Rep. Briggs searching for veterans

REGION -- The Maine Bureau of Veterans' Services or as it is better known “Maine Veterans’ Services” conducts periodic presentation ceremonies around the State to provide an opportunity for the family and friends of veterans to attend a local recognition ceremony to see their loved one recognized for their military service.

The State of Maine has established a recognition program to honor the service and sacrifices of ALL Maine veterans. The recognition program includes honoring those who were wounded, POWs, or died in support of combat operations since the beginning of WW II.

The state is looking for all Maine veterans, including the following: Purple Heart recipients, Prisoners of War, or the families of those who died during WW II, Korea and Vietnam wars. Families of some of the fallen war hero's from the River Valley area the state is searching for are: Warren T. Hinkley, Rupert L. Torrey, Thomas L. Van Over, Wallace E. Dillingham, Richard E. Holland, Joseph Balcunas, Dennis J. Carey, Gerard J. Chiasson, Adelard C. Giasson, John M. Hickey, Robert E. Moore, Hubert A. Morin, Malcom Rand, Ernest L. Trask, Jr., and Maurice E. Vienneau.

The state is also looking to recognize and present each veteran with an Honorable Service Certificate for their dedicated service to our country. If a veteran has not received a certificate yet, a simple application should be completed and accompanied by their DD-214 or Discharge in order to receive the medal(s) and/or certificate. The application form may also be picked up at the Mexico Town Office Tuesday through Friday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. or call Rep. Sheryl Briggs at 364-5665.

More information on the program can be found on the Bureau of Veterans’ Services’ website at http://www.maine.gov/dvem/bvs/ and by clicking on the Maine Heroes button on the left of the page. You can also get information on the program by calling the Bureau’s central office in Augusta at 626-4464.

Rep. Briggs plans to hold her third ceremony at the Dixfield Swasey-Torrey American Legion Post #100 to pay tribute to such recipients. In honor of the upcoming Veteran's Day in November, the ceremony is going to take place at 1 p.m. on Friday, November 9. “I have been working for the past several months in search of veterans in anticipation for this ceremony. I have had a great number of responses from veterans looking forward to receiving their respective award(s) at this ceremony. Many of our WW II Veterans are passing on so I would like to continue to recognize them as soon as possible. If a veteran is unable to come to the ceremony, other arrangements will be made to make sure they receive their medal(s) and/or certificate. Please call me. If anyone has any further questions, feel free to call the central office in Augusta. I am looking forward to upcoming ceremony.”