One of the problems with being from the older generation and dealing with electronic media and computer filing is that it is easy to get confused which I did last week. Somehow, the Register the article I sent was published the prior week; so, after getting a heads up from the editor, I sent in the correct article but too late for print. It did get in the online Register. The point of the article was that the Botanical Gardens/Gardens Aglow have given Camp Kieve and this Post 50 tickets to be used by Vietnam veterans and their guest for the Dec. 6 5 p.m. slot. Post 36 will be hosting a dinner for the Vietnam veterans and their guest at the Hall at 7 p.m.If you are interested in being part of this fun evening, call, text, or me email (207.751.5672 or dapatch66@gmail.com) to get on the list. 

This is Thanksgiving week and a time to think about all the things to be thankful for. Of course, family comes to the top of the list!  Blessed with kids, grandkids, and great-grandkids, it can’t get any better than that … well, unless they were closer and not in Maryland, Wisconsin, Oklahoma and Missouri! And, of course, my courageous wife who helped make all that happen! But I am also thankful for the community in which I live. There are so many ways this community supports each other. When going through rough spots, the community comes together: Having the CRC community Navigator be a resource to help those in need connect with the services that are available; Having the members of the American Legion ensuring that veterans get the services they are intitle to and just looking out for one another; For the American Legion Auxiliary that not only supports the mission of the Post but reaches out to help all in the community. 

I am also thankful for all the organizations in the state that look out for veterans in need. Having worked with most all of them over the past four years, I can tell you that they work tirelessly to help veterans through difficult times, preventing veterans from homelessness, getting them housed if homeless, and getting them back into housing and on to a brighter future. I am thankful for Ed Harmon and his team that have ingeniously come up with the Veterans Emergency Temporary Trailers (V.E.T.S.) that enable a veteran to get off the streets and into a comfortable shelter while the other organizations help the veteran get back on their feet. Of course, I am also thankful for the Maine Bureau of Veteran Services Homeless Veteran Coordinators and the VA Homeless teams for their support in going above and beyondsupporting veterans in need and working with all the organizations supporting veterans.  Finally, I am blessed to live in Maine and be part of a caring community. 

I wish you all a very Happy Thanksgiving!  And, thank you all for just being you!