December 21, 2017

Potential Wintry Mix May Impact Maine Veterans? Cemeteries Over The Holiday Weekend

AUGUSTA, Maine (December 21, 2017) ? The holiday season is upon us, meaning families, friends, and loved ones will gather across Maine to celebrate the season. Many Mainers will be paying their respects by visiting one of our veterans? cemeteries. Please be advised, if weather is imminent, cemetery gates will be closed until the potential storm's passing.

?The Maine Veterans? Memorial Cemetery System will make every effort to maintain access over the extended holiday weekend,? stated Adria Horn, director of the Maine Bureau of Veterans? Services. ?We understand the importance and significance of a family member visiting their loved ones over the holidays; however, the grounds crew will close entry gates and place road barriers if the storm causes dangerous conditions for our visitors.?

It is common practice for the Maine Veterans? Memorial Cemetery System to temporarily reduce access to veterans? cemeteries due to unsafe weather conditions. Shortly after the potential storm passes, grounds crew will re-open entry gates to plow and maintain roads allowing for visitor access.

Scott Brown, superintendent of the Maine Veterans? Memorial Cemetery System, offered remarks of caution: ?We ask our visitors to be mindful of road conditions when traveling to our sites. Please make sure you tell someone where you are going, as there will be no staff on site to observe a vehicle breakdown or similar event.?

In observance of the Christmas holiday, the Maine Bureau of Veterans? Services will be closed on Friday, December 22nd through Tuesday, December 26th. Normal office hours will resume on Wednesday, December 27th at 7:30 a.m.

For more information on the Maine Veterans? Memorial Cemetery System, please visit the Maine Bureau of Veterans? Services website at: www.maine.gov/veterans/memorial-cemetery-system.

About Maine Bureau of Veterans? Services The Maine Bureau of Veterans' Services was established in 1947 by the State of Maine and is part of the Maine Department of Defense, Veterans and Emergency Management. Our mission is to help Mainers who served, and their loved ones, understand and navigate the benefits, services, and programs available to them. The Bureau does this by being a responsive, experienced, and dedicated advocate. The Bureau is headquartered at Camp Keyes and has seven field service offices located throughout the state and a claims office located at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Togus, Maine. The Bureau also operates the Maine Veterans' Memorial Cemetery System which includes four veterans? cemeteries. For more information about the Bureau or to request assistance, please visit our website at www.maine.gov/veterans.