Many thanks to those who responded to last weeks column, “keep up the good work” and to the young vet (Afghanistan) who stopped me at a local convenience store. Yes, we will continue to fight for you and others who defended our freedoms in Iraq and Afghanistan. You all deserve it, you’ve all earned it.

A group of Maine Legionnaires will be headed to Washington to meet with our congressional people. We have asked them to put pressure on King, Collins, Poliquin and Pingree to get some of the $62 million directed to Maine to help with the benefits for our new generation of veterans for things like housing for our homeless veterans, counseling for PTSD, TBI, and other illnesses. It’s absolutely wrong to ask our veterans to go to Massachusetts for treatment and recovery.

Defense budget

Funds for people and weapons, sustaining future years of defense budgets at levels required to meet mission and readiness needs, maintaining military manpower, replacing and upgrading weapons equipment worn out from many years of war and treating military people fairly are not mutually exclusive. A nation still in conflict must meet funding needs for both people and weapons, rather than sacrificing one or the other.

Family caregivers

A recent Rand Corp. study of caregivers found more than 1 out of 6 of our nations 5.5 million caregivers are caring for post 9/11 veterans. Nearly 40 percent of these caregivers are under the age of 30 and will remain in the role of caregiver for decades to come. Full time caregivers of severely disabled veterans from conflicts prior to 9/11 must be included in the Caregiver Act; services, support and respite care.

More must be done to ensure medical and benefits systems are providing continuity of care and coverage for wounded warriors of all services and components; including reasonable assistance, training, mental health and family — marital counseling, and compensation for their dependents and non-dependent caregivers. DOD and the VA have made progress toward increasing numbers of behavioral health care providers, but timely access to qualified, appropriate mental health intervention and treatment, remain difficult in many DOD and VA medical health care facilities. There is a shortage of mental health care providers and many have little knowledge or understanding of military culture and the unique needs of military families.

Eliminate the SBP/DIC offset

We must continue to fight for full repeal of the deduction of VA Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) from Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) annuities for survivors of service members who died of service connected causes. These are some of the things our Legion group going to Washington need to bring to our Congressional people King, Collins, Poliquin, Pingree. There are many more issues facing our veterans. We’ll talk about them next time.

Access to VA health care

The VA must aggressively implement reforms to assure timely access to quality care most enrolled veterans experience. Changes in leadership in some facilities, recruitment of separating DOD medical professionals, upgrade of medical spaces, and an overhaul of the out-of-date scheduling system are needed. A comprehensive, strategic plan for VA Health Care delivery in the 21st century. The VA must double down on efforts to improve Mental Health Care delivery and address the number of veteran suicides.

LD 1280

Right now we are involved with LD 1280 — a casino in southern Maine, York-Cumberland Counties. The cascade calls for a $14 million annual payment to veterans in Maine, $10 million for our educational programs. Sen. Baker (Topsham) and Sen. Gerzofsky (Brunswick) are very supportive and working very hard to get the legislation passed as well as our area representatives in the House, Rep. Jeff Pierce (Dresden), Brian Hobart (Bowdoinham), Jennifer Dechant (Bath), Joyce McCreight (Harpswell), Denise Teplar (Topsham), Ralph Tucker (Brunswick), Matthea Daughtry (Brunswick), Jeff Evangelus (Friendship), Paul Chase (Durham), Gary Sukeforth (Appleton).

We might have enough support on the House side, but we need more support on the Senate side. Three of our Midcoast senators voted no last time. We need to contact them and ask them to consider a yes vote this time — Sens. Chris Johnson (Lincoln), Catherine Breen (Falmouth), and David Moramant (Knox). Call them, leave a message, ask them to support LD 1280. Tel. number 287- 1515, We need your help. Please do what you can.

Other matters

Lots of things are happening in Augusta. The Commission to strengthen and align services provided to Maine veterans has submitted a comprehensive report recommending an update to increase service to Maine veterans at the Dept. of Veterans Affairs at Camp Keys, Augusta. A bill to address license fees and taxes to non profit organizations (Legion, VFW, Elks, Knights, Masons, FRA etc.) was introduced. The Veterans Committee tabled it until more information is provided. Rep. Mickey Devin (Damariscotta) is working on legislation dealing with veterans and drug issues.

George T. Files, Post 20, American Legion held a commemorative ceremony to honor the four chaplains who went down with their ship the USAT Dorchester during WWII. Forty one people were in attendance including Brunswick Town Manager John Eldridge, Sen. Gerzofsky (Brunswick), Sen. Baker (Topsham), Sen McCreight (Harpswell), and Rep. Tepler (Topsham). Rep McCreight joined by the rest of the Legislative party presented Post 20 Commander Joe Donahue with a Legislative Sentiment recognizing the event.

Coffee Crowd

All Navy Bob picking on all Air Force Chick, Murph looking better, and friend Jim celebrating his 85th Thursday, Feb 18. Happy Birthday. 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.