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Commentary:
This is the tenth Retiree Newsletter, published in Apr, Aug and Dec. 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. Please advise the Council of any errors or omissions.
Information is furnished through various sources. If you have an item you would like considered for publication, please send it to the MEARNG Retiree Council, Camp Keyes, Augusta, ME 04330 or e-mail it togmusk@mint.net or souleda@me-arng.ngb.army.mil.
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 beginning with the next issue.
For the latest information, call CW5 Roussel at 626-4338 or SFC Buck at 626-4283, MENG-HRO-AGR.
Nothing to report at this time.
By Frank Soares, Director of Veterans Services
Now that the 119th Legislature is in session, there are a number of different initiatives affecting veterans in discussion. I will not attempt to list and explain all of the bills affecting veterans but I will try to highlight the more important ones.
LD 20 Taxing on Veterans Pensions. Impact: Makes Veteranspensions nontaxable. Status: Public Hearing March 1.
LD 60 Income Tax Checkoff. Impact: Allows $1 to be given to MVMC. Status: Not scheduled.
LD 89 Study Standardized Service. Impact: Standardize Benefits for all vets. Status: Unanimous, Ought to Pass.
LD 252 Restrict Recreation in Cemetery. Impact: Stops all Recreation in all cemeteries. Status: Not Scheduled.
LD 313 Honorable Discharge Burials. Impact: Allows all Vets to be buried at the MVMC. Status: Unanimous, Ought to Pass.
LD 416 Ensure Maintenance of Headstone. Impact: Fines Towns $200 for failure to maintain. Status: Ought Not to Pass.
LD485 Exempt Military Retirees from State Income Tax. Impact: Self-explanatory. Status: Public Hearing March 1.
LD535Burial at MVMC. Impact: Allows private burials at MVMC anytime. Status: Tabled.
LD 572 Veterans Property Tax Exemption. Impact: Adds $2000 to exemption for estates, Status: Not Scheduled.
LD 668 Amends the Term "Veteran". Impact:Allows all Veterans property tax exemption. Status: Not Scheduled.
LD 773 Require MIA Flag to be Flown. Impact: All State Buildings. Status: Not Scheduled.
LD 873 Maintenance of Veterans Graves. Impact: Combines LD 416 & Others; $500 fine. Status: Hearing February 25.
LD 1022 Funding for Commission on Women Veterans. Impact: Provides $25,000 budget. Status: Not Scheduled.
LD 1253 Creation of Board of Cemetery and Crematory Services. Impact: Creates a Statewide Board: Department recommends MVS to Board. Status: Not Scheduled.
For more information on a bill contact me at 626-4464. For schedule see Legislative Page on Internet or Kennebec Journal.
Togus
The IG report is back on Togus. In general, the hospital fared well. However, there were concerns on times to get appointments and the procedure used to determine these times. The IG did not express an opinion on the USDVA policy of sending veterans to Boston for their appointments.
The budget situation at Togus is still critical regardless of what you might read in the newspapers. They need $5 million to get through this FY. If these funds do not come soon, they might have to take draconian measures to make up their losses by September 30 (end of the FY).
Representative Ben Gilman (NY) has introduced a bill (HR 24) to the US House to make VA health care more accessible to the NE veterans and to level the playing field between the NE and SW. this bill would add 5 to 6% to the budgets in the NE. As of this writing, I am not aware of the position of our Congressional Delegates on this bill.
Maine Veterans Memorial Cemetery (MVMC)
The selection of the Architects and Engineers for the new cemetery has begun. I expect that we will make a selection by early March. The expected cost of this facility is $2.5 million however, some organizations have expressed an interest in participating in some of the facilities. If this happens, the total for the project could reach $3 million.
The Committee researching the need for a cemetery in Aroostook County has completed their work. They recommended an annex be established in the County. A local veteran has assisted this effort by volunteering to donate a local golf course for land. The Legal and Veterans Committee of the 119th Legislature was impressed with the proposal.
Upgrading work is being planned for the existing cemetery for this spring and summer. This work includes asphalt work, expansion of sites and headstone leveling. It is possible that some repair work wil be done on the existing buildings if enough funds can be found.
Maine Veterans' Services
The Veteran Service Officer position in Lewiston has been announced. Boards will be held for this position early in March. It appears at this time that there are a number of highly qualified people available.
Those veterans wishing to apply for compensation for injuries can expect a delay in processing. The Togus Regional Office for Claims (not related to the hospital portion) is presently 900 claims behind. You should probably plan on 6 months between the time you apply and the time a decision is reached. Homeless or destitute veterans applying for compensation or pension are "walked" through the system and are expedited. If you feel that these delays will adversely affect you, please contact one of my offices in Caribou, Machias, Bangor, Waterille, Lewiston or Springvale.
MISCELLANEOUS
Retiree Council Meetings.
The Council meets at 0900 in the TAG conference room, Camp Keyes, Augusta. Any retiree is welcome to attend. 1999 meeting dates are: 20 Apr, 15 Jun, 17 Aug, 19 Oct and 21 Dec.
New Members Needed.Membership is open to retirees of all ranks and gender from all parts of Maine. We would especially like to see more enlisted folks participate. If you, or another retiree you know are interested, please contact a Council member.
Who Are Our Oldest Retirees?We would like to find out 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.
CW4 Nathan F. Ford, 85,retired from HQS, 133rd Engr Bn and now resides in Pembroke Pines, Florida.
LTC Leonard C. Cabana, 88, retired from HQS, 103rd Inf., and now resides at 1 Elm Terrace, Waterville.
1999 NGAME Annual Meeting
Please mark 21 and 22 May 99 on your calendar, rather than 14-16 as previously announced, for the annual meeting of NGAME and the Enlisted Association. See attached.
1999 Armed Forces of the U.S. Retiree Appreciation Day
The Second Annual Armed Forces of the U.S. Retiree Appreciation Day will take place on 14 August 1999 at the Augusta Armory. The event will be sponsored by the Maine National Guard in cooperation with the New Hampshire and Vermont National Guard, the Brunswick Naval Air Station and the Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont Retiree Councils. All military retirees of all branches of the Armed Forces and all reserve components including gray area retirees (under age 60) should plan to attend. You will be able to update ID cards; make address changes; receive legal assistance; prepare wills; and receive information about TRICARE and CHAMPUS, Veterans Administration matters and much more. Additional information will be published in the next newsletter.
Romain Savoie
Gautrey Musk
Albert White, Jr.
James Laflin
Donald Laflin
Edward Davis
Nathan Grass
Robert Weymouth
Douglas Welsh, Jr.
Martin Asdourian
Dean Soule
Annual Conference Information
1. You and your spouse/guest are cordially invited to attend the combined association meeting to be held on 21 & 22 May 1999 at the 112th Armory Building at 345 Filmore St, BIA, Bangor, Maine.
2. This years' meeting is being planned with you and yours in mind. Our intent is to accomplish the business necessary at our meeting, rekindle old friendships and begin new ones. We made every effort possible this year to make this an affordable event for increased participation.
3. The weekends events are as follows:
4. Unfirom for all informal events is casual civilian attire, a suit or sport coat is referred for the banquet. Additional information may be acquired through BG (Ret) Albert White at 442-8734. We look forward to seeing you there!!!
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------Detach here and mail to address listed-----------------------------------------------------------
Name(s) of Attendee(s):______________________________________________.
I/We will participate in the following events on 21-22 May 1999.
Friday Evening Social Yes No (No Cost) NGAME Business Meeting Yes No (No Cost) Golf Tournament Yes No (TBD) River Boat Cruise/Luncheon Tentative) Yes No (TBD) Banquet (Check Payable to NGAME) Yes No $19.00 per person.
MENU: Seafood Newburg, Haddock, Shrimp, Scallops, Roast Top of Round Beef Aus Jus, Baked Potato, Stuffed Chicken Supreme, Green Beans, Salad, Rolls and Desert.
*Please indicate total attendees, events you intend to participate in and send this orm, as well as payment to the below listed address. RSVP NLT 23 April (LTC Blaine may be contacted at 626-4377).
If you are unable to attend, and would like to make a donation to defray the cost of our annual conference, we would sincerely appreciate your contribution. All checks may be mailed to the following address:
National Guard Association of Maine
c/o LTC William Blaine
Camp Keyes, Augusta, ME 04333-0033
Accommodations can be made Howard Johnsons 942-5251 1 Person $40.00 at the following Hotels: Fairfield Inn 990-0001 1-4 Person $53.10 Days Inn 942-8272 1-4 $52.00 Pine Tree Inn 942-2081 1 Person $12.00 Ramada Inn 947-6961 Roadway Inn 942-6301 Super 8 945-5681 Motel 6 947-6721
1999 ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION
1 January 1999 - 31 December 1999
Phone: (888) 226-4287 or (202) 408-5880
Fax: (202) 682-9358 Email: members@ngaus.org
Annual Cost $5.00
NAME:______________________________________________RANK:____________SSN:_________________
ADDRESS:__________________________________________________________________________________
CITY:___________________________________________STATE:_______________ZIP:___________________
BRANCH OF SERVICE:_________________________SEX:_______(M/F) DOB:_____/____/____(MM/DD/YY)
STATE AFFL:MaineCURRENT/FORMER ACTIVE ARMED FORCES MBR:________(Y/N)
AMOUNT PAID:__________________Delete my name from any vendor solicitations:________(Y/N)
Make checks payable to NGAME
IMPORTANT:
Contributions or Gifts to NGAUS or NGAME are not tax deductible as charitable contributions.
However, they may be tax deductible as ordinary and necessary business expense.
LIFE memberships: NGAUS Retired members $125/NGAME $50
How to pay:Make checks payable to NGAME for the full amount. NGAME will forward dues to NGAUS. Be sure to include the membership form with your payment, so that we have your home address and other information.
MAKE CHECKS PAYABLE TO:
NGAME
LTC William H. Blaine
Military Bureau
Camp Keyes, 33 SHS
Augusta, ME 04333-0033
1. When you join the Society, you become a part of the effort to preserve Maine's Military History.
2. You are eligible to purchase the "After Action Report" written by Joshua Chamberlain and published by the Society.
3. You receive newsletters highlighting past and future activities of the Society.
4. You become an affiliate of the Society's sponsored Museum.
5. You're personally invited to attend the Societys annual banquet and to hear a nationally renowned speaker on military history.
6. You may be given access to the Museum's reference library.
7. Goals of the Society are:
For any information regarding the Society, membership or museum tours, please write to or call:
I wish to be entrolled as a member of the Society in the category of annual or life membership as indicated below:
[ ] Individual.........................$10.00 [ ] Lifetime.......................$200.00 [ ] Senior.............................$ 8.00 [ ] Charter Lifetime...........$500.00 [ ] Student...........................$ 8.00 [ ] New Member [ ] Family............................$15.00 [ ] Renewal
Name_____________________________________ Street/Box No________________________________________________
City_________________________________________State____________ Zip______________ ___________________
Please Print
9806
February 18, 1999
MEMORANDUM FOR MENG Retirees
SUBJECT: Guidance for Discussions with General Public on Proposed Tuition Assistance Joint Annual Meeting of NGAME & the Enlisted Association
1. The Command Group of the Maine Army National Guard has initiated discussion over the past year, laying the ground work for a proposal for tuition assistance for all soldiers within the MENG. It is their intent to solicit support for the passage of legislation approving reduced tuition rates at our state funded educational institutions. It is extremely important that our discussions with the general public, in particular state legislators, is consistent and accurate. We do not want to inadvertently say or do something that has the potential to jeopardize all the hard work that has been done up to this point in time.
2. We strongly encourage you to solicit support for this proposal from your local legislators. There are a couple of key points we would like you to remember.
3. To make this effort easier, a form letter has been provided for your convenience (one for Representatives, one for Senators). You have two options. The first is to fill in the name of your representatives and senator in the line provided, jot down a personal note at the bottom and sign/mail the document. The second is a bit more work and personal in nature but is a good opportunity to get to know your reps. Call them up on the telephone and use the information provided in the form letter as a guide or "script" for your conversation with him or her. You can follow up your conversation by sending the letter to them with a note at the bottom that says "I really appreciate you taking the time to talk about these things with me when I called you last_____________.
4. Please try not to deviate too much from the information provided in the letter. The most important thing we do is get our message across in a consistent manner. We ask that you provide the widest possible distribution of this material.
Honorable________________________
Maine House of Representatives
#2 State House Station
Augusta, ME 04333-0002
Dear Representative___________________________:
"Hello, my name is____________________________and I am a retired member of the Maine National Guard, currently residing in your district. I am very rpoud to be involved with the National Guard, we have many different missions, some of which include civil actions that support local communities during crisis or emergency situations. You may recall some of the things we did during the Ice Storm of 98.
The reason I am writing you, is to simply ask you for your support. A Guardsman's job is extremely difficult and I sincerely want them to continue doing it. As a result of many Defense Budget cuts, we soldiers are being required to do much more with a lot less. It seems as though people just don't want to put forth the extra effort any more to be a Citizen Soldier. You can't blame them when they have to not only do their job, but sometimes the jobs of others. Did you know their jobs are a lot harder than the jobs of Active Duty Soldiers?......Not only do they hold down full time jobs on the civilian side, but also hold Military positions that require adherence to the same exact high standards the Active Soldiers are held to. The biggest difference though, is the fact that they only have approximately 28 days a year to do this, vs. the Active Soldiers' 365 days. This means that many of them put in a lot of extra time at their units. They call these "FTFs", (For The Flag) days because they don't get paid for the time. To be honest with you, there are fewer and fewer benefits being made available to soldiers today. There is however, one benefit I am very interested in, and one I would request you to support.
"I recall Governor King discussing a significant need for more affordable and accessible education within the State of Maine during his Inaugural Address. I strongly agree with his position. I know there are a lot of members within units that would love to go to school and further their education but they just can't afford it. I have recently been informed that our headquarters in Augusta is trying to submit a legislative proposal that would help provide tuition assistance to National Guard soldiers within the state. I think this is a great idea, and is an excellent opportunity to thank citizen soldiers for all the sacrifices they and their families make. Not only will it help them, but it will also ease the burden of work on many soldiers throughout the state by attracting new members. This would be a great incentive for people to join the National Guard and help our overall strength. A program like this will allow many individuals to achieve their goals, especially those individuals who may not otherwise be able to afford a college education.
"Well, I know you are very busy, I don't want to keep you. I just wanted to write and ask for your support if you happen to see any legislation on National Guard Tuition Assistance.
Respectfully,
Honorable________________________
Maine State Senate
#3 State House Station
Augusta, ME 04333-0003
Dear Senator___________________________:
"Hello, my name is____________________________and I am a retired member of the Maine National Guard, currently residing in your district. I am very rpoud to be involved with the National Guard, we have many different missions, some of which include civil actions that support local communities during crisis or emergency situations. You may recall some of the things we did during the Ice Storm of 98.
The reason I am writing you, is to simply ask you for your support. A Guardsman's job is extremely difficult and I sincerely want them to continue doing it. As a result of many Defense Budget cuts, we soldiers are being required to do much more with a lot less. It seems as though people just don't want to put forth the extra effort any more to be a Citizen Soldier. You can't blame them when they have to not only do their job, but sometimes the jobs of others. Did you know their jobs are a lot harder than the jobs of Active Duty Soldiers?......Not only do they hold down full time jobs on the civilian side, but also hold Military positions that require adherence to the same exact high standards the Active Soldiers are held to. The biggest difference though, is the fact that they only have approximately 28 days a year to do this, vs. the Active Soldiers' 365 days. This means that many of them put in a lot of extra time at their units. They call these "FTFs", (For The Flag) days because they don't get paid for the time. To be honest with you, there are fewer and fewer benefits being made available to soldiers today. There is however, one benefit I am very interested in, and one I would request you to support.
"I recall Governor King discussing a significant need for more affordable and accessible education within the State of Maine during his Inaugural Address. I strongly agree with his position. I know there are a lot of members within units that would love to go to school and further their education but they just can't afford it. I have recently been informed that our headquarters in Augusta is trying to submit a legislative proposal that would help provide tuition assistance to National Guard soldiers within the state. I think this is a great idea, and is an excellent opportunity to thank citizen soldiers for all the sacrifices they and their families make. Not only will it help them, but it will also ease the burden of work on many soldiers throughout the state by attracting new members. This would be a great incentive for people to join the National Guard and help our overall strength. A program like this will allow many individuals to achieve their goals, especially those individuals who may not otherwise be able to afford a college education.
"Well, I know you are very busy, I don't want to keep you. I just wanted to write and ask for your support if you happen to see any legislation on National Guard Tuition Assistance.
Respectfully,
The Second Annual
Armed Forces of the United States
Retiree Activities Day
Sponsored by
The Maine National Guard in cooperation with the New Hampshire and Vermont National Guard,
Fort Drum, Brunswick Naval Air Station,
and the Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont Army Retiree Councils
0800-0900 Registration and Coffee
0900-0945 Opening Ceremony & Guest Speaker
0945-1600 Stations & Displays Open
Directions: Take exit 30 off the Maine Turnpike, follow sign to Augusta off the exit. Augusta State Armory is 1/2 mile on your left.
(Please post to newsletters & bulletin boards)