Just a reminder, Friday, March 27, the Travis Mills Foundation and the state will be holding their Vietnam Remembrance Day in the Augusta Armory with Travis holding a breakfast from 9 to 11 a.m. and the state’s ceremony from 1-4 p.m. Two registrations are: Google Travis Mills Foundation Vietnam Veterans Breakfast 2020 for the breakfast and www.maine.gov/veterans for the afternoon ceremonies. If you haven’t registered, you can register at the door.

I am on the American Legion team that will be meeting with our congressional delegation on March 10 in Washington, D.C. I previously reported on the priorities we will be addressing with them, but I want to mention my personal priorities that I will be focusing on. In state residential mental health facilities, VA/Togus having minimal oversight of the quality of care provided by VA paid community practitioners (something the Mission Act was suppose to correct), timely payment of VA bills to contracted agencies providing community care, recognition of the harmful affects of firefighting foam on those exposed routinely to it, and allowing the VA doctors to suggest state authorized medical marijuana as a potential alternative treatment are on my list. If anyone has an issue that you would like brought to the attention of our delegation, send me an email (dapatch@roadrunner.com) or give me a call (751-5672).

Fliers are now going up that provide information on the upcoming Veteran Lobster Boat rides on Thursday, May 21. For planning purposes, reservations are requested by contacting the Legion Hall at 633-4487, Stephanie at 380-6803, or Phil at 380-7020.

As the first phase of Hall renovations are coming to a conclusion, we are starting a fundraising campaign to address the next phase. On the list are window treatments, upgraded sound system, large screen televisions, and new landscaping. These additional improvements are intended to make the Hall a focus for community events and functions such as weddings, receptions, birthdays, corporate meetings, and celebrations of life. Donations can be sent to: American Legion, Post 36, P.O. Box 874, Boothbay Harbor, ME 04538. Remember, we are a tax-deductible non-profit.

Every week I talk to veterans who are eligible for VA healthcare but aren’t enrolled. Just a reminder, just because you are enrolled in the VA healthcare system doesn’t mean you have to give up your private (or public – Medicare) insurance. Your only obligation is to see the VA primary care doctor once a year. But, there are many advantages of using the VA, not the least of which is normally much less co-pays or no co-pays. While not all veterans are eligible, most are. This being Vietnam recognition month, a reminder that all Vietnam veterans, those who earned the VN ribbons, are eligible for VA healthcare. Veterans with medical issues that can be traced back to time in service are eligible. And, those whose income (not assets) fall below a certain threshold (about $33,000/yr) are eligible. Please contact me for more information.

Monday, March 9 is our next meeting, dinner at 5:30 p.m., meeting at 6.