Every morning, a group of local veterans meet at our local McDonald’s for coffee. Topic of conversation: Politics. Five are definitely for Gov. LePage, one for Michaud and the other four haven’t said.

I have been working with and for veterans and their families for over 40 years. Many times these people need Congressional help obtaining disability compensation, pensions, medals, death benefits, etc. They sign a release form for a Congressional staffer and ask for their help. Of course, Congressman Michaud has helped a lot of veterans and their families over the years. But so have Sen. Collins, Sen. King and Congresswoman Pingree, and before them many past members of Maine’s Congressional delegations. Hey, that’s their job — looking out for their constituents.

I don’t think that people realize that we veterans are the responsibility of the U.S. government. After all, we are/were GIs ( Government Issue). We depend on our Congressional people to fight for our benefits. Is that different from our state legislators? Of course it is. The state of Maine ain’t responsible for healthcare, pensions, burials, etc.

Through the years, the governor and the state legislature have worked to provide the veterans of Maine with things to make life a little easier: Veterans homes, cemeteries, free fishing/ hunting licenses, a small exemption on our property taxes, etc. I have had the pleasure of working with seven of our past governors and their first ladies. All have been very supportive of Maine’s veterans. But Governor LePage and First Lady Ann have truly gone the extra mile. Neither one of them has ever refused to attend one of our functions here in Brunswick or elsewhere in the state.

People who have read our papers have formed an opinion the governor is mean spirited, Wrong! I have personally witnessed our governor among veterans and never have I heard him politick. It’s always “Thanks, thanks for your service,” “We owe you,” “Thank you for our freedom,” and “Thanks for your service and sacrifice.” I’ve watched tears well up in his eyes when presenting the Purple Heart to veterans or when he recognizes a family who had a family member killed in the war.

I spend three and sometimes four days a week in Augusta while our legislature is in session. I don’t see a lot of other people there. So I ask myself, “How or where do they get their info to write letters to the editor?” How about the public workshops or public hearings when legislative committees meet — again, where are these people who take on our governor? Think about it.

I’ve finished my coffee, so, ‘til next time, thank you.

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Chick Ciciotte is the legislative chair of the Mid-Coast Veterans Council. He lives in Topsham.