A quick update on the VA vaccine topic. I have received several calls over the past week from veterans who have gotten a call from the VA to schedule their vaccination appointment. Remember, their priority is veterans over the age of 85. I am 77 and have not received my call yet. I am also getting health care via Martin’s Point. I received my first shot at Martin’s Point in Portland last Saturday and that process was quick and easy. It seems clear to me that the VA (at least Togus) isn’t getting their fair share of vaccines in proportion to their enrolled veterans as the rest of the community. This is a topic I will ask at the next VA Town Hall meeting, which is Feb. 4 at 3 p.m. Speaking of the Town Hall meeting, since the last Town Hall meeting earlier this month, I have been asked questions about the Togus vaccination process, questions that were covered in the last Town Hall meeting. So, I really encourage all veterans that are in the VA healthcare system to Zoom in to the Feb. 4 meeting. If you want the access information, send me an email (dapatch@roadrunner.com). I will also have it set up at the Hall.

On Feb. 3 at 10 a.m., we will be holding the “4 Chaplain Ceremony” at the Legion Hall. This ceremony honors the four Army Chaplains on board the USTS Dorchester that gave up their lives saving others when the ship was torpedoed in the Atlantic during World War II. If you would like to attend, please call or email, 633-4487 or dapatch@roadrunner.com

Raffle tickets to win a cord of firewood will be going on sale in February. Each ticket will cost $5 and there will be two winners, one cord each. The wood was donated by Brian Barter; thanks Brian, and has gone so far to say he is willing to deliver, with the help of our membership, the wood if the winner is in the Boothbay region. Each Post 36 member will be mailed raffle tickets to sell.

Our State Legislature is back at work. At this early stage in the process, our legislators put in Legislator Requests (LR) that will eventually get turned into Legislation Documents (LD) that will be discussed in committees, which include public hearings, then voted on by the House and Senate with a few even making it to the governor to be signed into law. As of Jan. 23, there are 22 LRs that address veteran issues; and there are 13 that address the state’s homeless issue. At this point, Representative Holly Stover has sponsored eight LRs mostly around healthcare, and Senator Maxmin has sponsored 13 LRs on a range of topics, none veteran specific. When important veteran LRs/LDs are prepared, I will be asking both our representatives for their support. Support from our veteran community will be important as well.

The next Post meeting will be Zoom only on Feb. 8.