On Sunday, Sept. 27, all roads will lead to the Cumberland Fair for Veterans Appreciation Day. Opening ceremonies will start at 10:30 a.m. The National Guard’s elite Color Guard will post our colors. Seven-year-old Graci Gillen will sing our National Anthem. Opening prayer will be offered by the Legion’s State Chaplain, Matt Jabout and veteran Eileen Krawczyk will lead the gathering in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Speakers will include Amedeo “Dao” Lauria, VSO, Legion, Togus, State of Maine Adjutant Gen. Gerry Bolduc, Navy Seal Chris Tyll, First Lady of Maine Ann LePage and Gov. Paul LePage. A POW/MIA Empty Chair Ceremony will be conducted by Read Rich, Director of Mid-Coast Veterans Resource Center, (Brunswick Landing.

A fun-filled program will follow the opening ceremony. Jessica Flaherty will present a horse demonstration in front of the grandstand. A free lunch will be served to our veterans. Racing drivers will be present to sign autographs, father and son driving championship veterans raffles, jackets at the race for Maine table. Guest George Teague Jr., one of the leading harness race drivers in the country will be there to greet veterans. A special ceremony to honor State Reps. Jonathan Kinney, Limington, and Mike Timmons, Cumberlandm as American Legion’s Legislators of the Year will be presented by State Commander of the Legion, Ron Rainfrette and Gov. LePage. This will be followed by more raffles, give-aways, and 50/50 drawing. All donations and raffle proceeds will go to support the Beal House, which is a hospitality house at Togus.

Admission for veterans with proper ID will be free. Special parking for wheelchair veterans will be available as well as transportation from the parking area to the grandstand area for those disabled veterans. It will be a day filled with fun and excitement. There will be awards, prizes, and presentations to honor our men and women who kept us safe while serving our country. See you at the Fair.

Beal House

Beal House, a guest house at Togus which helps to ease veterans concerns while they are hospitalized at Togus by providing free temporary lodging and meals for immediate family members. Fourteen veterans organizations share the approximately $2,000 a month maintenance and operational costs.

Women Veterans

Women who have served in the Armed Forces are eligible for a variety of veterans benefits. Veterans Administration actively encourages women to utilize the benefits due them. Female Veterans can call the Mid-Coast Veterans Resource Center in Brunswick. Call (207) 426-4103 and talk to Read Rich or Paul Loveless to receive information or help to access their benefits.

The VAMC Togus Women’s Health Program target programs and facilities to meet the unique needs of female veterans. Services offered include: Gynecology services, breast exams and mammography,

Reproductive Health Care, menopause treatment, osteoporosis, cancer screening, high cholesterol treatment, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) treatment, Diabetes prevention and treatment, Flu vacine, high blood pressure treatment and prevention, treatment for obesity, smoking cessation, and Military Sexual Trauma (MST) treatment. Patients will be referred to other VA facilities or community for any service not available through the VA Health Care System.

Mental Health Services, including treatment for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) are also available for women. Treatment for substance abuse is available, as well as for sexual problems, tubal ligation, urinary incontinence, and others. Rehabilitation, Homebound, and Long-Term Care; VA referrals are given to those in need of rehabilitation therapies such as physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech-language therapy, exercise therapy, recreational therapy and vocational therapy. Homebound and Long-Term Care services are available as well, limited to those meeting specific requirements.

VA Maine Contact Info: Laronda Harris, RN, Women Veterans Program Manager, (207) 623-8411 Ext. 4017, toll free: (877) 421-8263 Ext. 4017

LD1280

Education/Communication is what’s needed to get this legislation passed. A casino in southern Maine is absolutely good for our state, since it provides not only financial assistance, but numerous employment opportunities. Think about it — the cascade offered by the casino operator estimated county where slots are located $1,376,000. That would help the county sheriffs, county government, taxes etc. How about municipalities where slots are located $1,376,000 would be a nice relief for municipal government! Once again — a win — win for Maine.

Maine Seniors Day

While sitting in the doctor’s office I came across a magazine, Maine Senior. The publisher’s comment caught my eye — Maine Seniors Day, Sept. 12th. That’s gone by, but we still have some Sept. left. In the song “The September of my Years,” crooner Frank Sinatra – remember him? — sang these lyrics, “One day you turn around and it’s summer, next day you turn around and it’s fall, and the springs and winters of a lifetime, whatever happened to them all?” It seems especially true here in Maine — summers are short and seem to fly by so, seniors enjoy the mild weather of Septembery! Next year we’ll remember Senior Day on the second Saturday of the month.

Coming Events

• American Legion Post 20, meeting, 6 p.m. Sept. 23, post home, 1 Columbus Drive, Brunswick.

• Mid-Coast Veterans Council, meeting, 6 p.m Sept. 24 at Mid- Coast Veterans Resource Center.

• 8th District American Legion, meeting, 1 p.m. Sept. 27 at Smith- Tobey Post 21, Bath.

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