CARIBOU, Maine — The Aroostook Veterans Advocacy Committee will host a meeting in the Chan Center at Cary Medical Center on Saturday, November 16 from 10 a.m. to noon. The meeting will present a seminar on end of life issues as well as provide updates on the Caribou Maine Veterans Home and other VA benefit issues. Vaughn Hardacker, chair of the AVAC, said that the group has not met in some time but that there are important issues that veterans and families need to be informed about.
“The AVAC meets from time to time when changes in benefits, or other important updates would be helpful to Veterans and their families,” said Hardacker. “We try to connect with all local veterans organizations and invite their members to our meetings and hope they will share the information they learn with comrades.”
Jim Gehring, chief service officer with the Aroostook Veterans Alliance, will present the end of life seminar. Gerhing said the seminar will provide important information to veterans and spouses.
“It is so important that veterans complete a number of activities so that when the time comes those VA benefits they have earned that can go to survivors can happen expeditiously,” said Gehring who has been doing a number of veterans education programs. “It is very important that spouses attend the seminar so they have the same information. The seminars are much more productive when spouses attend. We hope that a number of local Veterans and spouses will attend the meeting on November 16 to learn about these issues and other important updates.”
Thomas Enerva, Rating Veterans Service representative with the VA, will also be in attendance to answer questions and to provide additional benefit updates. He will give an update on the PACT Act and will have information to distribute.
Senate President Sen. Troy Jackson, D-Allagash will also attend the meeting and provide the latest status of the Caribou Maine Veterans Home as well as updates on the Gauge Town issue with the National Guard.
Veterans and families are welcome to attend the meeting on November 16. An opportunity will be available to hear from veterans with questions or concerns related to VA benefits or other issues.
