THE MAINE LEGIONNAIRE, AUGUST 2016 25 District 6 continued Rededication Ceremony: Camden Post 30 Color Guard participated in the Blue Star Memorial Highway rededication at the Maj. Gen. Henry Knox homestead, Montpelier, in Thomaston, Maine on May 29. The original sign had been neglected for many years and was found covered and obstructed from view by an overgrowth of arborvitae. Through restoration efforts and donations from Posts in District 6, the sign was ready to be rededicated. Left to right, Sandy Lyle USCG, Rosey Gerry USAF, John Hyssong USA, Rob Stewart USAF, Gary Henry USMC, and Mark Thurlow USA all Post 30 members. Photo below, left to right, Associate Director Gen Henry Knox Museum Tobin Malone, and District Commander 6 Ray Lewis performing the Ceremony. Wiscasset Post 54 Color Guard: The Bradford-Sortwell -Wright American Legion Post 54 in Wiscasset provides the color guard for Wiscasset Middle High School s varsity baseball and softball opening day Sunday, April 24. The color guard includes Wiscasset Post 54 Commander William Cossette, Sergeant at Arms Jim Savage, and 2nd Vice Commander John Kennedy. Photo By Paula Roberts Published in the Wiscasset Newspaper District 8 Congratulations!!! District 8 for providing the most number of pictures & articles for publication in The Maine Legionnaire. Scouts Help Wiscasset Post 54: Cub Scouts from Pack 602 help Legionnaires place flags on veterans graves in a cemetery on Federal Street in Wiscasset on April 28. Left to right, Den Leader Sarah Joyce, Scout Sullivan Joyce, American Legion Service Officer Neil Page and Scout Wesley Bragan. District 7 Cub Scout Pack 602 member Garrett Marshall, left, helps American Legion Post 54 Commander Bill Cossett (standing) and 2nd Vice Commander John Kennedy place flags on the graves of veterans in a cemetery on Federal Street in Wiscasset on April 28. Photo by Susanne Smith-Pinkham Published in the Wiscasset Newspaper May 11, 2016 Photo by Susanne Smith-Pinkham Published in the Wiscasset Newspaper, May 11, 2016 Harpswell Post 171 Memorial Day Parade: Post 171 Color Guard. Left to right, Chris Collins USAF (hidden), Bill Allen USCG (hidden), Bill O Connell USAF, Sgt. At Arms Steve Collins USA, 1st Vice Bob Webber USAF, Chuck Collins USN. Photo by Susan Millar Photo by Else Boland Harpswell Post 171 Flag Retirement Ceremony July 1. Left to right, Bill O Connell USAF, Cdr. Mike Doyle USA, 1st Vice Bob Webber USAF, Chaplain Roger Dumont USN (Ret), Gary Cornwell USN (Ret), Chris Collins USAF, Sgt. At Arms Steve Collins USA, Adjutant Richard Rector USAF. Unserviceable flags were collected during the past year throughout Harpswell at the Recycling Center, the three post offices and two libraries.
26 THE MAINE LEGIONNAIRE, AUGUST 2016 District 8 continued Topsham Post 202 Ammunition Therapy: Leading Candidate for National Commander Charles Schmidt fires a shot after receiving a brief overview on the Ammunition Therapy Program from Topsham Post 202 member Jonathan T. Fields. Memorial Day Parade March: Marching in the Harpswell Memorial Day parade, Post 171 members. Left to right, Bugler Rollie Weeman USAF, Chris Collins USAF, Bill Allen USCG, Cdr. Mike Doyle USA, Bill O Connell USAF, Roger Dumont USN (Ret), Steve Collins USA, 1st Vice Bob Webber USAF, and Chuck Collins USN. Roger Dumont was the Speaker at the Town Memorial Day Ceremony immediately following the parade. Photo by Susan Millar WWII Member Is Grand Marshal For Harpswell Memorial Day Parade: Grand Marshal of the Harpswell Memorial Day parade and Post 171 member Dick Parks USN, WWII being driven by Gary Cornwell USN (Ret). Photo by Else Boland Memorial Day Speaker: Post 171 Chaplain Roger Dumont USN (Ret) was the Speaker at the Harpswell Memorial Day Ceremony. Left to right, Gayle Doyle, Rev. Nancy White, Singer Dan McMahon, Parade/Ceremony Organizer Shirley Thompson (partially hidden), Parade Grand Marshal Dick Parks (mostly hidden behind Shirley), Roger, Singer Dorie Barnes, Sign Language Interpreter Nancy Andersen, Cdr. Mike Doyle. Photo by Susan Millar Wreath Ceremony: Post 171 Memorial Day Wreath Ceremony at Ewing Narrows Bridge, Harpswell. Leaving the bridge after tossing a wreath into the Narrows, to remember all lost at sea. Right to left, Bill Allen USCG, carrying the US Flag; Bill O Connell USAF with the Legion flag; Laddie Whidden USN, who raises and lowers the flag at Harpswell Center every day; 1st Vice Bob Webber USAF, who threw the wreath into the Narrows; Chaplain Roger Dumont USN (Ret), who was the Speaker at the Memorial Day Ceremony at Harpswell Center; Chris Collins USAF; Chuck Collins USN; Sgt. At Arms Steve Collins USA; Cdr. Mike Doyle USA. Not shown is 2nd Vice and Bugler Rollie Weeman USAF. Photo by Else Boland Phippsburg Post 216 100% Membership: John Hargreaves, National Vice Commander for the Northeast region, left, presents Post 216 Adjutant Mike Young with a 100% membership Certificate at the Post s annual Veterans Appreciation Day BBQ on June 25th. Commander Ken Kellogg is in the background holding a Post Excellence Award also presented by National Vice Commander Hargreaves. Veterans receive Certificates of Honor for their military service at the Phippsburg Post 216 Annual Veterans Appreciation Day BBQ on June 25th. Left to right, Navy Seaman Chip Wesley, Coast Guard BM2 Jim Meese, Sgt-at-Arms Dave Barnes, Commander Ken Kellogg, and 1st Vice Commander Gary Flemmings. Photo by Chiloa Young Photo by Chilloa Young Navy Seaman John Riley, left, receives his Certificate of Honor from Commander Ken Kellogg at the Post 216 annual Veterans Appreciation Day BBQ on June 25th. Photo by Chilloa Young Flag Disposal Ceremony: Post 216 members and the Girl Scouts conduct a flag disposal ceremony on June 11th at the Town Hall parking lot. Left to right, Brownie Caleigh Williams, Sgt-at- Arms Dave Barnes, Comrade Bruce MacMillan. Photo by Adjutant Mike Young
THE MAINE LEGIONNAIRE, AUGUST 2016 27 District 8 continued Phippsburg Post 216 member Bob Morse sets a US Flag on a veteran s grave May 22 in preparation for Memorial Day. The Post members put 212 flags out in 42 public and private cemeteries. Raising Funds In Support Of Veterans: Post 216 members do yard work at a local business on May 14th to raise funds for programs in support of veterans. Left to right, Comrade Fred Libby, Sgt-at-Arms Dave Barnes, Adjutant Mike Young, Commander Ken Kellogg, Comrade Bruce MacMillan, Comrade Bob Morse, Comrade Fred Libby, Chaplain Richard Spear. Photo by ChilloaYoung Veterans Appreciation Day: Past Dept. Commander Ronald Rainfrette, left, presents Phippsburg Post 216 Commander Ken Kellogg with a Certificate of Appreciation from National Commander Dale Barnett at the Post s Annual Veterans Appreciation Day BBQ on June 25th. Photo by ChilloaYoung Plaque & Honor Ribbon Received: Douglas Alexander receives the Post 216 annual Law Enforcement Officer of the Year award for his 14 years of service as the Phippsburg Harbormaster, Patrol Officer, and Shellfish Warden (also in the Town of West Bath) at the May 12th meeting. He also has been a volunteer Firefighter with the Phippsburg Fire Department for 15 years and has served on various Town Committees since 1992 including the Harbor Commission, Town Landing Committee and Town Lands Management Committee. Left to right, Sgt-at-Arms Dave Barnes, Phippsburg Police Chief John Skroski, Doug s wife - Anita Alexander, Doug Alexander recipient of the award and CDR Ken Kellogg. Photo by Chilloa Young Blue Star Banner Received: Coast Guard Veteran Clifford Trebilcock and his wife Linda receive Blue Star Banners from Commander Ken Kellogg at Phippsburg Post 216 Annual Veterans Appreciation Day BBQ on June 25th. Veteran Trebilcock has five children and grandchildren currently serving on active duty. Photo by Chilloa Young District 9 Exchanging Stories: District 9 Americanism Officer Pat Eisenhart and war hero Travis Mills exchange jump stories of their days in the U.S. Paratroopers. Both were speakers at Old Fort Western Memorial Day services where Augusta Mayor David Rollins signed a proclamation declaring the state capitol a military friendly city. Invitation To The White House: Augusta Post 2 member Ron Roy, Silver Star recipient pictured on the far right, was a guest of President Obama at the recent Medal Honor ceremony for battle buddy Chuck Kettles. Roy and Kettles were recognized for the rescue and replenishment troops under heavy sustained mortar, machine gun, and rifle fire in 1967. Augusta Post 2 Lobster/ Steak Feed: Augusta Post 2 Adjutant Al Donnel entertained Past Post 2 Auxiliary President Marcella Downing at the Post 2 annual Lobster/Steak feed.
28 THE MAINE LEGIONNAIRE, AUGUST 2016 District 9 continued Hallowell Post 6 held their Installation Ceremony for new officers in May 2016. Left to right, Historian Michael Pelletier, Chaplain Ernest DeRaps, Service Officer James Owens, Installing Sgt-at-Arms Lester Dearborn, Installing Officer and NECA Brenda Dearborn, Commander Gerald Stuart, Finance Officer Mike Madden, Adjutant Larry Auger, 1st Vice Commander Bob McKenna, and 2nd Vice Commander Donny Garrison. Memorial Day Remembrance: Goodrich-Caldwell Post 6 Memorial Day remembrance. Comrade Steve Mairs, left, lays a wreath assisted by Comrade Lawrence Iaciofano III at the Legion Park in Hallowell. Full Military Honors Received at Mont Ste. Carmel Cemetery ILLE, Maine - On July 23, 2016 L Raymond Dionne of Grand Isle received full military honors at a service at Mont Ste. Carmel Cemetery in Lille. Cpt Dionne was honored to serve his country during World War II, seeing action in the woods and fields of Europe. The potato farmer, who was good at math and smart enough to become an officer in U.S. Army, returned home after the war. Passing away at Togus in 1976, Dionne always thought of his military service with high regard and his daughter, Diana Dionne-Morang, said that at his passing he wanted a military service. However, Dionne was not afforded that option in 1976. Since that time, the federal government has taken steps to ensure veterans are afforded such graveside services, even if it is years after they have passed away. In 1999, the Strom Thurmond National Defense Authorization Act was passed, which states that each eligible veteran shall be provided, at minimum, a two-person funeral honors detail, the playing of taps, and the folding and presentation of a U. S. flag to the family. Thanks to these changes and his daughter s efforts, a military service for Cpt Raymond JB Dionne took place nearly 40 years after his death. American Legion Levasseur-Farrell Post #49 Van Buren s Honor Guard performed the honors and the Maine Army National Guard played taps and folded and presented the flag to Diana. Other Posts participating included Thomas O. Cyr Post #147, Madawaska, Ray Goding Post #88 Presque Isle, and William R Bold Post #181 Litchfield. Flag Day Ceremonies held on June 14 at the Goodrich-Caldwell Post 6 in Hallowell. Memorial Day Observance: Goodrich- Caldwell Post 6 Memorial Day observance at the Civil War monument in Hallowell. First Vice Commander Donnie Garrison with Rev. Thomas De- Raps delivering the opening prayer. WWII Veteran Helps Raise Funds For Post 181: Keith Estabrook, a WWII veteran and 44 year member of American Legion William R. Bold Post #181, Litchfield sells tickets to help raise funds for the Post. Keith has also been a member of the Kennebec County Veteran s Honor Guard for several decades, is the Honor Guard s Chaplain, has been the Chaplain to open several sessions of the Maine legislature, is the Chaplain for Post #181, and has been a minister in Litchfield for over 60 years. Dionne Memorial Service: Group picture includes members of American Legion Posts 49, 147, 88, and 181; Auxiliary members of Posts 49 and 147; and Post 147 Legion Riders. Ms. Dionne-Morang is in the center of the picture. New Look For Monmouth Post 204 Trailer: The American Legion, Post 204, Monmouth purchased a trailer and had it lettered by Diane's Signs. Monmouth Post 204 awarded three winners with $500 scholarships on June 10. The winners were Duncan Gaghan-Grant, Cheyenne Gray and Anderson Houston. Commander Tracy Gray announced the winners, and Arthur Esman gave the certificates to the graduates while 2nd Vice Don Morin took the pictures. Commander Tracy Gray and Arthur Esman are pictured here with the principal Mr. Amero of Monmouth Academy.
THE MAINE LEGIONNAIRE, AUGUST 2016 29 District 12 Stonington Post 102 SSgt August R. O Niell, Pararescueman, USAF, the first above the knee amputee in Air Force Pararescue to be returned to full duty, is pictured above with his brother Major Robert A. Effler II, Pararescueman, USAF, and Robert s children, after the awards ceremony for sit down volleyball at the Invictus Games, where Team USA took the gold! August also received the Invictus Flag from Mrs. Michelle Obama, and repelled into the Opening ceremony, to present the flag to the Team USA Commander to be flown for the games. August & Robert are the sons of MSgt Deborah E. Alley, USAF, Ret. and step-sons of former SSgt Ronald E. Alley. All 4 of Stonington Post 102. District 13 Photo by Alexis Effler Lincoln Post 77 Bridge Dedication Ceremony: Lincoln Post 77 Honor Guard proudly taking part in a bridge dedication ceremony. The bridge was named "The Captain Jay Brainard Gold Star Memorial Bridge" in Atkinson, he is a hometown hero who is missed by many. Sentiment Awarded: Representative Sheldon Hanington, left, and Lincoln Post 77 Commander Darrell Savage, right, present WWII Veteran Burleigh Cummins with a sentiment from the Governor of Maine Paul LePage and his wife Ann LePage. Certificate of Appreciation: Lincoln Post 77 Adjutant Pat Ferris, left, and Commander Darrell Savage, right, present WWII Veteran Burleigh Cummins a Certificate of Appreciation. Swearing In Ceremony of Lincoln Post 77's newest member Elton Shedd who was 21 years active Air Force. Commander Darrell Savage and Sgt. at Arms Jim Ewing are performing the ceremony and proudly welcome him to our Post. Left to right, Post 77 Sgt-At-Arms Jim Ewing, Post 77 Commander Darrell Savage, and Elton Shedd. District 14 Farewell Celebration: A farewell dinner for long time Lincoln Post 77 member Don Polk and his wife Judy was a fun occasion. He was a Past Commander, a current Honor Guard member and a Marine Corps. League member. He was presented a Certificate of Appreciation from Lincoln Post 77 Commander Darrell Savage, right, and a sentiment from Representative Sheldon Hanington. Hampden Post 213: The American Legion Hampden Memorial Post 213 spent an hour with the first graders at the Earl C. McGraw School on June 14. Four members of the post were present teaching the children about the American Flag and Flag Day. The veterans talked to the children about the meaning of the colors of the flag, how to properly display and treat the flag, and also fielded questions from the children. The veterans handed out American Flags and "Young American" certificates to the children as well as giving each class a copy of the Flag Etiquette book. The "Young American" certificates were given out to show our appreciation for them saying the pledge of allegiance as well as acting properly when the pledge was being said. After the classroom portion, all of the first graders went outside to the flag pole and the veterans discussed how to properly raise, lower, and half-staff the flag. Pictured sitting is Curt Slininger, and standing is Leo Buzz Belanger. Also present but not pictured is Ken Preble. Milo Post 41 Legionnaire Tim Robinson and co-founder with his brother Chris of The Wilderness Walk for Warriors is shown with the Legion Flag at the top of Mt Katahdin. Tim and a group of volunteers completed the 110 mile wilderness portion of the Appalachian Trail in 10 days starting on 16 July at an American Legion send off in the town of Monson hosted by the American Legion Post 116 Monson, Post 94 Greenville and Post 41 Milo and the American Legion 14th District (Piscataquis County).
30 THE MAINE LEGIONNAIRE, AUGUST 2016 Machias Post 9 Memorial Day Celebration District 14 continued World War II Veteran LeRoy L. Knowlton of Dexter and member of American Legion Post 119 of Guilford spent July 22 to 24 in Washington DC with Honor Flight Maine. The program takes WWII Veterans to the WWII Memorial and other Memorials in Washington DC free of charge. During the visit they also went to Arlington Cemetery, Fort Meade, MD and Fort McHenry in Baltimore. At Fort Meade the 27 WWII Veterans helped raise the large daytime flag. LeRoy was accompanied by his son Brian Knowlton (US Army Retired) also of Dexter and Post Commander of Guilford Post 119. Upon return to Portland they were met with a water cannon salute on the taxi way and they a large reception in the terminal where they were met by Military members, Veterans' Organizations, the Shrine Honor Guard, Scouts and other groups. If you know any WWII Veterans there is another trip going October 28 to 30, 2016. For information contact Honor Flight at www.honorflightmaine.org or 207 3707211. Machias Post 9 member Raymond Phillips, checks the flags on his truck before the Memorial Day Parade. Photo by Post 119 Commander Brian Knowlton at The National WW II Memorial District 15 Veterans Honor Guard: Calais Post 3 Honor Guard, left to right, LTC Andy Pottle, SGT Jimmy Moffitt, SFC Tom Reis, SGT Victor Voisine & Calais Post 3 Commander Michael Mclean. Calais Legion Flags: Calais Post 3 Commander Michael McLean putting up flags for the Project Legion Flags in Calais. The Calais Post started the Project Legion Flags in May 2014. As of this date there are approx. 100 flags throughout Calais because of this project. Group Photo of Machias Post 9 family members. Left to right, Crystal Cushing, Raymond Phillips, Karen Wood, Ken Getchell, Walt Getchell, and Lois Hubbard. Memorial Day Ceremony: Machias Post 9 and District 15 Commander Ike Hubbard after a ceremony at Longfellow Cemetery in Machias. Marker installed by the cemetery association after Machias Post 9 donated a new fiberglass flagpole. Photos by Lisa Berg and Rod Karashima Pearl Harbor Survivor and Machias Post 9 member Bob Cole enjoying the ride Memorial Day Parade ride.
THE MAINE LEGIONNAIRE, AUGUST 2016 31 POST NAME CONFLICT Post 4 Gardiner Daniel Alexander Vietnam Post 4 Gardiner Fred I. Wilson Korea Post 5 Waterville Real J. Cyr WWII Post 5 Waterville Leo P. LaPointe WWII Post 5 Waterville Howard W. Swett Korea Post 5 Waterville Roderick J. Potter Vietnam Post 5 Waterville Gustave G. Doyon Vietnam Post 5 Waterville Maynard C. Gray Korea Post 5 Waterville John M. Joseph WWII Post 5 Waterville Robert Mathieu Vietnam Post 5 Waterville Stephen D. Maddocks Korea Post 5 Waterville Harry B. Fitzpatrick Vietnam Post 5 Waterville George A. Roderigue Korea Post 5 Waterville Joseph W.M. Lachance Korea Post 13 East Millinocket Thomas Pelletier Jr. Korea Post 20 Brunswick Ralph Turner WWII Post 24 Rumford Lawrence Kerr WWII Post 24 Rumford Louis Razzano WWII Post 24 Rumford Raymond Gaudet Korea Post 24 Rumford Daniel Rand Vietnam Post 24 Rumford Henry Arsenault WWII Post 24 Rumford Elbert R. Theriault Korea Post 24 Rumford Richard Sarle Sr. WWII Post 30 Camden Angelo J. Spiro WWII Post 30 Camden Willard Hardy Sr. WWII Post 30 Camden John R. Kincade WWII Post 32 Pittsfield Daniel Grover Korea Post 36 Boothbay Harbor Harland Rice WWII Post 40 Winthrop Richard L. Weymouth Sr. Korea Post 40 Winthrop Ronald E. Merrifield Korea Post 40 Winthrop Arthur O. Hewett WWII Post 40 Winthrop Merle I. Auclair Korea/Vietnam Post 49 Van Buren Albert J. Morrow WWII Post 50 Unity Austin M. Gardiner WWII Post 52 Oakfield Lewis E. Swallow WWII Post 55 Limerick Boyce F. Norton Vietnam Post 57 Old Orchard Beach Lionel J. Bernier Jr. Vietnam Post 58 Buckfield Robert R. Morrell Vietnam Post 58 Buckfield Earle F. Abbott Vietnam Post 59 Pembroke William S. Follis III Vietnam Post 62 Westbrook Everett G. Smyth Korea Post 72 South Paris Peter C. Collette Sr. Korea Post 75 Old Town Clarence Daigle WWII Post 75 Old Town William Cox Vietnam Post 75 Old Town Keith Daggett Vietnam Post 75 Old Town Bruce Arnold Vietnam District 17 POST NAME CONFLICT Post 77 Lincoln Temple M. Ireland Vietnam Post 78 Strong Frederick H. Gage WWII Post 78 Strong Clifford H. Haggan Vietnam Post 82 Norway Reginald W. Record Korea Post 84 Orono Bryant N. Peterson Vietnam Post 94 Greenville Earl E. Thompson WWII Post 102 Stonington Myron S. Hardy WWII Post 105 Newport John F. Ayer Jr. Korea Post 105 Newport Philip R. Brown WWII Post 105 Newport Louise M. Connelly WWII Post 105 Newport Almer Davis WWII Post 105 Newport Reed Dunphy Vietnam Post 105 Newport Lawrence W. Johnson WWII Post 105 Newport Charles T. Keegan Sr. Vietnam Post 105 Newport Alvin L. Norris Korea Post 105 Newport Earl O Farrell WWII Post 105 Newport Jack F. Randall WWII Post 105 Newport Bevley Rines WWII Post 105 Newport Dorne H. Smith WWII Post 105 Newport John M. Wentworth WWII Post 105 Newport Earl G. Gray Post 105 Newport Sidney B. Gray WWII Post 105 Newport Charles F. Talmadge WWII Post 112 Oxford Frederick H. Gagne Sr. WWII Post 118 Mars Hill George Hatt Korea Post 118 Mars Hill Jerry L. Kingsbury Korea Post 134 Alfred James F. Waters Korea Post 147 Madawaska Edmund W. Albert Korea Post 148 Windham Joseph Labbe Vietnam Post 153 Auburn Louis L Heureux Korea Post 155 Naples Richard E. Denis Korea Post 155 Naples Curtis Danley Vietnam Post 157 Stockton Springs Newell E. Perkins WWII Post 158 Lisbon Richard Long Post 158 Lisbon Roland H. Lacasse WWII Post 158 Lisbon George S. Vasel WWII Post 164 Falmouth Jay Patch Vietnam Post 164 Falmouth Robert C. Witham WWII Post 171 Harpswell Walter M. Norton WWII Post 171 Harpswell Andrew H. DeBiasio WWII Post 173 New Portland Donald E. Tripp Korea Post 178 Waterville Albert Dagneau WWII Post 178 Waterville Chester Mee Vietnam Post 181 Litchfield Ernest R. Keene Vietnam Post 188 Eliot Delbert Spinney WWII Post 197 Westbrook Dennis C. Silke Vietnam A Flag Raising Frenchville Heritage Park US Flag that flew over the Capital Building in Washington DC, was obtained from Senator Susan Collins and given to the Frenchville Heritage Park in Frenchville, Maine. The Flag raising was the first flag to fly over the new community park. The Flag Raising Frenchville that took place on June 14 can be viewed on YouTube by visiting https:// www.youtube.com/watch? Grand Opening Ceremony: Van Buren Post 49 held a Grand Opening Ceremony by raising the American Flag at the Acadian Village Military Museum in Van Buren. In attendance were members of the Legion Honor Guard, Legionnaires, American Legion Auxiliary President and members, and the ALA 7th District Department Vice President and Alternate. St. John s Newfoundland Post CN-09 Installation: St. John s Post CN-09 held their installation dinner June 27. Left to right, M. Starr, E. Lupien, G. Walter, C. Woods, J. Guelich, R. Reiser, R. Cobb, B. Agriesti, J. Walther, H. Snippen & C. Carr.
32 THE MAINE LEGIONNAIRE, AUGUST 2016 Department of Maine American Legion 5 Verti Drive Winslow, ME 04901-0727 NON PROFIT ORANIZATION U.S. POSTAGE PAID WATERVILLE MAINE 04901 PERMIT NO. 6 Attention: Next Deadline is Oct. 28 he deadline for material, stories and/ T or pictures to be submitted for consideration for use in the November 2016 issue of The Maine Legionnaire will be October 28, 2016. Please be reminded that only those articles and/or pictures which are sent in proper form will be considered for publication. Ineligible stories or pictures that cannot be reproduced will be returned to you. A reminder that stories must be in story format, we are unable to compose your information for you. As always, the editorial staff may edit all submissions at its discretion. We are once again asking for input from all posts, auxiliary units, S.A.L. squadrons, individuals, etc. To make this paper informative to you, it is imperative that we receive submissions from the membership. Photos should be clearly marked as to who s who in the picture as well as who took the picture. Anyone interested in submitting a guest editorial should contact The Maine Legionnaire business office at: (207) 873-3229 or via email at: legionme@mainelegion.org. The American Legion, Department of Maine 100th Anniversary Members Directory he American Legion, Department of Maine is T working on its 100th Birthday Celebration. In order to make this a special event, we are offering all members the opportunity to be part of the history of our 100th Anniversary. The American Legion, Department of Maine has partnered with PCI (also known as Publishing Concepts) to produce our new 100th Anniversary Members Directory. PCI is a company that publishes directories for educational institutions, fraternities, sororities and military organizations across the nation. This hard-cover, yearbook style directory offers members of their survivors the opportunity for a permanent commemoration of the Legionnaires Legion career, including a narrative and photographs. Participation is voluntary. This benefits our organization in three ways: 1. It helps chronicle and commemorate our membership s Legion experiences as our Centennial celebration approaches. 2. Our directory will be analyzed and updated, completing missing information and removing outdated and/or incorrect information. 3. Our inactive members will be asked to participate and encouraged to renew their membership. The names, addresses and information provided to PCI by The American Legion, Department of Maine for the publication of the Directory will be held confidential by PCI. The Directory will be made available only to members of The American Legion, Department Maine. Upon completion of the project, PCI will return to The American Legion, Department of Maine any and all electronic files that have been supplied by The American Legion, Department of Maine or produced by PCI in connection with the production of the Directory. Only members of The American Legion, Department of Maine may purchase this Directory. The total duration of the Directory is about 12 months. Types of questions that will be asked are: Organization/Membership background, military Branch of Service, length of time, tour of duty and military awards with a short story to follow, status after the military, current job, are you retired, are you active within the American Legion, do you volunteer to work with Veterans or within the community and what was your greatest achievement in your post military career. You will also have the opportunity to provide a picture from the past or a current one. PCI representatives will be requesting your participation at some point throughout the next year. In the meantime, those that do wish to participate can gather photographs and narratives they may wish to share. More information will follow in the next issue of The Maine Legionnaire and on our Department website www.mainelegion.org Special Award: Roland St. Pierre of Alden M. Gayton Post 31, Auburn is presented with a special award from the Department of Maine 1st Vice Commander and newly elected State Commander Peter Johnson, left, and State Adjutant Paul L Heureux, right, for his generous donation of conference tables and podium for our new state headquarters in Winslow. This gift represents not only his exquisite skills of craftsmanship and design, but also his continuous support of fellow Veterans and Legionnaires. Accepting the award with Mr. St. Pierre during the 98th Annual State Convention is his wife Pauline. Care For Maine Veterans: Leading Candidate for National Commander Charles Schmidt, left, visits Togus VA Medical Center to discuss care in Maine with VA Center Director Ryan Lilly on May 14. RENEW YOUR MEMBERSHIP ONLINE TODAY: PLEASE VISIT WWW.LEGION.ORG/RENEW