Military service has taught us to never leave one of our own behind. The time has come for veterans to stand up and be counted. The time has come for us to take care of those being left behind. Our newest generation of veterans (Iraq, Afghanistan) are not being treated in the right way. It seems like they’re being pushed to the back burner. Things like confirmation hearings, congressional studies, budget hearings and re-election campaigns are more important than taking care of those who have borne the battle. In the recent issue of the military officers magazine a quote from Sen. Johnny Isakson, chairman of the Veterans Affairs Committee, who identified challenges facing the V.A., including the signature injuries of traumatic brain injury and post traumatic stress among veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as veterans recovering from traumatic injuries that would have been fatal in other wars; gap in service between DOD and V.A.; increasing number of female veterans requiring gynecological care; and the over prescription of opiates and other medications, which he characterized as “far too much therapy through pills, not enough therapy through human beings.” Isakson cited an ultimate goal of helping wounded veterans transition to a “peaceful, productive and happy life” and, to that end making sure all resources are made available to veterans seeking assistance: “no help is not an option,” he said.

We are putting together a panel of people to discuss mental health, behavioral health (TBI-PTSD) homelessness, female veteran problems (sexual trauma), transitioning problems facing veterans (military to civilian) employment, focus on caregivers and families sounds like a lot to get done. Another quote “everybody in America serves, you either go serve our country in the military or serve those who served when they come home. Not because they’re broken, but because that’s the American thing to do. Working together we can get the job done. Hopefully this kind of symposium will identify and solve many of these problems facing todays generation of veterans.

Legislative goals

Legislative goals we are looking at:

• Support legislation to remove the offset of Survivors Benefit Plan (SBP) payments and V.A. Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC).

• Support services for caregivers of all severely wounded, injured and ill veterans.

• Support enhanced medical services and benefits for female veterans.

• Ensure proper screening and treatment for TBI and PTSD mental health issues.

• Support national dialogue with the Federal and State Governments, employers and unions to establish processes for military training to meet civilian licensure and certification requirements.

• Support veterans preference in public employment.

• Support outreach and employment of women veterans.

• Support the continued growth of the veterans treatment courts.

The American Legion Legislative Committee met Dec. 21st to discuss an agenda for the upcoming year (2016) points of interest:

• End strength / National Guard. Purpose: to evaluate the Congressional decision to change the mission of the National Guard from a strategic reserve to an operational reserve organization post 9/11.

• Reciprocal gun carry laws. Purpose: to discuss the issue of making each state that has a right to carry law accepted in all states.

• Agent Orange Presumptive. Purpose: to require the secretary of the V.A. to continue to evaluate the cause of death for Vietnam veterans who were exposed to Agent Orange and following the criteria used to place the current list of presumptive illnesses and those diseases, illnesses, or injured as appropriate.

• Care for Homeless Veterans: Purpose: for the MVCC to better understand the process of getting healthcare, especially mental healthcare and welfare benefits for homeless vets.; and if adequate, make the appropriate effort to rectify it.

• Vocational Rehab. process and accessibility. Purpose: Vocational Rehab. in Maine is not easily accessible to many veterans.

Property Tax Exemption for Veterans

Starting April 1, Vietnam veterans who served on active duty between Feb. 27, 1961, and May 8, 1975, become eligible for a property tax exemption of $6,000. Previously a Vietnam Veteran had to serve on active duty for at least 180 days during the period to be eligible for the exemption (Maine Revenue Services, Bulletin No.7) Also eligible are veterans who served during Operation Enduring Freedom, a period defined as beginning on Oct. 7, 2001 and ongoing. Also, Operation Iraqi Freedom, Mar. 19, 2003 and ending Aug. 31, 2010, and Operation New Dawn Sept. 1, 2010 ending Dec. 15, 2011. Call your town assessor to find out about your eligibility. Note: next week we will continue with qualifying spouses.

Coffee Crowd

Jim and Murph want a copy of the book “If you’re riding a dead horse, get off.” Denny’s doing OK still undergoing therapy. Gil is back, talking Legion programs. Dan is back home recovering. Congrats to Commander Joe Donahue and Post #20, Brunswick American Legion for 100 percent membership five years in a row and also a National Excellence Award.

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.