The elections are over, time to move on. Hopefully in a new direction. Been a busy week. Gil and I attended the Republican Caucus, Senate and House. Now that we have new leaders in the Senate, we’ll have to sit back and wait. The House Republicans have a lot of new faces. Good news for us veterans. New legislators who are veterans.

Gil and I along with David Patch (Boothbay Harbor) attended the Democratic House Caucus. Again lots of new faces. A good thing for the people of Maine. Lots of women legislators.

Where are we headed? Depends a lot on the leadership in both chambers — Republicans and Democrats. Will they find common ground? Will they represent their constituents? (We the people) or will they hold the line on their party core issues? A quote from Barry Hobbins, state legislator from Saco, who said a constituent of his said, “Stop talking at us, start talking to us.” Isn’t that what we all want.

I read with interest an article, “A Political Solution” in The Times Record (Wed. Nov. 12) by Gina Hamilton. Be nice if we could send a copy to everyone of our legislators. Let them sink their teeth into it, digest it, and guess what? We’d see a big change in our state politics.

Veterans Day Nov. 11, 2014. A very successful program with excess of 80 people in attendance. The volunteers who worked on the program (too many to list) are to be thanked for all you did. Read Rich and myself sincerely thank you all. You know who you are so reach back and give yourself a pat on the back. Also John from The Times Record for great coverage on the days events. Thanks John.

Holidays are upon us. A time for thanks. A time for giving and a time for caring. We can find somewhere that we can offer to volunteer, help our elderly, the less fortunate, the disadvantaged, our disabled. We can make this a holiday for all to remember.

Lots of things happening on the VA side of things. We need to reach out to women veterans. Those returning from the current war. We all need to understand how men and women are impacted by military service and deployment.

Such differences we should be aware of include health care, military sexual trauma, education, transition assistance, employment, disability compensation, housing and culture change. And lets not forget women are among those listed as homeless veterans.

My friend Gil Ormsby and I will be with our governor today. The governor will present Gil’s friend Ted with some long overdue medals from the Korean War. Lost in the shuffle, no record of Ted being in Korea, Gil brought it to our attention and after a year’s work by friend Tony Cincotta (Berwick), Gil’s persistence for his friend Ted has paid off. Hat’s off to Tony Cincotta.

On Thursday of this week (Nov. 20), Gil and I will be meeting with the Speaker of the House Mark Eves to discuss upcoming legislation and things of interest to our veterans.

Mick Devin, legislator from Damariscotta, will put together a list of veterans serving in the 127th Session of our Legislature. We hope to have a very energetic and voiceful veterans caucus.

Back to this year’s election. Veterans from across the state have called me to let me know of the large turnout of veterans for voting.

The coffee crows is kinda quiet, mostly made up of Navy guys. We still hear a lot of sea stories. Ya know this is no — Dante is back from Jersey with good voice. Still a lot of cheer for the patriots.

Till the 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.