Hello, this is Governor Janet Mills and thank you for listening.
You know every year, on November 11th, Maine and the nation pause to honor the dedication and sacrifice of those who have served Maine and the nation in the United States Armed Forces.
Our state has a proud legacy of military service. From the 20th Maine’s valiant defense of Little Round Top to the Maine National Guardsmen and women who will deploy around the world next year, Maine people have always stepped up to serve when our nation has called on them.
In fact, during the Civil War, our state contributed a higher proportion of citizens to the Union army than any other state in the nation. Today, Maine consistently ranks among the highest number of veterans per capita of any state in the country. Nearly 10 percent of our state’s entire population has served in the military.
As the daughter and sister of Maine veterans, I have a deep and abiding respect for those who have dedicated their lives to the safety and security of our nation, and for the families that support them.
While Veterans Day occurs only once a year, as Governor, I’m committed to ensuring that our state stands up for veterans every day. Look, our veterans stood by us, and it’s our responsibility now to stand by them.
Earlier this year, the board of the Maine Veterans’ Homes announced that they would close their Caribou and Machias locations.
I was pleased to partner with Senate President Troy Jackson and the Maine Veterans Home Board of Trustees to provide the funding necessary to keep them open. The measure received unanimous support – a testament to Maine’s unwavering support of our veterans.
As governor, I’ve reestablished the Aides-de-Camp program, which brings together veterans from all branches of the military, and the several members of my cabinet who are also veterans, to advise me on issues of importance to those who have served.
We’ve also expanded health and dental care to Maine veterans, by expanding Medicaid and by launching the Maine Veterans’ Dental Network with Northeast Delta Dental – a program that has received national recognition.
And my Maine Jobs & Recovery Plan is investing directly in efforts to solve our worker shortages by attracting new veteran families to Maine and connecting them with available jobs.
As governor, I am committed to making our state the best in the nation for veterans to live, work, retire, and care for their families.
To all Maine veterans: on behalf of the State of Maine, I thank you for your service from the bottom of my heart.
This is Governor Janet Mills. Thank you for listening.