As many of you know, I work to recognize the veterans living in our area. Thanks to my friend Peter Ogden (Maine veterans Affairs), Craig Hutchinson and the Farmington Baptist Church, we have held veterans recognition the last two Novembers. We plan to do hold this recognition again this year.

More on that at a later date.

One group of veteran’s often forgotten are the women that have served in the arm forces in defense of our country. In every war they have been there to do their duty. My own mother, Janet Bellenfant Saviello, served as a navy nurse during World War II. She was proud of her service and so was my family.

In honor of Maine’s women veterans, the 124th Legislature passed a Resolve to arrange for a plaque to be designed and permanently placed in the State House. The plaque will be placed in the Hall of Flags in a prominent position among existing plaques honoring veterans of World War I, World War II, Korea and Vietnam. I have been asked to serve as the Co-Chair of the fundraising committee to make this plaque a reality along with Rep. Linda Valentino (D-Saco).

After months of planning, a design depicting Maine women who served in different U.S. military capacities over four centuries was chosen. This included: the 18th Century, Hannah Watts Weston; Revolutionary War, a patriot; 19th Century, Emily W. Dana; Civil War, Union Army nurse; 20th Century, Patricia A. (Chadwick) Erickson; WWII Army Air Force service pilot; and 21st Century, Annette M. Bachman; War on Terrorism, Maine Army National Guard.

The plaque is being totally funded through private donations. Maine Veterans Services is hoping to raise enough money to have the plaque made and ready for dedication prior to Veteran’s Day November 2010.

To show our appreciation for your donation, we have commissioned 1,000 limited edition bronze commemorative coins in the likeness of the plaque. These coins will be given as “thank-you gifts” to the first 1,000 donors who contribute $100 or more.

For the almost 10,000 women veterans in Maine, we will be coining silver commemorative coins in the likeness of the plaque. These coins will be gifted to all Maine women veterans to show Maine’s appreciation for their sacrifices.

A $100 donation would provide the following:

· Funding for the plaque in the Hall of Flags

· Funding to help pay for the cost of gifting commemorative coins to the 10,000 women veterans

Maine Revenue Services has authorized $95 of each $100 donation as a tax deductible donation.

Locating Women Veterans

If you know of any women veterans, please send along a note stating the person’s name and address to the address below so the files can be updated. This way we will be sure to get a coin to a woman that you personally know.

Mail to: Bureau of Maine Veterans Services, 117 State House Station, Augusta, Maine 04333-0117.

If you want to make a contribution for the plaque send a check to the same address above. The check needs to be made payable to the Treasure, State of Maine.

Notation on check: Please make a note in the memo section of your check as to the reason for the donation (example: women veterans’ plaque).

If you have any questions, please call Peter Ogden or Nancy Plourde at Maine Veterans Services at 626- 4464.

If you would like to arrange for some one to speak to your group about the Women’s Veterans Plaque and the opportunity for donating to receive a limited edition commemorative coin, please contact me, Tom Saviello at 645-3420 or drtom16@hotmail.com or Rep. Linda Valentino, Co-Chair of the Fundraising Committee, at lmvalentino54@yahoo.com or 205-0077.

As always it is my pleasure to serve you. If you have question about this or anything else please contact me at the number and email above.

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.