Retiree Newsletter Jul-Aug 1997

Published By the MEARNG Retiree Council

Volume 2, Issue 4

Commentary:

This is the fifth Retiree Newsletter. Our purpose is to keep you informed and provide you a continuing sense of belonging to the Guard after retirement. We hope the newsletter helps accomplish that purpose. Let us know what you think of the newsletter and how we can improve it. We value your opinion. If you have information you would like published please send it to the Retiree Council, Camp Keyes, Augusta, ME 04330.

We are continually 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 at mvs@mint.net. If you do not wish to continue receiving the newsletter, contact a council member.

At the recent meeting of the Retiree Council, it wa decided to publish the Newsletter three times a year - Dec, Apr & Aug. the Council will continue meeting every other month.

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.

Information is furnished through various sources. Please advise of any errors or omissions to the Council.

RETIREMENT BENEFITS

The Newsletter has been informed that the Commissary in Bangor will remain open. this is an important issue to retired guard members in Northern Maine and we will attempt to keep you informed of any changes.

TRI-CAREwill take on new significance next year. Information meetings are planned for retirees next spring. We will keep you informed as to where and when.

ORGANIZATION

As of 01 Aug 97, a battalion level Troop Command (29 persons) was organized as a Command and Control Headquarters. It will command separate units below battalion size. It will come under the command of Troop Command and be co-located at the AFRS in Bangor.

On 06 Sep 97, a ceremony to fold the flag on the 286 S&S Bn, will take place at the Augusta Armory. We salute all current and former officers and members of the 286, especially for their service during Desert Storm.

Recruiting - NGB has given the MeARNG a Mission strength of 2,365 to be reached by 31 Dec 97. At the present time, this number has been surpassed and strength stands 2,375. Jul 97 was the best recruiting month since 1988.

Recent or Anticipated Change of Commands

None announced

TRANSITIONS

Retirements

COL Marvin Milbury HHD STARC Jun 97

COL Donald Laflin HHD STARC Jul 97

LTC Mike Gray HHD STARC Jul 97

MSG Norman Theberge HHD STARC May 97

SFC Patrick Corr HHD STARC Apr 97

SFC Robert Irvine OSACOM Det May 97

SGT Donald Crossman Det 1/314 Mar 97

SSG Lawrence Labonte 152d Maint Co Mar 97

SSG Sterling Levesque Svc/1/152d FA May 97

SGT Kenneth White B/133d Engr Bn May 97

SGT Timothy Towle Det 1/133d Jul 97

SGT Robert Cummings HSC/133d Engr Bn Apr 97

SGT Stephen Foss Det 1/HSC/133d Apr 97

Taps

No obituaries reported

Other-None

LEGISLATIVE ACTION -None

Veterans Corner

VETERANS CORNER

On August 5, 1997, various veterans groups and individuals conducted a rally at the Togus VAMROC to express their concern for the reductions taking place at that facility. Approximately 300 veterans attended and representatives from all the Congressional Offices were there a well as MG Adams and Frank Soares, Director of Maine Veterans' Services.
Because of the above meeting and many other complaints, Governor King sent a letter to Acting Secretary of Veteran Affairs Gober expressing his views and asking for the Secretary's personal intervention.
The change over of offices from Belfast to Sanford (207-324-2763) has been accomplished. business is growing in Sanford and it appears that locating with the Vet Center was a good choice. The office in Lewiston (207-783-5306) has been moved to the Lewiston Vet Center. By the look of the business there so far, it appears that this will also be a good location.
The web page for the Bureau of Maine Veterans' Services (which was a Division) has recently been modified to reflect these and other recent changes. If you have any suggested modifications, plese contact them at MVS@mint.net.
The Chapel at the Cemetery has had the roof recently redone. Work has also been started inside to accomplish a significant amount of interior water repairs.
Interesting facts re: MVMC: total burials - 10,523; reservations (means family member is already buried and someone has reserved a plot next to them) - 4,682; certificates of eligibility (veteran who indicates that they, and usually their spouse, wants to be buried) - 6,6444. This equates to a commitment to Maine's veterans of up to 28,493 burial plots. This office is currently trying to acquire some additional land to handle this large commitment.
The hunt continues for an Executive Director for the Maine Veteran's Homes. The second announcement was made and we start interviewing those people next week. With luck, a new director will be on board by October.

MISCELLANEOUS

Maine ARNG Retiree Gathering - The MeARNG retiree council is considering the idea of hosting a retiree gathering in the future. The council requests input as to your desires. Plese send a letter to: MILITARY BUREAU, HQ, Maine National Guard, Camp Keyes, Augusta, ME 04330, Attn: Retiree Council. The letter should address such things as time of year, location, time of day, type of function and anything else you would like to mention.
Life Membership in Guard Association - Many retirees have asked how to become life members of the Maine National Guard Association (NGAME) and the Naitonal Guard Association of the United States (NGAUS). Here is how. Send a request for a life membership application ot the MILITARY BUREAU, HQ MENG, Camp Keyes, Augusta, ME 04333, ATTN: LTC Donald Grinnell. Current fees for retiree life membership are: NGAME $50.00 and NGAUS $125.00.

Women in Military Service for America Memorial - (WIMSA) be dedicated 08 Aug 97. The memorial was authorized by congress in 1986 to honor the 1.8 million women serving or who have served in the Armed Forces. 8,200 women in the State of Maine are eligible of which 762 have been registered in the data base. The heart of the Memorial will be a computerized database, which will feature individual records of women who have served inthe military. The goal is to have all women register their military experience in the databse.

Notify the WIMSA Memorial thru: Women in Military service for America Memorial Foundation, Inc., Dept 560, Washington, DC, 20042-0560 - 0-800-222-2294 - www.wimsa.org/pug/wimsa-e-mail:wimsa@aol.com.

For assistance, contact: CPT Rosemary Kaszubowski, PO Box 563, Bar Mills, ME 04004; SSG Lois Maltais, Box 22, Rummill Rd, Seal Cove, ME 04673; SSG Brenda Vaillancourt, PO Box 286, Brewer, ME 04412.

240th Coast Artillery

Edwin F. Whitney, BG(Ret), MeNG, advises the Newsletter of an organizaiton of 100 members who were associated in some manner with the Harbor Defense of Portland during WWII - specifically in the 240th Coast Artillery Regiment.

Those interested in more information may contact Edwin F. Whitney BG(Ret), MeNG, 61 Ward Circle, Brunswick, ME 04011-9342, telephone 725-4192.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Gov. King and The Loring Development Authority announced on July 18, 1997 the Maine Army Naitonal Guard will open a Vehicle Refurbishment Center at the Loring Commerce Center. The Center will open in Sept 97. The Center will occupy 62,000 sq ft and will initially employ at least 25.

NICE TO KNOW INFORMATION

Thanks to BG Albert White for the following info:

Military Flights from Navy Brunswick (BNAS) Flights eligible for space - A passengers are posted in Operations at BNAS. Persons may call BNAS at 921-2689 (recording) to get the same information as posted in Operations. Retired military are on the bottom of the "Totem Pole" as far as getting a flight. Be prepared to fly commercial if you are bumped.