On Dec. 13, veterans from around the mid-coast region met with their legislators. Following a ‘Meet and Greet’ over coffee and donuts, they attended a session with speakers from various veterans groups. Director of Maine’s Bureau of Veterans Services Peter Ogden led things off with a briefing about the functions of his agency, his staffing shortfalls and needed legislation for funding our state veterans’ cemeteries. He also spoke of the need for more volunteers from veterans groups to serve as veterans’ service officers. Many communities need someone who can meet with veterans and their survivors to explain the benefits available from the Veterans Administration.

Amadeo Lauria, the state’s senior American Legion Service Officer at Togus, spoke of the many benefits available to veterans and their families, as well as veterans-related legislation needed on the state and federal levels. Paul Loveless, Veterans Service Officer at the Mid-Coast Veterans Resource Center, also emphasized the need for getting the word out to our veterans and their families. VA benefits and eligibility for those benefits change frequently — that’s why it is important to pay attention.

I took the opportunity to speak about our “do-nothing Congress. Their two-year session ends in January, with little or no action to help our Iraq and Afghanistan veterans. We the people need to wake up those in Washington. On Friday, I learned that a pending Senate bill to speed up veteran’s access to mental health care — The Clay Hunt SAV Act — was blocked by Sen. Tom Coburn, R- Okla., because “almost everything that’s in this bill has already been authorized and approved with the $10 billion [Veterans Choice Act],” which was passed in August. This is just another example of Congress spinning their wheels; meanwhile, the suicide rate of returning Iraq and Afghanistan veterans is estimated to be 22 a day. Brunswick American Legion Post 20 Service Officer, Rich Kowalczyk, echoed the need for more communication, training and action from Congress.

At this Meet and Greet, a lot of discussion about veterans’ health problems took place. Seventeen state legislators (four senators, 13 house members) attended, and 30 or so veterans.

The legislators asked many questions about possible solutions, and offered their help. Senate Majority Leader Garrett Mason of Lisbon Falls was asked to submit a memorial resolution from the 127th Legislature — to urge the members of the incoming 114th Congress to take positive action to help our Iraq and Afghanistan veterans. Many from Maine have been deployed time and time again. Sen. Stan Gerzofsky of Brunswick will co- sponsor this resolution, along with all the legislators present at the meeting. My opinion is that they are all ready to support Maine veterans; my sincere thanks to them for attending that meeting.

Talk is ongoing about our homeless veterans and the annual Point In Time survey that will occur on January 28. Training sessions have been scheduled, although not in the mid-coast area so far. We hope to have word of an area training session in the immediate future.

Post 20 conducted a veteran recognition ceremony last Friday at Sky- Hy in Topsham. Eight veterans (WW2, Korea, Vietnam, Cold War) received honorable service certificates. Hank Welzel received recognition for his service in Korea. A Purple Heart recipient, Hank was awarded the Silver Star Memorial medal from the state of Maine. Post 20 Chaplain Read Rich presented the awards, assisted by decorated Korean War veteran Gil Ormsby.

Post 20 has also sponsored a Legion baseball team for many years. The cost to support Legion teams has soared over the past few years, and the post is now looking for corporate donations from local businesses for the 2015 season. Interested parties are asked to call Joe Donahue at 725-8431.

Fellow veteran Dan Boland, a dedicated volunteer who is indeed a veteran who helps veterans, is currently rehabbing at the Scarborough veteran’s home. Our thoughts and prayers are with him and his spouse, Else. Meanwhile, from the Coffee Crowd, Jim talked to Dante out in Las Vegas: “All is well, but no winning yet!”

‘ Till next time, keep the faith, and Merry Christmas to all!

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