Now that the VA is starting to vaccinate veterans in the VA healthcare system, there are lots of questions being asked. It has been said many times that the priority is going to those over 85 with 5 high risk medical issues, and then those with 4 high risk, and so forth. What we have heard is that they have now vaccinated all veterans in that category. So, the next round is for those over 75 with 5 high risk, then 4 high risk, and so forth. To find out what "high risk" conditions are, Google “CDC High Risk Medical Conditions.” I am 77, soon to be 78, with none of the high risk issues and I have yet to be called as of this writing. I think one of the reasons may be that the VA veteran population is older and therefore takes longer for those under 75 to get their vaccinations. But, if you read this in time, you can join the VA Town Hall meeting Thursday, Feb. 4 at 3 p.m. If you want the access information, send me an email (dapatch@roadrunner.com). I will also have it set up at the Hall. Many veterans, me included, aren't waiting for the VA. Some are now getting their vaccinations from LincolnHealth and some retired veterans who are patients of Martin’s Point, are getting their shots from them. I received my first shot from MP two weeks ago.

This past week, I attended several committee meetings of our state legislature via You Tube/Zoom. For those who want to watch our hard-working legislators at work, go to http://legislature.maine.gov/

If you are interested in veteran or legal issues, the committee you want to pick is “Veterans and Legal Affairs (VLA).” Click on that and you will see all the issues they will be dealing with the next week. At the top of the page, there is a You Tub link that brings you right into the committee Zoom meeting. Last week I “attended” the hearing presented by Maine Bureau of Alcoholic Beverages & Lottery Operations and the hearing presented by Department of Defense, Veterans and Emergency Management, including Maine Bureau of Veterans Services. Never know what you will learn, for example I learned from the first hearing that TITO (vodka) brings in more revenue that any other single “spirit.” Now, that was worth listening to! Major General Douglas A. Farnham, Commissioner and Adjutant General, provided the state of the Maine National Guard. He also reported on the many ways the Guard has/is supporting Maine's efforts dealing with COVID-19 and in their support of military operations all around the globe. David Richmond discussed how the MBVS accomplishes their mission of supporting veterans. Dave reported that the Bureau was awarded its third straight Pillar of Excellence Award from the Veterans Administration (VA) for being part of a team working with veterans in the criminal justice system.

The next Post meeting will be Zoom only on Feb. 8 at 6 p.m.