According to Boothbay V.E.T.S. founder Ed Harmon, at year's end, nearly 50 temporary emergency shelters will be deployed around Maine to house veterans experiencing homelessness. In 2021, Harmon and two others created a non-profit organization dedicated to getting veterans experiencing homelessness off the streets. Harmon was joined by fellow Vietnam vets Arthur Richardson and Ed Hargreaves who began the program, Boothbay V.E.T.S. (Veterans Emergency Temporary Shelter).

Four years ago, the trio were troubled learning as many as 13 veterans were not housed on any given night in Maine. So, they brainstormed and developed a temporary solution for a longstanding problem. They constructed a trailer to serve as temporary shelter while a vet's request for permanent shelter cleared bureaucratic "red tape."

Now, Boothbay V.E.T.S. is networking with other non-profit organizations along with state and federal agencies providing temporary shelter. Four years later, Boothbay V.E.T.S. has over 40 volunteers building trailers. The group's main fundraiser occurs each August with a barbecue. On Aug. 2, the annual event fed 270 people who paid $15 per meal featuring barbecue chicken, hamburgers, hot dogs, cole slaw and drinks.  Live music was performed by "The Volunteers," a group of professional musicians who play at no charge for veterans’ organizations. Other entertainment included field games. Participants toured the temporary shelters. Several non-profit groups who support veterans' causes provided information about their programs.

The barbecue netted $9,200 between ticket sales and donations. Harmon estimated he had about two dozen volunteers working on the barbecue which lasted from noon to 3 p.m. on Boothbay Common.

Chris Goodwin was one of the volunteers at the event. He has volunteered in the Boothbay V.E.T.S. program since its inception. He supervises the production line making sure all work is properly completed in constructing the temporary shelters. Goodwin served during the Vietnam War era in Fort Hood, Texas. He became a Boothbay V.E.T.S. volunteer when Harmon began the operation. "I learned about it through the Legion. Ed was looking for volunteers, and I was glad to join him," Goodwin said.

He has also participated each summer in the annual barbecue. "It's a great program and I want to help any way I can," he said. "I think this is important work that we are doing especially since we serve a need that the government is not taking care of."

A couple years ago, the program received a major boost through congressional funding with a $330,000-plus grant. Harmon worked with U.S. Sen. Angus King and other congressional delegation members in securing funding. "It has worked great," he said. "All we need to do is submit our invoices, and we receive access to the funds. We can now purchase equipment and tools quicker. There is no more waiting around, we just do it."

The Boothbay V.E.T.S. barbecue is their only public fundraiser which requires a "small army of volunteers" and organization. Some would describe the event as challenging, but not Harmon. "It's no challenge at all. It's a privilege to help people," he said.

Once a trailer request is received, it usually takes a couple days to match a trailer and vet. "The one thing I don't like about the whole process is there are too many rules," Harmon said. "Other than that, we receive a caseworker's request then verify the location which is how it all works."

Boothbay V.E.T.S.' work has been recognized by Maine Veterans of Foreign Wars by receiving their Civic Achievement Award for the past three years.

Following the barbecue,  Boothbay V.E.T.S dedicated two trailers in the names of Stephen Carbone and Bob Goldtrap.