For all those who are in my email address book and received an email from not me, I most humbly have to apologize! I guess this is the world we live in now. The hackers are so sophisticated that they included lots of accurate information about me and the message changed that was sent to just about everyone in my address book. Since I am involved with non-profits that are always in the fundraising mode and with veterans who need assistance, it might look legitimate for me to be asking for money for one cause or another. I guess on the positive side, I was reconnected with lots of folks I haven’t connected with in long time! On the negative side, I am sure many of my contracts who received the email actually complied with the message. I am also sure everyone who received the message worried about their security. And, I spent hours with professionals cleaning up my computer, dealing with Spectrum changing passwords and eliminating data in their storage, and ultimately switching emails to Google. So, my new email address is dapatch66@gmail.com. I think the take away from all of this is that if you get an email that looks fishy, it is probably is a hack. If it looks like someone you know is asking for money, call the person first to ensure it is real. My phone has been ringing off the hook!

April 1 is the next Maine Veteran Coordination Committee (MVCC) Zoom meeting at 1500 (3 p.m.). The Zoom link is https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84773217133?pwd=dFNhT1dLcHBWOFBVRHNiMXk1cHZLZz09, Meeting ID: 847 7321 7133, Passcode: 236644; click on the link to it. This is a meeting all veterans are invited to, as well as anyone interested in veteran issues. The VA leadership brief on what is happening in the VA system and those attending can ask questions directly to them. If there are veteran issues that should be taken up with our Congressional delegation, you can talk directly to their representatives who also attend. And, we have guest speakers. This month’s speaker is Paul House of House in the Woods. Paul has created an amazing facility in Leeds, that offers outdoor retreats for active-duty military, veterans, and their family members, in the great wilderness of Maine.

On April 27, put on your calendar to attend a talk by Mark Holmquist, the current chief of the Scarborough Police, on his experience as a sentinel at the Tomb of the Unknown. Mark had a 25-year military career serving in the Army, Army Reserves, and the Maine National Guard. In addition, he had a 24-year career in the Maine State Police. I had the opportunity to hear Mark talk about his sentinel experience and how it affected his entire life and influenced his career choices. You will hear more about it as we get closer to the 27th but I highly encourage you safe that date!

The next Post meeting is Monday, April 8; dinner at 5:30, meeting at 6.