Many of you know about Camp Kieve located on Damariscotta Lake. Camp Kieve was founded by Don Kennedy in 1926 as a summer camp for boys. Their mission is to “empower people to contribute positively to society by promoting the values of kindness, respect for others, and environment stewardship…”

For many years, traveling on Route 1 through Damariscotta and Nobleboro, I saw the signs for Camp Kieve, but had no idea what the camp was. I had just retired with time on my hands so when I saw the sign one day in October, I decided to check it out. There were a number of cars in the office parking lot so I went in. They introduced me to Henry Kennedy, the grandson of the founder Don. I mentioned that I was retired military and he said I had to meet his Dad, who had just turned over the reins to Henry. Dick told me a story about how he was in a bar in Bangor. There were a group of soldiers who had just returned from Iraq. So, he went over to welcome them home. One of the soldiers told Dick that he would rather be back in Iraq to be with his brothers and sisters still over there. Dick was taken back and later thought about the sacrifices our military men and women are making. He said, “I have this beautiful camp on Lake Damariscotta so I should open it up to the military and veterans for a free week to honor them and their families for there service.”

When I heard that, I said I wanted to help and from that point on, I was a volunteer at their veteran camps. A few years after they started the Veteran Camps, the Lewiston Vet Center, Vietnam Support Group, asked if Camp Kieve would have a camp just for Vietnam Veterans and their significant others. The answer was absolutely! This started the December Vietnam Veterans Camp. Unfortunately, COVID shut down all the veteran camps and then after that, the facility where they hold the event was renovated. The renovations are done and the Vietnam Veterans Camp is returning this year, although just for a long weekend Dec. 5-8.

Why am I going through this history? Because this year, they have worked with the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens/Gardens Aglow and on Friday, Dec. 6, the Vietnam Veteran Camp has been given 50 tickets for the 5 p.m. slot. Knowing they were coming to Boothbay for the Gardens Aglow, I asked our Ed Harmon if he was willing to host them at the hall for dinner and he agreed. The VN veterans camp has 12 rooms so there are 12 couples who are attending.  Post 36 is being given 20 tickets for our VN veterans and guests. So, if you are a VN veteran and want two free tickets on Dec. 6 at 5 p.m., followed by dinner at the Hall, call the hall at 633-4487 or email me at dapatch66@gmail.com.