Maine Masons Support at the Maine Veterans' Homes
Maine Masons are increasingly active in their outreach to the residents of the Maine Veterans' Homes. Masons in Aroostook County under the leadership of Dwynal Grass are faithful in preparing and serving breakfasts one Sunday morning each month to the residents of the Veterans Home in Caribou. Below is a picture of the participants at one of the recent Sunday morning breakfasts.
Dan Hill is our representative at both the Togus Veterans' Hospital and at the Augusta Veterans Home. He has a very loyal group of helpers who contribute their time on a weekly basis. They are there every Sunday morning, and they also assist in such other programs as weekly ice cream socials, pizza parties, music and day room activities. They try to visit each new patient and offer any small comfort items they might need and give them a free 125 minute calling card so that they can call family and friends at no cost. Dan has started a program called "Give a Vet a Cap". The cap is blue with the Masonic Service Association logo on the front. He encourages Masons to purchase one at cost, $6.00 for one or $10.00 for 2, and put their name inside the second one with the words thank you. Dan and his helpers distribute them to the veterans at the Togus Veterans Hospital and at the Augusta Veterans' Home. Dan's goal is to get a cap to every veteran in the State of Maine.
On Saturday, May 26th, Bro. Bentley Warren a resident of Arundel and a member of Tyrian-Acacia Lodge in Gloucester, Massachusetts, organized a group of 200 motorcyclists to visit the Veterans Home in Scarborough. Randy Burleigh organized a team to assist approximately 50 veterans out to see the motorcyclists arrive. It was impressive to see that many motorcycles, half of them with a second rider, arrive with flags flying. They all dismounted and each of them shook the hands of the veterans there, thanking them for their service to the nation. It was a great day and a great event.
On Sunday, June 17th, the Grand Master and several Grand Lodge officers visited the Veterans Home in Machias to meet with and enjoy breakfast with the residents there. The Grand Master has indicated his intention to visit each of the Veterans Homes to underline his support for the efforts many Maine Masons are making to this visitation program.
The Masonic Service Association recently confirmed the appointment of Al Davis and Sonny Crocker as MSA representatives at the Bangor Veterans Home. In just a few short months, these two Brothers have organized a weekly visitation to the Bangor Veterans Home with a different Lodge taking the lead each week. We congratulate Al and Sonny on their appointment, and we congratulate the Lodges in the Bangor area for participating in this outreach to our veterans.