Governor's Memorial Day Message

May 31, 2004

Governor's Memorial Day Message as delivered today:

This weekend, we celebrate the dedication of the national World War II Memorial in Washington, DC, and the dedication of a new Vietnam Memorial in Bangor. We honor the men and women of our era who have done so much to make this country great and to protect our freedom and liberty.

These were among the greatest tests of our nation.

Today as we gather to remember the service of the brave men and women of our Armed Services past, we also carry with us thoughts and prayers for the American men and women are now involved in conflicts overseas.

We owe so much to these American heroes.

On a number of occasions in the past year and a half I've been at departure ceremonies and homecomings. It hits home at these events the great love and respect these soldiers have for their country and for their communities. They are making great sacrifices by being away from their homes. They and their families deserve all the support we can give them.

All of us feel the separation of our citizen-soldiers. Today, 724 members of our Maine Army and Air National Guard have been activated. These men and women leave their families and their jobs to serve their country; they leave their jobs. I want to thank the families, friends, employers and coworkers of our soldiers. They are sacrificing, too.

This year the Maine Legislature and I sought to honor those who have served and those who continue to serve - to do our part to ensure that they and their families are secure in the knowledge that all the people of Maine recognize their contributions to our freedom. These initiatives include:
Creating the Maine Military Family Relief Fund, the monies for which come from a tax check-off. The Fund will make grants to the families of National Guards and Reservists called to active duty.
Providing gender equity for widowers by extending the same property tax exemptions currently offered to widows and mothers of veterans to the widowers and fathers of veterans. This is important as more and more women are engaged in conflicts as members of our military, Guard and Reserves.
Renewing the Veterans' Emergency Assistance Program, a valued emergency program for veterans caught in unique and unfortunate financial circumstances by granting funds to help them get back on their feet.
Providing professional and occupational licensing authorities in State Government the ability to waive continuing education requirements for returning service personnel, so that those who serve their country are not punished in their career aspirations because they were unable to renew licenses while serving overseas.
Improving the health of veterans through the Task Force on Veterans' Health Services, created as part of the Dirigo Health Reform Act. The Task Force will recommend ways to improve health care accesses and quality for veterans. In an effort to inform veterans of the range of benefits to which they may be entitled, the Task Force has recommended that Maine's Department of Human Services revise the MaineCare application to add a question about military service. DHS has agreed to adopt this recommendation, and will begin collecting the information this fall.

About 33,000 of Maine's 148,000 veterans were treated last year at either Togus or the VA's outpatient clinics in Caribou, Bangor, Calais, Rumford, and Saco. Earlier this month, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs Anthony Principi announced that the VA plans to open a new outpatient clinic in Cumberland County and five new part-time telemedicine clinics in Lincoln, Dover-Foxcroft, Houlton, Farmington, and South Paris. Such clinics can help veterans who are a significant distance from Togus-especially those living in rural areas.

These contributions to active duty and former Guardsmen, Reservists, and Armed Forces personnel are the very least we can do to show our support.

Some of our citizens sadly have made the ultimate sacrifice. The United States and Maine have paid a heavy price through the loss of our sons and daughters, as they protect us, our allies and our interests both home and abroad. In the past 2 months, three of our Maine citizen-soldiers have been killed in conflicts overseas.

Freedom is something that needs to be celebrated here - in our schools, at community events, and in our homes.

For those who have served and who are here today, we thank you. To those still overseas, our message is that we pray for you and we hope for your safe return home as soon as possible.

May God continue to bless the United States, Maine and the men and women who defend our great country.