I’ll start this week by once again thanking The Times Record for allowing me to write this weekly column. The results have been truly better than expected. More and more veterans and their families are getting the word. People are calling me and our local veteran’s resource center. I also got word that veterans are showing up at Togus asking questions. So once again, thank you.

I do agree with The Times Record editorial on Tuesday, Sept. 23rd. Welfare is a big help to those most in need, the elderly, disabled, and children. Back in the 1930s and 1940s, I’d done that, so I know firsthand what it’s all about. Also, in the 1980s while serving as a selectman in Topsham, I was the overseer of the poor and administered the town’s general assistance program. Again I learned firsthand about the cheats, fraud and abuse by the greedy and lazy ones. We do need to clean up this program. Look at what we, the Maine taxpayers, are paying on general assistance alone: $21 million.

My friend, Gil, and I have been traveling the state, talking to people about our homeless veterans program. We are finding out that the state’s homelessness program is much more extensive than we thought. The number of homeless veterans in Maine is as high as 1,800, depending on what agency you talk to. We’re finding that more and more religious groups and local, state, and federal agencies are involved with this program. We’re working with the governor’s staff to locate and identify who is out there helping. The problem with homelessness and other problems is communication. Why don’t people let others know what they are doing?

Gil and I are talking with law and order officials about helping with this problem. We are reaching out to groups for more information. At the town hall meeting at Togus last week, we found out that the VA at Togus has an organized group working with/for homeless veterans. In Bath, we found a group, Vital Connections, who held their fall forum at the UCC church in Bath on Friday. We found out that the Bath ‘Homelessness Collaborative’ meets there monthly. Others include Tedford Housing, Maine State Housing, Housing and Urban Development, and we’re finding more and more organizations as we travel around. As I said, this is much bigger than we thought. But with The American Legion working with the governor’s office we will work to end veterans’ homelessness in Maine before 2016. Also, we’ll work on ending homelessness in Maine, period.

The 17th annual homeless veterans stand down will take place at Togus , from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 18; a van for those needing transportation will depart from the Tedford shelter at 7:30 a.m. For more information, call Maggie at 623-8411, ext. 5408. We will continue to update this information on homelessness as we gather more. Meanwhile, the newly established women’s clinic at Togus is up and running. Female veterans wanting more information about the clinic and its programs can call 623-8411, ext. 4017. Local veterans and their survivors who need help or have questions about benefits can call the Mid-Coast Veterans Resource Center at 406-4103.

The Senate and House passed an increase in veteran’s disability benefits. The cost-of-living increase will match that of social security benefits. The bill now goes to the president for signing. Also, a new VA veteran’s card will be issued to eligible veterans in November. The newly passed Veterans Access to Care Act will fund the change. More next week on that. For our Vietnam veterans there is a Vietnam Veteran Welcome Home ceremony at the Cole Land Transportation museum in Bangor on Oct. 4, at 10am. Volunteers are needed; call 430- 6034 for info.

The Coffee Crowd still gathers at McDonalds on Pleasant Street every morning. Veterans’ issues are our major topic, but some interesting war stories are brought up ala “This is no (lie)…” And the Red Sox/Yankees talk is just memories now. Politics are still a good part of our discussions, including the local races. Dante, back from New Jersey, says to the governor “A new day is coming.” Folks, stay tuned.

‘Till next time, keep the faith.

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Chick Ciciotte is the legislative chairperson for the Mid-Coast Veterans Council. He lives in Topsham.