Since 1992
Print and digital marketing
AUGUSTA — The Maine Bureau of Veterans’ Services will host a veteran recognition ceremony and art show from 9 to 11 a.m. Friday, Nov. 8, at the Maine State House, 210 State St., where veterans will be awarded the new State of Maine Honorable Service Coin meant to honor all Maine Veterans, past and present, regardless of their branch or era of service. The event is co-hosted by the Maine Arts Commission.
U.S. military members have a longstanding tradition of carrying special “challenge coins” to symbolize branch and unit identity and foster “esprit de corps.” In 2002, the Maine Bureau of Veterans’ Services commissioned the first of four bronze plaques that now hang in the Hall of Flags at the Maine State Capitol, each representing Veterans who served in World War II, Korea, and Vietnam, as well as female veterans. A likeness of each of the four plaques was made into coins that are regularly presented to Maine Veterans based on their era of service.
As many other Maine Veterans have served during peacetime and in conflicts other than WWII, Korea and Vietnam, in the fall of 2018, the bureau worked with local Maine artist Georgette Kanach to design the State of Maine’s first-ever “Honorable Service Coin” and plaque that will also hang in the Hall of Flags at the Maine State House. Going forward, the bureau will present the new coin, along with a certificate of appreciation to Maine veterans in acknowledgement of their service and sacrifice, as part of its dedicated veteran recognition program.
“One of the important missions of the bureau is to extend a ‘Thank You’ to our veterans to properly recognize their service,” said David Richmond, Director of the Maine Bureau of Veterans’ Services. “These events are a great opportunity to publicly celebrate and acknowledge their service. The Maine Arts Commission was instrumental in our selection of Ms. Kanach, the designer of the coin and the future plaque, and I really appreciate their expertise and collaboration. This ceremony will be the first official public presentation of the Honorable Service Coin and we’re thrilled to have the opportunity to unveil it.”
Online registration is free, and veterans must present the bureau with DD214 to receive recognition.To learn more about available resources for veterans and their families, contact the Maine Bureau of Veterans’ Services at 207-430-6035 or visit www.maine.gov/veterans.
Informationally, there is free public parking in front of the Cross Office Building, accessible from Sewall Street, and in the multi-level parking garage on the corner of Capitol and Sewall streets. There are several additional smaller lots, northeast of the parking garage, near the Blaine House, on Wade and Grove Streets.
Handicapped parking spaces are located between the State House and the Cross Office Building and on the Capitol Street side of the west entrance. There are additional spaces on the lower levels of the parking garage and near the north end of the Cross Office Building lot. The public entrance to the State House is on the back, facing the Cross Office Building.
aine Capitol Police conduct entry screening of all visitors to the Maine State House, including students. To expedite the screening process, please:
* Arrive early to give enough time needed for the screening process. Leave bags, unnecessary metal objects, and other personal belongings in your vehicle.
* Phones, keys, and other personal belongings brought into the State House will be screened by an x-ray machine. If you have any metal in your body i.e. shrapnel, replacement knee or hip, be prepared to produce a medical card or doctor’s letter to the screening officer.
PHOTO: A rendering of the winning design for the new Maine Veteran Honorable Service Recognition Coin, designed by Georgette Kanach of Gray. (Maine Bureau of Veterans’ Services photo)
