Probably the most important paper that a veteran can have is their official discharge document, the DD 214. This document is provided to every military person when they are discharged from active duty and it provides a summary of their service, including the dates of service, any awards they may have received and their type of discharge. There are a number of reasons to have this document, but just to name a few:

• To be enrolled in the VA Healthcare system
• To receive any benefits from the VA that a veteran may have earned from their time in service
• To obtain a veteran license plate
• To enroll in various corporate veteran discount programs
• For surviving families to obtain a military honor guard at the time of a veteran’s death and to receive the American flag
• To be interred in a veteran cemetery
• To be eligible for a veteran home
• To be recognized by the state of Maine for your service

To name just a few.

If a veteran does not have this document, there are several ways to obtain it. If a veteran’s home of record at time of discharge was Maine, it is likely the state has it on file. You can check by calling the Maine Bureau of Veterans Services (207-430-6035). If you are not from Maine, the National Archives will send you a copy by sending them the Form 180. If you are a family member of a deceased veteran and would like a copy of your veteran’s service records, this can be done again by sending the Form 180 to the National Archives. The American Legion can help with this process by contacting Dave Patch at 751.5672.

Any boy or girl interested in attending Boys State or Girls State must get their applications in to Post 36 by May 1. We would really like to send as many boys and girls as possible.

A reminder that the American Legion Auxiliary will be having its first Craft Fair at the American Legion Hall on May 12.

Memorial Day is just a month away. Time for all you veterans to dust off any uniform part you might have and march with us on Memorial Day, May 28. But, uniform parts are not required, we would just like to have you join with us as we all honor our fallen brothers and sisters in service.

The next American Legion meeting is May 14. The meal before the meeting will be pulled pork fresh from a local pig roast! If you are a veteran or a spouse of a veteran and interested in the Legion or the Auxiliary, join us for dinner at 5:30 p.m. on May 14 and sit in on our monthly meeting.

Looking forward to seeing everyone at our next breakfast May 6!