Honoring Maine’s Veterans:
The daughter and sister of Maine veterans, Governor Mills recognizes the service and sacrifice of those who wore the uniform and is fighting to ensure that her Administration is standing by them. Since taking office, Governor Mills has:
- Reestablished Maine’s Aides-de-Camp Program: Governor Mills reinvigorated Maine’s Aides-de-camp positions, an advisory council of military veterans who advise the governor on policies impacting Maine veterans, and inducted a full complement of qualified veterans to advise her.
- Provided Dental Care for Veterans: Governor Mills launched the Maine Veterans’ Dental Network in partnership with Northeast Delta Dental, participating dental clinics, and Federally Qualified Health Centers to dental services to Maine’s veterans who otherwise could not afford them. Governor Mills recently announced that, due to a generous grant from Northeast Delta Dental, the Maine Veterans’ Dental Network (MVDN) will resume its dental services in 2022.
- Honored Maine Veterans: Governor Mills hosted a veteran recognition ceremony and presented the new State of Maine Honorable Service Coin, also called the Forever Coin, to more than 150 Maine veterans
- Provided Free Recreational Lobster Licenses: Governor Mills signed into law a bill providing recreational lobster licenses, as well as non-commercial crab fishing and scalloping licenses, without charge, to disabled Maine veterans.
- Connected Veterans to Employment: Governor Mills’ 2021 Hire-A-Vet campaign connected 217 veterans to employment, including 42 female veterans. The average hourly wage for the veterans who found positions through this effort was $24.12, and 166 employer agencies participated.
- Supported Maine’s Most Vulnerable Veterans: Governor Mills made her annual Stand Down for Homeless Veterans event mobile, ensuring that veterans in Caribou, Bangor, and Lewiston received food, clothing, Covid-19 and flu vaccines, haircuts, reading glasses, and toiletries, as well as assistance with legal issues, benefits, housing, MaineCare, and other community services.