Hard to believe this is the last article for 2024!  If I really was a writer or even an amateur philosopher, I would wax poetic about the year 2024.  But good news for anyone reading this, I am not!  So, I choose to just look forward to the new year!  And I want to look forward to all the positive stuff and ignore the potential negative things that seem to bubble to the top of discussions lately.  So, first I look forward to a year of good health for everyone.  I look forward to the community coming together as it always does when there is a community member who is in need, in poor health or any other issue they may have.  I look forward to the continued generosity of our community in support of veteran programs such as Ed Harmon’s Boothbay V.E.T.S and my Maine Veterans in Need.  Speaking of that, on February 15th, American Legion Post 202 in Topsham will be hosting their annual Winter Classic, the major fundraising event for MVN.  What is the Winter Classic? …. A softball tournament….in the snow!   Teams pay $200 for the privilege of freezing in the February cold and chasing a colored softball around in the snow with one team hoping their teammate SLIDES across home plate while the opposing teammate tries to prevent that from happening without falling on their backside!  Companies get to sponsor this event by donating $500! Lots of organizations are there to support the event, including the VA and the Maine Bureau of Veterans Services (MBVS).  The MBVS will even have a team participating …. This is definitely a spectator event, so you don’t want to miss it. More info will be forthcoming as we get closer, but if you want to enter a team, contact Bob Lemont at (207) 837-8556, 729-9876 or bobbylemont56@gmail.com

I look forward to the restart of the Legion’s breakfasts where we come together to enjoy a great breakfast and share in the comradery of our friends, neighbors and fellow veterans and family. Of course, the money’s donated for the breakfasts support all the good work that the American Legion does to support our veterans, our veterans’ families, and our community youth. I look forward to Memorial Day and honoring our fallen comrades! And, of course, the veteran banners going back on the telephone poles. Windjammers follow shortly thereafter, and I look forward to what the American Legion Auxiliary will featuring in their annual awesome, award-winning float! I look forward to honoring all the veterans going on the trips to DC with Honor Flight by attending their Sunday Homecoming. If you have never attended one of those, it’s a must. Later in the summer, I look forward to the Maine V.E.T.S. annual BBQ, always fun with great entertainment.  And, of course, skiing, biking, and kayaking are still on the agenda! 

And these are just a few things to look forward to in 2025!  Happy New Year!