September is shaping up to be a great month for local veterans and their families to connect with resources, learn about programs, and network the veteran support community. Several events are being held in the Midcoast region that bring together many of the organizations dedicated to serving veterans.

The first opportunity is on Saturday, Sept. 6, when VFW Post 2197 in Brunswick will host an Information Exposition at Tractor Supply Company (TSC), 24 Farley Road, Brunswick. This fee event runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Food will be available for a donation, with proceeds supporting VFW scholastic programs. 

This exposition is designed as a one-stop shop for veterans and families to discover what support is available to them. Organizations scheduled to participate include Honor Flight Maine, House in the Woods, Paws for Veterans, Quilts of Valor, Maine Veterans in Need (MVN), and both VA Healthcare and VA Benefits. In addition, Ed Harmon and his Veterans Emergency Temporary Shelter (V.E.T.S.) team will showcase one of their converted shelter trailers, a program that has already helped countless Maine veterans. Tractor Supply will also host seminars on proper feeding of deer and other wildlife, adding to the day’s variety.

If you can’t make the Sept. 6 event, another major opportunity comes later in the month. On Friday, Sept. 19, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., the VA Benefits Administration will host an Expo at American Legion Post 20, 1 Columbus Drive, Brunswick. The event will take place both inside and outside the Post and will feature many of the same organizations as the VFW event, along with additional government-funded programs at the state and federal level. 

This is an especially valuable chance to meet leadership from both the VA Healthcare system at Togus and the VA Benefits Administration. Veterans who are not yet enrolled in VA Healthcare or who have not filed a claim will be able to do so on site, avoiding the need to travel to Togus. 

Looking ahead to October and November, the Maine Bureau of Veterans’ Services, along with the VA,  will be holding “Stand Down” events across the state. These gatherings are aimed at veterans who are homeless or at risk of homelessness, connecting them directly with housing, healthcare, and other essential services. This fall, Stand Downs will be held on Oct. 8 in Bangor, Oct. 15 in Lewiston, Oct. 29 in Portland, and Nov. 5 in Augusta. Both MVN and the V.E.T.S. team will be present at each event.

Finally, for veterans who prefer to stay connected from home, the VA provides regular healthcare and benefits updates via Zoom during the Maine Veterans Coordinating Committee (MVCC) meetings. These are held the first non-holiday Monday of each month at 3 p.m. Anyone interested in joining can receive the link by reaching out directly to me, David Patch at dapatch66@gmail.com.

With so many opportunities this fall, there has never been a better time for Midcoast veterans and their families to learn, connect, and access the benefits they have earned.