The American Legion Department of Maine SMILE

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1 The American Legion Department of Maine 5 Verti Drive, Winslow, ME Tel: (207) Fax: (207) legionme@mainelegion.org Website: Facebook: February 25, 2016 SMILE Work hard and be patient; the rest will follow. Congratulations to the following Posts for reaching 100% Bangor Post 12 Eastport Post 11 Ft. Kent Post 133 Milo Post 41 Wiscasset Post 54 Testimonial The Department Testimonial for Department Commander Ronald Rainfrette, Department President Debbie Marr, and SAL Detachment Commander Scott Morton will be held Saturday, May 22, 2016 at the Department of Maine State Headquarters, 5 Verti Drive, Winslow, Maine from 5 p.m. 10 p.m. More information on meal arrangements and hotel information will be made available soon in the SMILE and will be published on Hotel reservations will be your own responsibility. Property Tax Exemption ATTENTION MAINE VETERANS AGE 62 AND OLDER OR DISABLED - You may qualify for a property tax exemption based on your service. You are entitled to this under State Law, but you have to claim it by filing with the assessor's office where you live on or before April 1st. Resolutions Deadline All resolutions to be presented for action at any Convention shall be presented to the office of the Department Adjutant on or before May 1 of the subject year. Said resolutions shall be published and printed in the official organ of the Department of Maine, The American Legion in the next issue following said date of May 1. Resolutions must be presented to the Department Adjutant s office in writing, dated and signed by the Commander and Adjutant of the sponsoring groups or Chairman and Secretary of sponsoring committee. Resolutions may be presented by two-thirds majority of the Resolutions Committee meeting at the convention.

2 Eagle Scout of the Year The American Legion, Department of Maine is seeking nominations for the 2016 Eagle Scout of the Year. The state winner will receive a $500 scholarship and is automatically entered in the national competition. Scouts applying must be an Eagle Scout, who will be at least 15 years of age and enrolled in high school. Applicants must also be a registered, active member of a Boy Scout Troop, Varsity Scout Team, or Venturing Crew, chartered to an American Legion Post, Auxiliary Unit or SAL Squadron; or be the son or grandson of a Legionnaire or Auxiliary member. Applications are available through The American Legion, 5 Verti Drive, Winslow, Maine , by calling (207) or on-line at Applications must be received at Department Headquarters by March 1, For further information, contact Headquarters. The national winner receives a $10,000 scholarship. Three-second place scholarship awards of $2,500 are also awarded at the national level. VA Home Loans Join us for a fun, informational meeting on VA Home Loans on Feb. 27 from 12 2 p.m. at USM Wishcamper Center, Muskie School of Public Service, Room 102, 96 Falmouth St., Portland Maine It s free and we will bring lunch. RSVP to Kathy Dyer, KathyWeeseDyer@gmail.com or phone Learn about VA Home Loan Basics such as: What is a VA loan; Who is eligible for a VA loan; Do I need a down payment for a VA loan; What kind of a house can I buy with a VA loan and My credit isn t perfect. Can I get a VA loan? Presented by The Vet Center, Avesta Housing, Harbor View Lending, Portland s Choice Realty and University of Southern Maine. Women Veteran s Luncheon The next planned luncheon will be at Post 205 in Augusta on April 30 th. More info will be given as it becomes available. If you have questions regarding this event please contact Deb Couture at mewomenvets@gmail.com or Trish Thurston at tricia425@roadrunner.com. If you would like to plan an event at your Post you may contact one of the committee members and we will do what we can to assist and support where needed to ensure the event is successful. We now have a Facebook page! It is called Women Veteran s Advisory Committee Dept Of Maine. District 2 and Auxiliary 1 st District The American Legion Family Department of Maine American Legion District 2 - American Legion Auxiliary 1 st District

3 Another year has passed, and it is time to honor our Past District Commanders and Past Presidents and Vice Presidents. Remember they worked hard to make our Districts what they are today. Lets all come out and recognize them for all their hard work, at Post 86 Gray, Me. Date: Tuesday, April 12th 2016 Social Hour: 5 to 6 p.m. Dinner: 6 p.m. Chicken or Prime Rib Reservation Deadline: April 4th 2016, Price: $20.00 Please send reservations to Gray Post 86, P.O. Box 428, Gray, Me 04039, Attention: Nancy True or call You can also dtrue5@maine.rr.com. Make checks payable to Gray Auxiliary Unit 86, please note chicken or prime rib. Following the dinner, the district meetings will be held. Come out and show your support. Curtis Merrill, 2 st District Commander Debra Small, 1st District Vice President Membership

4 District Meetings District 6 Knox: Feb 27, Thomaston Post 37, 11 a.m. District 16 S. Aroostook: Mar. 5, Presque Isle Post 88, 1 p.m. dinner followed by mtg. (nominations committee) District 13 Penobscot: Mar. 6, Millinocket Post 80, 2 p.m., mtg. at 970 Central St. District 12 Hancock: Mar. 8, Blue Hill Post 85, 6:30 p.m. dinner, mtg. to follow District 9 Kennebec: Mar. 9, Waterville Post 5, 7 p.m. Spaghetti supper starting at 5:30 prior to the district meeting. Donations accepted. District 3 Androscoggin: Mar. 13, Sabattus Post 135, 2 p.m., nominations for District officers. District 2 Cumberland: Mar 13, Portland Post 161, 11 a.m., Legion Dist. 2 & Aux Dist. 1 District 5 Oxford: Mar. 16, Norway Post 82, 6 p.m. light supper, 7 p.m. mtg. District 14 Piscataquis: Mar. 19, Sangerville Post 165, 12 p.m. Lunch, 1 p.m. mtg. District 1 York: Mar. 20, Kezar Falls Post 123 (Porter Post), 2 p.m. Refreshments to follow, donations welcome. District 11 Waldo: Mar. 20, Stockton Springs Post 157, 2 p.m. Military Trivia In the Enlistment Oath, who do military enlisted personnel swear to obey the orders of? Pool League Tournament: Mondays, Winthrop Post 40, 7-10 p.m. Free Pool: Saturdays, Winthrop Post 40, anyone can sign up. Public Supper: Third Saturday of the month, Dixfield Post 100, $7 adults, Children ½ price, meals vary, FMI call Live Music: Fridays, Sanford Post 19. Recurring Events Friday Night Karaoke: Fridays, Augusta Post 2, 6:30 p.m. 3 Card Challenge: Fridays, Gardiner Post 4 Club Room, 6 p.m. Saturday Night Dance: Saturdays, Augusta Post 2, 7 p.m., $7, live bands. Texas Hold-Em Poker: Sundays, Winthrop Post 40, 2 p.m., $55 Buy-in. Lakeside Dining Lunch Wagon: Sunny days, Winthrop Post 40, 12-4 p.m., in front of Post. Livermore Falls Post 10 Public Supper: Always the third Sat., 17 Reynolds Avenue, 4:30-6 p.m. The best beans and casseroles around, $7 Adults, $4 students under 12. For local delivery call

5 Baked Bean Supper, Biddeford Post 26, third Sat. of each month, 4:30 6 p.m., $8 adults, $5 under 12. Line dancing: Thursdays, Sabattus Post 135, 6:30 p.m. Texas Hold-Em Tournament: First and third Tues. of the month, Augusta Post 2, 6:30 p.m. Dart Tournament: Every other Monday, Sabattus Post 135. Cribbage Tournament: Tuesday, Sabattus Post 135. Texas Hold-Em Poker: 1st and 3rd Wednesdays, 6:30 pm. Windham Veterans Association & Post 148 at Dena s Restaurant, next to Windham Post Office - Jct. Rtes. 115 & 302. $60 buy in. Fridays Nights DJ: Come dance the night away with our new DJ, Sabattus Post 135 Five Week Karaoke Contest Championship: Augusta Post 2, Starting Friday March 4 - April 1, 9 11 p.m. Sock Hop March 4 at 6:30 p.m. Come one come all members and guests welcome! Spaghetti Supper: Second Saturday of the month, Lebanon Post 214, Adults $7, Children under 10 free. Held at the hall in the First Parish Congregational Church, 650 Center Road, Lebanon, Maine. FMI, please call Current Events Texas Hold'em: Feb. 27, Locke Mills Post 68, 595 Gore Rd. Doors open at 11 a.m., games begin at noon. $50 buy-in, $5 license, high hand option. 50/50, meals and beverages available, BYOB. FMI, please call Ray at Red Cross Blood Drive: Feb. 27, sponsored by Berwick Post 79 and Unit 79, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. at the Berwick United Methodist Church (intersection of Routes 9 & 236, across from Cumberland Farms). Walk-ins are welcome, but avoid wait time by calling RED CROSS ( ) to make an appointment. For more information, please visit Veterans Creative Arts Show: Mar. 1, VA Maine Healthcare Theater, Visual Arts Display 10 a.m. 2 p.m. Performing Arts Show, 2 5 p.m. FMI on performing arts, please call Liz Marrone, CTRS, ATRIC or toll free at or Elizabeth.Marrone@va.gov. FMI on visual arts, please call Courtney Oliver, CTRS at x 4589 or Courtney.Oliver@va.gov. Donations to help with the cost of this show may be sent to ALA, Department of Maine earmarked Maine Veterans Creative Arts Festival. Public Supper: Mar. 5, Gray Post 86, 5-6 p.m. Beans and casseroles, pies for dessert. Adults $8, Children under 12, $4. Dance: Mar. 5, Gardiner Post 4, 7 11 p.m. Rock St. Band, $5 cover charge. Members & guests welcome. Paint & Wine Party: Mar. 6, Augusta Post 2, 2 4 p.m. Cash Bar w/free Finger Food. Come one come all members and guests welcome. Birthday Party: Mar. 13, Augusta Post 2, 1 p.m. Come one come all members and guests welcome. St. Patty s Day Open Jukebox: Mar. 17, Gardiner Post 4, 3 8 p.m. Light finger foods & snacks. No charge. Members & guests welcome.

6 DJ Lena Bragg: Mar. 19, Gardiner Post 4, 7 11 p.m. $3 cover charge. Members & guests welcome. Comedy Night: Mar. 23, Augusta Post 2, 7 p.m. Come one come all members and guests welcome. Donations New Dimensions Federal Credit Union Sappi Nickerson & O Day, Inc. Herbert Beckman, Waterville Post 178 Charles Foss Harpswell Post 171 District 14 Piscataquis County District 14 Piscataquis County $300 Boys State $250 Boys State $100 Boys State $52 Boys State $20 - Blind Camp, in memory of Lois Worcester $50 Blind Camp $100 Blind Camp $100 Beals House, in memory of Lois Worcester Kudos A donation of $100 for the purchase of new bingo balls for Dixfield Post 100 and $50 to Wounded Heroes was made by Jean Shaw, one of our bingo participants. Answer to military trivia question: The President and officers. Best Wishes to The Legion family, Paul L Heureux Department Adjutant

7 VETERANS!! Are you aware of your Federal and State benefits earned from your service??? Do you know who to contact for assistance with Disability Compensation Issues, Health Care and Legal Issues, Survivor Benefits, Vocational Rehabilitation & Employment Come join The Maine Bureau of Veteran Services, Veterans Health Administration, Pine Tree Legal, Veterans Benefits Administration, Lewiston Veterans Center, Womens Veterans Program Manager, Department of Labor and The American Legion for a Benefits Information Seminar Saturday March 5th, 2016 from 1pm-3pm in the Forum at Oxford Hills Comprehensive High School 256 Main St, South Paris, Maine (Meet and Greet 12:30 pm) Sponsored by: Anderson Staples Post 112 American Legion Oxford ME. FMI: Call Rick Nugent Post Service Officer

8 CANADIAN FRIENDSHIP AWARD Nomination Report (Information Sheet) Purpose: To submit nomination(s) for the Canadian Friendship Award. Conditions: It shall be awarded to specific individuals who shall be war veterans within the accepted meaning of the term and members of an authentic veteran s organization in Canada. The award shall be given to individuals in recognition of outstanding service in the field of veterans affairs and in the development and perpetuation of the spirit of international goodwill and comradeship between The United States and Canada and between their veterans organization and The American Legion. Nominations may be made by any member of The American Legion in good standing, under such rules and regulations as shall be approved for such award. Nominations: Receipt of award is limited to one (1) per branch and nominations are limited to one (1) per post. Documentation: Each nomination shall be thoroughly documented (testimonials and other credentials, newspaper clippings, copies of awards, etc.) by the person placing the name in nomination. If space on the nomination form is insufficient, additional pages may be attached for consideration. The nominator will be responsible for making definite time/place/presentation plans, subject to approval of the nominee for the award. Deadline: Nominations must reach Department Headquarters by January 31. Mail to: The American Legion Department of Maine 5 Verti Drive Winslow, Maine

9 NOMINATION FORM AT END OF SMILE - DUPLICATE AS NECESSARY Form Must Reach Department by January 31 THE AMERICAN LEGION CANADIAN FRIENDSHIP AWARD NOMINATION FORM PLEASE TYPE OR PRINT LEGIBLY Nominee s Full Name Address Nominee is a member of, an authentic veterans (Veterans Organization Name, Branch or Chapter #) organization in Canada. Nominee is a veteran of the Armed Forces of Canada and served during, at which time Canada was allied with the United States of America. (Name of War) Nominee holds, or has held, the following offices in (Name of Veterans Organization) This nomination for the Canadian Friendship Award is recommended in recognition of outstanding service in the field of veterans affairs and for service and contributions made in the development and preservation of good will and comradeship between the veterans organization of the nominee and The American Legion, as is evidenced by the following: (NOTE: PLEASE ATTACH ADDITIONAL SUPPORTING DOCUMENTION TO THIS FORM.) RECEIPT OF THIS AWARD IS LIMITED TO ONE PER BRANCH AND NOMINATIONS ARE LIMITED TO ONE PER POST. THIS SECTION TO BE COMPLETED BY MEMBER OF THE AMERICAN LEGION SUBMITTING NOMINATION (Name) (Department) (Post) (Member ID No.) (Street Address) (City) (State) (Zip Code) (Signature) (Date Submitted) MAIL COMPLETED NOMINATION FORM BY JANUARY 31 TO: The American Legion, Department of Maine, 5 Verti Drive, Winslow, Maine

10 THE AMERICAN LEGION HUMANITARIAN AWARD Criteria: an American Legion Post must endorse Candidates for the Annual Humanitarian Award. Accomplishments of the individual must be over and above his or her usual vocation; in most cases his/her deeds would not be in his/her chosen field of endeavor; but consideration would be given to someone whose activities in his/her field of work was far in excess of what one would expect in that field. Applicants may be male or female, veteran or non-veteran, Legionnaire or non-legionnaire. If there is a very close competition, a veteran should be chosen over a non-veteran, and a Legionnaire over a non-legionnaire, all other things being equal. A majority vote of the Humanitarian Award Committee will be final. Procedure: an American Legion Post must endorse Candidates for this Award. Deadline for submission of nominations will be May 1 of each year. PLEASE PRINT OR TYPE INFORMATION: THE AMERICAN LEGION HUMANITARIAN AWARD This form must accompany all nominations Name: Address: Birth date: Education: Family: Sponsored by Post No. of Resume of activities to be considered for this award: Two letters of support from parties having actual knowledge of the candidate s activities must accompany this form. This nomination form must be signed by the appropriate Post official and sent to: The American Legion, Department of Maine, 5 Verti Drive, Winslow, Maine by May 1. The Humanitarian Award will be presented annually at the Department Convention. APPROVED: Post official's signature Post No. Date Please use additional sheets if necessary. This form may be reproduced.