POW Remains Homecoming

I am the Casualty Assistance Officer for the family of Pvt. Willard D. Merrill who died in WWII as a Cabanatuan Prisoner of War in 1942. His remains were recently identified and his next of kin is scheduling to have his remains flown to Bangor, Maine on June 7th. He will be buried in Dover-Foxcroft. I will not have the flight itinerary until 10 days prior to June 7th according to the Army Casualty Office. His remains are currently in Hawaii.

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Women Veterans Appreciation Day

Comrades, On June 13th from 1-3pm there will be a Women Veterans Appreciation Day held at the Hall of Flags at the State House. Attached is a flyer with all the details. Carl Lambert Department of Maine VFW Adjutant

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Patriotic Rally

Comrades, On 20 June at Poland Springs Resort we will be holding our Patriotic Rally starting at 7pm. There will be a DJ, cash bar, and appetizers. We will be making Christmas ornaments for our Military and their families. Along with taking donations of craft materials. Attached is a list of materials the program can use, along with a flyer with more information about the program. Please come and enjoy a night of camaraderie, music and fun. Please bring a donation with you if you plan to help make ornaments, or even if you arent making an ornament we will still gladly accept donations to help this program. Carl Lambert Department of Maine VFW Adjutant

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Convention BBQ

State Convention 2025 Barbeque
Saturday, 21 June from 12 - 1pm
$15 Dollars Burgers/Hotdogs/chips Cookies/Water, Ice tea, Lemonade

BBQ Registration

Pre-Convention & Convention details Registration

104th State Convention
Department of Maine VFW State Convention
20 – 22 June 2025
Poland Springs Resort
640 Main St, Poland Spring, ME 04274
Pre-Registration Rates - $ 7.00 Registration at Door - $ 10.00

Registration and more information

Need Help with Tuition?

Going back to school can be costly. Let the VFW's Help A Hero Scholarship help you achieve your educational goals without incurring excessive student loan debt.

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Hear Your State's Winner.

The 2024-2025 Voice of Democracy state winners have been chosen! Listen to the winning essay from your state.

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VFW 125th Anniversary

VFW Day: Celebrate the Legacy The following is a message from VFW National Commander Al Lipphardt

Celebrating the Legacy125th Anniversary

Day-Of-Service/

We Want You to Be a Part of This Annual Event The #StillServing campaign launched in 2020 to highlight the inspiring ways veterans continue to serve in communities across America. The fourth annual VFW Day of Service kicks off on the first SaDay of Service requirement is only for events that are conducted in May. Sign up at the following link. https://todaysvfw.org/vfw-day-of-service/

Day Of Service Entry Form

U.S. ARMY

The U.S. Army is made up of the most dedicated, most respected soldiers in the world. These soldiers protect America's Freedoms while serving at home and abroad, and they are always prepared to defend the nation in times of need.

U.S. MARINES

We are soldiers of the sea, providing forces and detachments to naval ships and shore operations. We are global leaders, developing expeditionary doctrine and innovations that set the example, and leading other countries' forces and agencies in the multinational military operations. These unique capabilities make us "First to Fight", and our nations first line of defense.

U.S. NAVY

America's Navy is a force as relevant today as it's been historically significan for the last 238 years. The times may change, the threats may become more obscure, the complex nature of 21st century life may make the demand for such presence less obvious. However, now more than ever, the Navy is something to be aware of Something to be thankful for. Something to be proud of.

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U.S. AIR FORCE

Air Force has a vision of Global Vigilance, Reach and Power. That vision orbits around three core competencies: developing airmen, technology to war fighting and integrating operations. These core competencies make our six distinctive capabilities possible.

U.S Space Force

The U.S. Space Force was established on Dec. 20, 2019, when the National Defense Authorization Act was signed into law, creating the first new branch of the armed services since 1947. The establishment of the USSF resulted from widespread recognition that space is a national security imperative. When combined with the growing threat posed by strategic competitors in space, it became clear that there was a need for a military service focused solely on pursuing superiority in the space domain.

NATIONAL GUARD

Our versatility enables us to respond to domestic emergencies, overseas combat missions, counter-drug efforts, reconstruction missions and more.

MORE INFOMORE INFO

U.S. COAST GUARD

We protect the personal safety and security of our people; the marine transportation system and infrastructure; our natural and economic resources; and the territorial integrity of our nation-from both internal and external threats, natural and man-made.

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WELCOME TO DEPARTMENT of MAINE

Fraternal, Patriotic, Historical, Charitale, and Educational
As yesterday's defenders of freedom, we want to welcome today's military service members into our ranks to become part of our elite group. Our common bond is the battlefield, whether it is service in the Persian Gulf, Korea, Kosovo, the War on Terrorism or peace-keeping expeditionary campaigns. Your courage and sacrifice have made a difference in preserving and defending world peace.
 
 

Commander's Corner

Commander Anthony R. Kimble

31 May 2025
Comrades and Auxiliary members,
Welcome to the 104 th Veterans of Foreign Wars, Department of Maine, Annual State Convention assembled in Poland Springs,
Maine.
It has been an honor and a privilege to serve as your Department Commander this past year and I look forward to serving as your
Immediate Past Department Commander this coming year. I promise to assist our incoming Commander and our Veterans in every
way I possibly can. I want to send a heartfelt "Thank-You” to my Officers and Chairman for all their hard work this year.
I want to "Thank” all the Posts and Districts that worked hard to reach 100% in Membership and an extra "Thank-You” for every Post
and District that achieved or exceeded the goal of 102%. I appreciate the work that you did in your communities and most importantly
what you have done to help Veterans and their Families. You demonstrated my motto, Veterans Serving Veterans, with honor. The
Veterans of Foreign Wars celebrated 125 years of existence this year and I know that with all your dedication to your posts, your
communities and the Department of Maine, we are on the right path for another 125 years and more.
My Commanders Special Project, House In the Woods, was more than just a project for me this year. Attending the VFW Day and
participating in a Veterans bird hunt with them to see how they operate and treat veterans firsthand during an event has changed me
forever. I received healing I did not know I needed and the fellowship I received from Paul, Angie and most importantly, the fellow
veteran hunters was more rewarding than harvesting any birds. I really think that was the whole point. Thank You Jim and Pam
Manter for doing a fantastic job as special project chairperson, you really added your personal touch to it.
I really enjoyed going to the National Commanders Homecoming in Savannah, GA, WashingtonConference to discuss veterans
benefits with our state’s politicians and walk our department’s Voice of Democracy winner down the aisle for the parade of winners.
We will have had the following current sitting National Junior Vice Commander in waiting, National Junior Vice Commander, Senior
Vice Commander and National Commander as our national reps for all our Council of Administrations meetings this year. I enjoyed
going around and visiting every district and several posts throughout my year as commander and I enjoy seeing what our veterans
enjoy when they walk into a VFW post.
Most importantly, I need to thank my Chief of Staff Steven SanPedro for his guidance and leadership throughout the year, Department
Adjutant Carl Lambert for keeping me in line and on time for all the appointments and engagements that came up all year, Department
Quartermaster David Williams for keeping the department on budget and ALWAYS making sure the department comes first no matter
what, and last but not least Department Service Officers James Ware and Brandon Curtis for your selfless service to veterans every
single day ensuring they get what they need for their service connected claims.
As we look forward to the ensuing year, I would like to take this opportunity to wish the new incoming elected Officers and all
appointed Chairmen the very best. May the upcoming year be a success for all of us!

Anthony R Kimble
Commander
Department of Maine

"Veterans Serving Veterans”

OUR MISSION

"That the purpose of this Corporation shall be fraternal, patriotic, historical, charitable, and educational: to preserve and strengthen comradeship among its members; to assist worthy comrades; to perpetuate the memory and history of our dead; and to assist their surviving spouses and orphans; to maintain true allegiance to the Government of the United States of America, and fidelity to its Constitution and laws; to foster true patriotism; to maintain and extend the institutions of American freedom, and to preserve and defend the United States from all her enemies."

DONATE TODAY and help us provide dentures for Main

Maine Masonic Charitable Foundation in conjunction with HM Payson An Integrated Financial Advisor Have Joined forces for a great cause together we will match the first $20, 000 donated.

 There are Veterans in Maine who need dentures!
Donate and Help us Help Them with something they can smile about.
 

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Wreaths Across America Radio

 
 
WREATHS ACROSS AMERICA RADIO IS EVERYWHERE YOU ARE

What is Wreaths Across America Radio?

Wreaths Across America Radio is a "Voice For America’s Veterans.” Wreaths Across America Radio shares content relevant to our Gold Star Families, Blue Star Families, military veterans and their families, and Wreaths Across America’s millions of volunteers 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We do this through a variety of veteran-centric programs, and interviews with Gold Star Families, Blue Star Families, veterans, and volunteers. This content is mixed with public service programming from our partner organizations, along with patriotic and contemporary country music, to provide an entertaining and informative line-up. Wreaths Across America Radio is easy to take with you anywhere you go! We are available on the iHeart Radio app, the Audacy app, and the TuneIn app. Wreaths Across America Radio will often broadcast live from major events and provide exclusive coverage of military-centric happenings that other organizations don’t have access to. Tune in today to find out what you have been missing and learn more about how we Remember, Honor and Teach, all year round!

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The Player is right here! Just press "Play" and listen anytime!

 


Details on Boadcasts

Protect Yourself

Claim Shark

Statewide News

News & Info from your department

POW Remains Homecoming

I am the Casualty Assistance Officer for the family of Pvt. Willard D. Merrill who died in WWII as a Cabanatuan Prisoner of War in 1942. His remains were recently identified and his next of kin is scheduling to have his remains flown to Bangor, Maine on June 7th. He will be buried in Dover-Foxcroft. I will not have the flight itinerary until 10 days prior to June 7th according to the Army Casualty Office. His remains are currently in Hawaii.

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CIC Message on Claim Shark and Fraud

VFW sent a critical Action Alert seeking to stop the House of Representatives from advancing a toxic bill that would allow Claim Sharks to put veterans in debt for simply seeking to access their earned benefits

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National News

Important info from National VFW

VFW Urges Vets to Prioritize Mental Health During PTSD Awareness Month and Beyond

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - As June marks PTSD Awareness Month, the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) is renewing its commitment to destigmati...

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VFW Calls on Nation to Remember the True Meaning of Memorial Day

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - As the nation approaches Memorial Day, the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) is urging all Americans to pause and ...

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IN-COUNTRY

A satirical reflection by Author/Artist Phil Fehrenbacher

Phil enlisted in the Army in 1965 where you served for years in Vietnam.  He became a graphic designer and has worked for the state of Oregon for 26 years.  He retired in 2003 and started the Cartoon "In-Country".  The cartoons reflect his experiences during his tour of duty in South Vietnam.


There is a new cartoon everyday.

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