On Saturday, Nov. 7, 2009 there will be special recognition for our Maine State Veterans at the Farmington Baptist Church. Registration will begin at 2:30 p.m. and the recognition ceremony will start at 4 p.m. that day. This will be part of the Maine State “Honoring a Veteran” program and the continued recognition of our local veteran heroes. General Libby has agreed to come and make this recognition a memorable night for our vets.

The State of Maine has established the “Honoring a Veteran” recognition program to honor our veterans for their honorable military service. The program honors those that have made the ultimate sacrifice by giving their lives in defense of freedom, those Former POWs as well as those who are still POWs and/or missing, those who were wounded in action and received the Purple Heart, and all of our veterans who honorably served our great nation and state.

Below is a list of the various State of Maine recognitions that are available.

Gold Star Honorable Service Medal and certificate: Presented to families of those service members who have given their lives in support of combat operations in defense of the country since Dec. 7, 1941.

Silver Star Honorable Service Medal and certificate: Presented to veterans or families of veterans who were former POWs as well as to those living veterans who were wounded in combat and received a Purple Heart.

Bronze Star Honorable Service Medal and certificate: Presented to the families of those service members that lost their lives in the line of duty and not in support of combat operations since Sept. 11, 2001.

Honorable Service Certificate: These certificates are presented to veterans who served honorably during wartime (WW II, Korea, Vietnam, Persian Gulf) or the Cold War or a general service certificate peace time service.

On Nov. 7, we want to recognize all of those veterans and families who are eligible for these recognitions that we missed last year. To do this we need your help and need it quickly. We need the names and paperwork for these individuals. Please contact me at 645-3420 or via e-mail at drtom16@hotmail.com so I can give you the specifics.

Additionally we want to continue to welcome those veterans we did recognize last year and say thank you again for your service. So even though you received the State “Honoring a Veteran” certificate we still want to present you with a special thanks for your service to our country. As stated above please contact me at 645-3420 or e-mail me at drtom16@hotmail.com if you would like to participate.

This was a memorable night last year. This year promises to be the same. If you have questions about either veteran recognition or anything else please call me at 645-3420 or e-mail me at drtom16@hotmail.com

Tom Saviello of Wilton represents House District 90: the towns of Avon, New Vineyard, Phillips, Strong, Temple and Wilton, plus the unorganized territories of East Central Franklin and Perkins and Washington townships.