Maine Government News
Governor Recognizes Women Veterans
July 28, 2010
Governor's Office
AUGUSTA - Governor John E. Baldacci today celebrated Maine’s women veterans at a ceremony to unveil the new Maine Women Veterans Memorial Plaque. The plaque was designed as a result of a resolve passed by the 124th Maine Legislature to create a permanent memorial to women veterans in the State House. The Governor joined women veterans and supporters at a State House event today to unveil the design and to begin the fundraising effort to cover the $24,000 cost of the plaque.
“I am pleased to be here today to honor Maine women veterans and their continuing history of service to our nation,” said Governor Baldacci. “Throughout Maine and U.S. history, the sacrifices of women veterans have been unimaginable. They deserve to have a place in the State House to serve as a reminder of all of the contributions and the personal courage and dedication these women have exhibited.”
The plaque was sculpted by Gary Cooper of Fayette, Maine. It depicts Maine women who served in the military over four centuries. State Rep. Linda Valentino sponsored the resolve to create the plaque and chairs the fundraising committee along with the Maine Bureau of Veterans’ Services. The goal is to have the plaque dedicated in the Hall of Flags at the State House on Veterans Day this November.
“For centuries women volunteered to fight, yet they were not officially recognized as veterans until the 1970s,” said Governor Baldacci. “Maine currently is home to more than 10,000 women veterans. This number is not surprising, because caring for our neighbors and watching out for our community is what Mainers are all about.”
The Maine Veterans Homes, Rep. Valentino and a number of veterans groups contributed checks toward covering the cost of the plaque during the ceremony on Wednesday.
For information about contributing to the Memorial Fund, contact the Bureau of Veterans’ Services at 207-626-4464.
