For those who attended the Feb. 4 VA Town Hall event discussing the vaccination process at VA Maine, you know the number of vaccines received by the VA in general and TOGUS specifically is not adequate to provide vaccinations to all the veterans enrolled in the VA healthcare system in a timely way. In fact, with the current 300 vaccines received weekly, all the veterans will be vaccinated by January 2024 as reported by Trayce Davis, director of Maine's VA healthcare system. This fact was noted by representatives of our Congressional delegation and they committed to bringing this fact to their bosses. In the meantime, VA continues to vaccinate in accordance with the established priorities of the VA and CDC. I am delighted to see our own Joe Gelarden received his first shot from the VA as he reported in his Week 47 article. The VA is however doing everything they can to prepare for a high rate of vaccinations if and when they start receiving the doses. They currently are providing drive through vaccinations at both Togus and the VA clinic in Bangor. The VA does encourage all veterans to get their vaccinations from whatever source becomes available first.

On Feb. 3, 1943, the U.S. Army Troopship Dorchester was attacked and sunk by German torpedoes in the North Atlantic which took the lives of 672 soldiers, including four chaplains (a priest, a Methodist minister, a reformed minister, and a rabbi). These four hero chaplains gave up their lives to help the 230 who did survive. On this 78th anniversary of this event, Post 36 honored these four chaplains in a moving ceremony at the Hall. While COVID-19 restrictions kept many from attending, the event was videoed by our own BRCTV and will soon be available to watch. Many thanks to all that did participate. We hope next year many in the community will attended. We especially hope we will be able to have many students attend, as it is truly an event that demonstrates patriotism, loyalty, unity, service to others, and the true example of “greater love has no man than to give up his life for others.” As special thanks to those who were part of the event, including Gerry Gamage, Stephanie Hawke, Al Roberts, Sara Fahnley (who provided refreshments), and the color guard from our USCG station. For more pictures of this event, visit the Post Facebook page.

Raffle tickets are now on sale for a cord of split firewood at the low price of $5. All members of the Legion will be receiving the tickets to sell within the next couple of weeks, so support the Legion by buying your tickets.

The next Post meeting will be ZOOM only on Feb. 8 at 6 p.m. One of the discussion items will be the restart of the breakfasts. Please join us! Not a member and want to participate? Send me an email dapatch@roadrunner.com and I'll send you the connection.