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If you have information you would like published, plese send it to the MEARNG Retiree Council, Camp Keyes, Augusta, ME 04330 or e-mail it to gmusk@mint.net.
We are constantly trying to update our mailing list to include all MEARNG retirees. If you know any retiree(s) who are not receiving the newsletter, please send their name to a member of the Retiree Council or e-mail us. Please advise us of mailing address changes due to 911. If you do not wish to continue receiving the newsletter, contact a council member.
If you'd like to communicate with other retirees by e-mail, please furnish us your address and we'll publish it in the newsletter.
Mrs. Cathy Griffin, the Health Benefits Advisor at Brunswick Naval Air Station, will present an important TRICARE Briefing at 1300 hours, Saturday, 16 May 1998 at the Waterville Armory. TRICARE is the medical support system which will be replacing CHAMPUS in Region 1 sometime after 1 June 1998. The implementation date in Region 1, which is beyond MEARNG control, has slipped several times; however, the briefing material will not change. This TRICARE briefing is not for retirees over 65 and on MEDICARE. MENG-HRO-AGR will be providing information about subvention studies or the status of FEHB for retirees over 65 via the MEARNG Retiree Council.
Retirees planning to attend the briefing are asked to contact CW4 Roussel at 626-4338 or SFC Buck at 626-4283, MENG-HRO-AGR, NLT 9 May 1998.
Nothing to report at this time. Refer to the current organizational chart published in the last issue.
None announced
Since the 118th Legislature restarted their session in January, there have been a number of acitvities to report which Frank Soares, Director, Maine Veterans' Services, has summarized below.
SUPPLEMENTAL BUDGET. Governor King submitted a Supplemental Budget for all of State Government. Part of that submission was a major addition to the Maine Veterans' Memorial Cemetery. This addition includes $200,000 for land, $40,000 for equipment, 5 additional employees and $199,000 in all other money (operations and maintenance).
This all other money is 10 times more than we had in 1997 and 5 times more than we had in 1998! For the first time in many years, we will have the ability to repair our buildings, roads and grounds. A similar increase has been provided for FY 1999.
The veterans in Maine can take credit for this increase. During the Appropriations Hearings the veteran groups were out in force testifying and trying to convince Legislators of their need. Since then, they have kept up the pressure to insure the need was not forgotten. To all who helped on these critical issues - thank you!
LD 2159, AN ACT TO ESTABLISH AN ADVISORY COMMISSION ON WOMEN VETERANS. This LD will provide an Advisory Commission for the Commissioner. The Commission will advise MG Adams on women's issues and act as a liaison with the hospital at Togus. So far, the LD has come out of Committee with a unanimous "ought to pass". There is a strong possibility it will pass both houses soon. If you know of any highly qyalified female veterans, and they would like to serve, please contact Frank Soares at Maine Veterans' Services. Once has has a complete list, he will forward the names to MG Adams.
LD 2212, AN ACT TO AMEND THE AUTHORITY OF THE ADJUTANT GENERAL TO SELL ARMORIES. The sale of the armories is not an issue of great significance to veterans. However, this bill is going to be amended to require the Commissioner to conduct a study on the feasibility of establishing a branch of the Maine Veterans' Memorial Cemetery in Aroostook County. We will keep you posted as more details become available.
THE GOVERNOR'S WORKING GROUP ON THE AGING VETERAN. The Governor has appointed a group to research, analyze and make recommendations on issues affecting veterans. This 22 person group consists of members from all the major veterans groups and all the major political offices. Frank Soares served as a member and MG Adams is the Chair. In addition, members at large represent veterans as a whole. Presently the group has formed three committees to look at the issues identified in the public hearings. A report will be submitted to Governor King by May 30, 1998.
MAINE VETERANS' SERVICES. The folowing is an update by Frank Soares on the progress the agency is making. In the Bureau, two major indicators are used to track its progress. The first is recoveries, that is the amount of money brought by the Bureau for veterans. The second is claims filed for veterans. Both of these indicators are measured annually. In FY 94, the year used as a base, the MVS filed 974 claims and recovered $5,433,487. As of this March, 1,917 claims have been made and $16,250,712 recovered in the last twelve months! This is an increase of almost 200% in claims and an increase of almost 300% in recoveries! The Bureau is very pleased with this increase since it was done without any additional people. The Bureau is always open to new ideas and would like to hear any suggestions you may have.
Maine ARNG Retiree Gathering - The MEANRG Retiree Council is considering hosting a retiree gathering and requests your input. Please send a letter to: MILITARY BUREAU, HQ, Maine National Guard, Attn: Retiree Council, Camp Keyes, Augusta, ME 04330, or e-mail us. Correspondence should address such things as time of year, location, time of day, type of function and anything else you would like to mention.
Retiree Council Meetings. Generally, the Council meets at 0900 in the TAG conference room, Camp Keyes, Augusta. Following are the 1998 meeting dates:
Who Are Our Oldest Retirees? The Council would like to find our who our oldest retirees are so they may be recognized in the newsletter. If you are in this category please send a note to the Retiree Council at above address. In your note please include your birth date and any other information you would like to share with other retirees, such as, winter and summer locations, years of service, units served in and unit from which you retired.
Military Ball
As reported in the last issue of The Bullet, the MENG has postponed this years' Military Ball from April until October due to the $5.5 million construction project around state headquarters in Augusta.
NGAME Convention
The National Guard Associaton of Maine (NGAME) will be holding its annual meeting in conjunction with the Enlisted Association on 25 April 1998 at the Holiday Inn, Augusta. Holiday Inn is located next to the Civic Center. There will be election of officers and submission and approval of resolutions. Due to construction at the Augusta Armory, no social events are planned. All Maine National Guard retirees are encouraged to attend.
MEARNG Aviation Crewmembers Reunion
A reunion of MEARNG aviation crewmembers is being planned for Saturday 26 September 1998 at the 112th Armory, Bangor, Maine. The reunion is for all current and past aviators, crewchiefs, medics, technical inspectors, flight surgeons and any one else who wore wings. All known aviation crewmembers will soon receive an invitation which will include all pertinent information. The reunion committee asks all crewmembers to pass the word. Please be sure your address is on file and current with the Army Aviation Support Facility in Bangor. The AASF number is 207-947-6593.
Romain Savoie
Gautrey Musk
Albert White, Jr.
James Laflin
Donald Laflin
Edward Davis
Nathan Grass
Robert Weymouth
Douglas Welsh, Jr.
Martin Asdourian
Sponsored by
Come and join us
August 29, 1998--8:00am to 4:00pm
At the
National Guard Armory
771 Canal Street
Manchester, New Hampshire