffery Waters, Limerick, 251st Engineer Company (Sapper).

SCORE is offering free and confidential small-business counseling for Maine veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan with more than 90 days of active duty service. To schedule an appointment with a certified business mentor and/or to sign up for a free workshop, veterans should call SCORE from 8:30 a.m. to noon weekdays at 772-1147 or email info@scoremaine.com.

The Third Marine Division Association is open to membership for those who served with, or in direct support of, the division. Contact Ray Kelley at 508-459-9937 for details or an application.

The annual Northern New England Military Retiree Day will be held from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Aug. 3 at the New Hampshire National Guard Support Facility, 26 Regional Drive, Concord. The event is sponsored by the Northern New England Retiree Council and National Guards from Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont. All retired members of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps and Coast Guard will be provided information about legal aid, health care, survivor benefits and Veterans Administration services, including cemeteries and veterans’ homes. The event is free, except for lunch. Call Col. (Ret.) Frank Musmanno at 603-495-3042 for additional information.