FARMINGTON – On Nov. 8 at 5 p.m. there will be special recognition for our Maine state veterans at the Farmington Baptist Church. The ceremony will be held during a special “Turn Up the Heat!” program to raise funds for fuel assistance in our area in which four or five Christian music groups will be performing during the afternoon and evening. Call Craig Hutchinson at 645-3210 for information about the benefit.
For the “Honoring a Veteran” program, Rep. Tom Saviello is organizing the event with Major General John W. Libby attending to make this recognition a memorable night for our vets, Saviello said.
The state of Maine established the “Honoring a Veteran” recognition program to honor veterans for their military service. The program honors those that have made the ultimate sacrifice by giving their lives in defense of freedom; former POWs as well as those who are still POWs and/or missing, those who were wounded in action and received the Purple Heart, and all of our veterans who honorably served our great nation and state. A list of those honored so far can be seen here.
Below is a list of the various State of Maine recognitions that are available:
- Gold Star Honorable Service metal: Awarded to the families of service members who have given their lives in defense of the country since 2001.
- Silver Star Honorable Service Metal and certificate: Awarded to veterans that were former POW’s as well as to veterans that received a purple heart.
- Bronze Star Honorable Service metal and certificate: Awarded to the families of those service members that lost their lives in the line of duty and not in combat or combat support.
- Honorable Certificate: These certificates are awarded to veterans that served on honorably during wartime for a war time certificate or peace time for a general service certificate.
“On Nov. 8 we want to recognize all of those veterans and families who are eligible for these recognitions,” Saviello said. In order to do that, he needs the names and paperwork for these veterans. Contact Saviello at 645-3420 or via email at drtom16@hotmail.com for the specifics.
Additionally, The Secretary of State’s Office is taking orders for buttons to honor veterans on Election Day. The button, which reads “I’m voting in Honor of a Veteran,” is personalized with the name of a veteran the voter wants to recognize for his or her sacrifices to ensure our freedoms, including the right to vote.
Maine’s Vote in Honor of a Veteran program was created as a “Promote the Vote” initiative for the 2000 General Election. Because of the program’s popularity, as well as the events of September 11, 2001 and their aftermath, the program continues.
Order forms for the Vote in Honor of a Veteran button can be found here. The buttons are mailed directly to the voters’ homes, and there is no cost for the button or for the shipping. To ensure receipt of the button in time for the election, voters should place their orders as soon as possible. Call Saviello at 645-3420 or email: drtom16@hotmail.com.
