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Welcome to VFW Post 2197
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
May 29, 2024
Maine Veterans’ Dental Network Launches Online Application
AUGUSTA, Maine – Effective immediately, the Maine Veterans’ Dental Network (MVDN) has launched their new online application to apply for the program. This new online application is the Maine Bureau of Veterans’ Services latest effort to streamline and deliver a more efficient experience for Maine veterans. The new MVDN online application, along with all the Bureau’s online applications can be found at https://www.maine.gov/veterans/program-webforms/index.html and will also be utilized to re-apply for the program in the new year.
Launched in 2021 by the Maine Bureau of Veterans’ Services and sponsored by the generosity of Northeast Delta Dental and the Maine Masonic Charitable Foundation, the MVDN serves as an oral health safety net for Maine’s veterans who cannot afford to pay out of pocket and do not have dental insurance. Many veterans who have utilized the program have shared that it was their first time accessing oral health care since separating from the military.
The program is administered in partnership with 23 participating non-profit dental clinics, Federally Qualified Health Centers, and Maine’s dental teaching schools. Services are offered on a first-come,
first-serve basis until grant funding is exhausted.
Veterans applying for the program must submit their DD Form 214 (Honorable or General Under Honorable conditions) and proof of residency. Proof of residency can be established with a State of Maine Driver’s License or Maine I.D. Card. If you need assistance completing your application or accessing your DD Form 214, please contact the Maine Bureau of Veterans’ Services at one of our eight field offices and please bring the requested documentation to your appointment.
The Bureau’s eight field offices can be contacted as follows:
Augusta Field Office – 207-287-9933 or mainebvs@maine.gov
Bangor Field Office – 207-941-3005 or bangor.mainebvs@maine.gov
Caribou Field Office – 207-492-1173 or caribou.mainebvs@maine.gov
Lewiston Field Office – 207-753-9106 or lewiston.mainebvs@maine.gov
Machias Field Office – 207-255-3306 or machias.mainebvs@maine.gov
Portland Field Office – 207-822-2391 or portland.mainebvs@maine.gov
Springvale Field Office – 207-324-1839 or springvale.mainebvs@maine.gov
Togus Field Office – 207-287-7019 or hvc.mainebvs@maine.gov
If you have questions about the MVDN program, contact the Bureau at 207-287-6836 or email mvdn.maine.bvs@maine.gov
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 24, 2024
MEDIA CONTACT
Annie Clark (Collins) | 202-224-2523
Matthew Felling (King) | 202-257-7345
Gabrielle Mannino (Pingree) | 207-509-5904
Mario Moretto (Golden) | (202) 748-0282
Maine Congressional Delegation Accepting Military Academy Nomination Applications
The delegation will has begun accepting applications
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King, Jr., and U.S. Congresswoman Chellie Pingree and Congressman Jared Golden announced that they will begin accepting nomination applications from Maine high school students for appointments to the United States service academies operated by the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Merchant Marine. No nomination is required to apply to the United States Coast Guard Academy.
Students should apply for a nomination in the spring and summer of their junior year. Senators Collins and King and Congresswoman Pingree and Congressman Golden will begin accepting nomination applications as of May 15, 2024, from students for admission to the academies in the summer of 2025.
For more information please contact:
Senator Susan Collins
Contact: Karen Staples
207-784-6969
Senator Angus King, Jr.
Contact: Katie Fellows
207-352-5216
Congresswoman Chellie Pingree
Contact: Dorian Cole
207-774-5019
Congressman Jared Golden
Contact: Kim Rohn
207-249-7400
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VFW Expresses Concern Over Erroneous VA ‘Bonuses’
VA senior executives awarded monies instead of field staff it was earmarked for
WASHINGTON (May 10, 2024) — In light of the recent Department of Veterans Affairs Office of the Inspector General report of funding improperly paid to senior executives last year, the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) is expressing its concerns over the payments.
“We are very disappointed by the lack of oversight involved here,” said Mike Figlioli, VFW Director of National Veterans Service. “Knowing that this funding was intended to retain those in the department with critical skills to take care of veterans or provide them with their much-needed benefits, it is concerning such funding would be paid as an incentive, even if it was just a handful of individuals. That is unacceptable to the VFW and those of us who have advocated so diligently on their behalf.”
In the report, OIG found that senior executive staff assigned to the VA Central Office were awarded these monies instead of the field staff it was earmarked for. These “bonuses,” were part of the funding for a retention program used to retain critical talent. The program, which is submitted in a list yearly to Congress, has been used in fields of critical skills shortages, such as nurses, phlebotomists, police, and sanitation and food service workers to name a few.
“This is poor stewardship of the funding the VFW has fought hard for,” said Figlioli. “While we are disappointed such action occurred, we are heartened that once Secretary McDonough discovered the issue, he stopped payments and requested the IG to investigate. With that in mind, we expect the secretary to follow through on his commitment to make this right.
“Our veterans deserve nothing but the utmost care and service from VA as well as accountability at every level.” said Figlioli.
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About the VFW: The Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U.S. is the nation’s largest and oldest major war veterans organization. Founded in 1899, the congressionally chartered VFW is comprised entirely of eligible veterans and military service members from the active, Guard and Reserve forces. With more than 1.4 million VFW and Auxiliary members located in nearly 6,000 Posts worldwide, the nonprofit veterans service organization is proud to proclaim “NO ONE DOES MORE FOR VETERANS” than the VFW, which is dedicated to veterans’ service, legislative advocacy, and military and community service programs. For more information, or to join, visit our website at vfw.org.
New VA Maine Newsletter – January Stakeholder Newsletter – Togus Regional Benefits Office (RBO) Stakeholder Newsletter. If you have any questions, concerns or ideas for future newsletter topics please let us know by emailing us at VBATOGROEngage@va.gov. VBATOGROEngage@va.gov.
New *** Angus Kings News page
VA Maine News and Announcements, Upcoming Events:
VA Maine health care News releases
VFW Post 2197 April News Letter
Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 2197 in Topsham Maine. Post 2197 is dedicated to serving fellow veterans in need, as well as worthy activities in the general Brunswick/Topsham area. We hold meetings at the Topsham American Legion
Our page is intended to inform people about who we are, and what we do. Members of the VFW are military personnel who have served their country in hostile areas of the world. Our dedication to our country and our fellow veterans continues through our membership in the VFW. This page will show what we do in the local area to help our community and fellow veterans. We will also share information from the state & national levels of the VFW, as well as occasionally what is happening at other veterans service organizations in the area.
