I’d like to start with my personal opinion about Sen. King’s below the belt decision on Eliot Cutler. Mr. Cutler, with friends like King, you don’t need enemies. To my fellow veterans, you all know what happens to someone who deserts in the line of fire. Think about it. Once again, this opinion is mine and not that of any veterans’ organization, including the MCVC.

On Saturday, Oct. 25, I had a press conference with TV stations and a group of newspaper reporters again. I called for this press conference — me and only me — to clear the air about all the misleading comments about Governor Paul LePage and his First Lady, Ann. The First Lady does not only hold “ice cream socials” — tell that to the family who lost a loved one in the military. She visits to console the loved ones — tell that to the family who receives a Blue Star Service Banner to hang in their window to let everyone know they are proud of a loved one serving in the military. She also presents a personally-signed letter to the family. She is one who truly cares about our veterans, their families and survivors. Also our National Guard and Reservists and their families, and it goes without saying she cares about our active duty military and their families.

When people say the governor doesn’t do anything for veterans in Maine, they must be living in Washington, D.C., or in a cave somewhere outside of Maine. The governor does all he can do to help veterans and our servicemembers in the National Guard, Reserves and active duty military — and their families. Remember, his efforts through the state legislature are at the mercy of the legislators. And I can’t find any legislation for veterans that he has vetoed.

I made the above statements at the press conference. Did I make it through it alone? No. I thank my many friends who showed up to give me the moral support I needed. Was I nervous? Yes, yes, yes. Emotional? You bet. But my friends being there in front of me and behind me got me through it. Three guys even came down from Pittsfield to be with me. Folks, I can’t thank my friends enough. I’ll add that the LePages’ are wonderful, dedicated, caring people. Okay, enough of that, but I have also had a couple of interviews on radio talk shows and received lots of good comments from around the state.

Congratulations are in order for Mark Farmer, of Topsham, who won a cord of firewood in a raffle put on by Brunswick’s Legion Post 20. Also, congrats go out to Post 20 member Joanne McMahon, who is a ‘6 Who Care’ winner. I hope you watched that award on channel 6 last Wednesday night. From all of us in Post 20, you make us proud Joanne!

My friend, Gil, and I had a 4-hour class on VA benefits last week. Lots of things are changing (it’s a computer world today); we’ll try to keep you up to date. If you are a veteran and living on less than $1,000 an month, or a survivor with low income, please call the Mid-Coast Veterans Resource Center at 406- 4103. Also at the Center on the evening of Nov. 12, an acupuncturist will conduct a trial healing session. Veterans and their families interested in taking advantage of this free service should call the Center.

Gil and I recently went to the Republican headquarters in Brunswick and listened to the Governor and had a chat with the First Lady. While there, we got to meet Mark Holbrook, a very interesting candidate for House District 50 with all kinds of credentials that we need to help our returning Iraq/Afghanistan veterans.

Meanwhile, no fanfare, no ‘breaking news,’ no publicity, but the governor and First Lady came to Brunswick last week to visit Juanita. She’s an 85 year old Korean War veteran who is going through some health problems. They spent a half hour in her living room conversing about all kinds of stuff. About six months ago, Juanita had coffee at the Blaine House and made friends with our First Lady.

The 2015 Cost of Living Allowance (COLA) increase for military retirees, Social Security recipients and recipients of other government pensions and benefits programs, has just been officially set at 1.7 percent. Recipients of military retirement pay and Social Security benefits will see the COLA increase take effect with their January 2015 payment. According to the SSA website, federal SSI payment levels will also increase by 1.7 percent effective for payments made for January 2015. But, because the normal SSI payment date is the first of the month and January 1 is a holiday, SSI payments for January will be made at the end of December.

The Coffee Crowd has been quiet. Dante and Jim are still making noise, but most others have mellowed out a bit. Dante’s advice for the governor is “keep going with what you’re doing.” Jim added, for all the candidates, “Maine is not for sale.”

Everyone, remember our fallen heroes — don’t let their sacrifices be in vain. Make every attempt to get out and vote on Tuesday. Do you have a neighbor who might need a ride to the polls… maybe that elderly person who lives near you?

Finally folks, this column is producing so many good results, and I have a lot of people to thank for that.

‘Til next week (win or lose), we’ll be here. Keep the faith.

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