News
Go Red for Women: American Heart Month
Thursday, February 1, 2024 | Category: Health Care - ME
February is the national campaign month to raise awareness about women's heart health. Heart disease is the leading cause of death for women with and without military service. Please go to link for more information.
ALS in the Military: Unexpected Consequences of Military Service (ALS Awareness Month of May)
Friday, May 5, 2023 | Category: Health Care - ME
On April 11, 2019, the ALS Association released a report, “ALS in the Military: Unexpected Consequences of Military Service,” including reviews of numerous studies, reports, and other evidence demonstrating the link between ALS and military service. In summary:
‘Existing evidence supports the conclusion that people who have served in the military are at a greater risk of developing ALS and dying from the disease than those with no history of military service. As outlined in this paper, study after study continues to demonstrate this to be true: If you serve in the military, regardless of the branch of service, regardless of whether you served in the Persian Gulf War, Vietnam, Korea, or World War II, and regardless of whether you served during a time of peace or a time of war, you are at a greater risk of dying from ALS than if you had not served in the military. The questions we are asking today are these: Why is there a greater risk of ALS with military service? And what are we, as a nation, going to do about it?
It is the goal of The ALS Association that this paper raise awareness of the important work that so far has been done on the relationship between ALS and military service. In this effort, we hope to impress upon the Congress, the Administration and the American public the seriousness of this issue and the need to act now.’
In 2008, the VA implemented regulations to establish a “presumption of service connection” for ALS. Under the regulation, the VA presumes that ALS in military veterans was incurred or aggravated by a veteran’s service in the military. Veterans diagnosed with ALS are rated 100% disabled by the VA through an expedited claims process, understanding the fast progression of the disease and the need for medical equipment and services. The disabled veteran and their survivors are eligible for “service connected” benefits.
The month of May is “ALS Awareness Month,” providing an opportunity to better understand what is known about the disease and how to help afflicted veterans and others as well as their families. A reputable starting point is the ALS Association (http://www.alsa.org/search/search.jsp?query=ALS+Military&Image2.x=0&Image2.y=0).
The Maine Care Services Coordinator for the ALS Northern New England Chapter is:
Laurie McFarren
Maine Office: 207-494-8000
E-mail: lmcfarren@alsanne.org
NNE Chapter office 603-226-8855 | fax 603-226-8890
The first-ever Maine ALS Multi-disciplinary Clinic opened in December 2017. It is located in Brunswick, Maine and coordinated by neurologist Dr. John A. Taylor’s office. Ask for the ALS Clinic Coordinator at:
Phone: 207-373-6099
Web Site: https://www.midcoasthealth.com/mcmg/specialty-care/neurology/
ALS Awareness Month of May: Military/Veterans at Greater Risk of Developing ALS
Friday, May 5, 2023 | Category: Health Care - ME
The ALS Association’s Defense Health Research Programs office reported:
‘The ALS Association has developed a report, “ALS in the Military: Unexpected Consequences of Military Service,” that details the numerous studies that have been conducted which have found that:
Military veterans, regardless of the branch of service, regardless of the era in which they served, and regardless of whether they served during a time of peace or a time of war, are at a greater risk of dying from ALS than if they had not served in the military. The full report is available on The ALS Association’s website, www.alsa.org/Military and includes reviews of numerous studies, reports, and other evidence demonstrating the link between ALS and military service.’
National Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month of April
Saturday, April 1, 2023 | Category: Sexual Harassment/Assault/Trauma - ME
The month of April is “National Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month.” Sexual assault and harassment remain systemically prevalent in many institutions, including the United States military. Long-term prevention measures are needed to effect socio-cultural attitudinal change as well as ensure safe work environments where employees can report incidences without fear of reprisal and/or retaliation.
This link includes extensive “Military Sexual Assault” and “Military Sexual Trauma’” references.
This ongoing campaign intends to raise public awareness about sexual violence in our nation and its prevalence within federal, state, public and private institutions and businesses and societal subcultures.
Women’s History Month March 2023
Wednesday, March 1, 2023 | Category: History/Heritage - ME
Every year in March, women’s continuing national and international contributions are studied, recognized and celebrated around the globe.
Report to Governor Recommends Maine National Guard Sex Assault Responses
Saturday, December 31, 2022 | Category: Sexual Harassment/Assault/Trauma - ME
Governor Janet Mills established the Advisory Council on Military Sexual Trauma as one of several responses to a Bangor Daily News series that exposed a culture on the Army side that is permissive of sexual abuse, retaliates against soldiers who come forward and drives women out of the service. Major Gen. Douglas Farnham of the Maine Guard had requested outside assistance in March 2022.
The BDN’s three-part series, “Unguarded,” tells the stories of soldiers sexually assaulted and harassed within the ranks of the Maine Army National Guard while lax enforcement of policies, little oversight, and retaliation against those who complained continued for more than a decade. See this link for related articles: https://www.bangordailynews.com/unguarded/
Panel to help Maine National Guard improve assault response
Saturday, December 31, 2022 | Category: Sexual Harassment/Assault/Trauma - ME
News Center Maine, March 22, 2022:
‘ Gov. Janet Mills on Thursday established a permanent advisory council to improve the Maine National Guard’s responses to sexual assault and harassment and to ensure assault survivors are connected to available resources.
The 10-member council is charged with making recommendations by Dec. 1 about how the Maine National Guard can improve its handling of assault and harassment within its ranks, with an emphasis on coordination with law enforcement authorities.’
Top military official seeks outside probe of Maine National Guard’s handling of sexual assault cases (March 2022)
Thursday, December 29, 2022 | Category: Sexual Harassment/Assault/Trauma - ME
On March 24, 2022, Callie Ferguson reported: ‘ Maine’s top military official has asked for an outside investigation of how the Maine National Guard handles sexual assault cases, Gov. Janet Mills said Thursday. She also noted: ‘ Also on Thursday, Mills, who oversees the guard as governor, signed an executive order establishing a permanent advisory council to recommend ways the guard can improve its handling of sexual assault and harassment, especially in collaboration with local law enforcement. Its first report is due to the governor on Dec. 1.’. See article and associated links for further information.
Wreaths Across America
Monday, November 28, 2022 | Category: History/Heritage - ME
Website Description:
‘Each December on National Wreaths Across America Day, our mission to Remember, Honor and Teach is carried out by coordinating wreath-laying ceremonies at Arlington National Cemetery, as well as at more than 2,500 additional locations in all 50 U.S. states, at sea and abroad.’
The laying of wreaths occurs the third Saturday in December annually.
Veterans Day
Friday, November 11, 2022 | Category: History/Heritage - ME
A brief history of Veterans Day is posted on the Department of Veterans Affairs website.