As we all know, the Government shutdown continues. That means that our Coast Guard Station personnel stationed here in Boothbay Harbor and living in our community are now working to protect us in ways we know so well, and in ways we never hear about, are continuing to do this critically important work without pay. The Boothbay community is rising to the occasion by providing a wide range of support. Our Post is joining this community effort by having a fundraising breakfast on Jan. 27 at our usual breakfast time of 7 to 9 a.m. We will have our usual fair, a surprise or two, with the suggested donation of $10 for adults and $5 for youth (under 18). Please support this effort, come and bring your whole family and all your neighbors!

The only major national memorial for women veterans is located near the Arlington National Cemetery in D.C./Virginia. The memorial recognizes all women who have served in or with the United States Armed Forces — past, present and future; documents their experiences and tells their stories of service, sacrifice and achievement; and makes their contributions a visible part of our history. There are only 266,000 female veterans currently registered out of the 3 million women who have served this country. The Maine Bureau of Veterans Services is working with the state’s Ambassador to the Memorial, Joy Asuncion, to register all our female veterans in the state. So, all our female veterans who haven’t already registered, go on line to www.womensmemorial.org or contact Joy at 930-5640 or joyasuncion@roadrunner.com.

The American Legion in Maine has added a new Post, Post 218 located within the Maine State Prison in Warren. There are currently 26 new members of the Post, all received honorable discharges from the military and are exemplary prisoners. Warden Liberty (himself a veteran) before he assumed his new position as Maine’s Commissioner of Corrections, established a “veterans block” in the prison so these veterans are not integrated with the general prison population. One reason the Legion has established this Post is to give the prisoner a sense of self worth and a recognition he is part of something worthwhile. Once the prisoner is released, the Post near the released veteran’s home will provide a healthy support system for him. The experience of the other 11 other prison posts around the country has proven highly effective ensuring the veteran has the tools and environment to be successful members of our communities.

The VA has updated their VA website to make it more user friendly. Check out www.VA.gov. I think you will be impressed.

Our next American Legion meeting is Feb. 11, dinner at 5:30, meeting starts at 6. Are you a veteran and not a member? Come to the meeting and learn more about the Legion and how we serve our community.