Joshua Chamberlain Chapter
Maine, USA
Chapter Projects and Community Support
Hand-Carved Eagle Presentation
On
Saturday, Aug. 6, 2022, Alan Johnston, U.S. Army Veteran and Commander for the
Maine Chapter of the Military Order of the World Wars,
led the dedication of a hand-carved wood eagle to Wreaths Across America's
founder Mr. Morrill Worcester, as part of the organization's annual Stem to
Stone event in Downeast Maine.
The
eagle was carved by 90-year old Navy Veteran George Gunning and painted by his
wife of 70 years, Donna, both of Windsor, as a gift of thanks to Mr. Worcester
and all those who carry out the Wreaths Across America
mission to Remember the fallen, Honor those that serve, and Teach the next
generation the value of freedom.
Over
the last 15+ years, the Gunning's have made more than 4,000 hand-carved and
painted wooden, eagle-headed canes to donate to Maine Veterans as an extension
of the Eagle Cane Project started in Oklahoma. They do it as a labor of love
for all those who served our country. The Gunning's were moved to create this
larger Eagle sculpture after learning more about the Wreaths Across America
program and the impact it has had on veterans and their families across the
country. As part of the
dedication, Johnston presented George and Donna with a $1,000 check from the
Maine Chapter of the Military Order of the World Wars. A $1,000 donation was
also presented by Johnston to Wreaths Across America
Volunteer Location Coordinator for Togus National
Cemetery, Deborah Couture, to sponsor veterans wreaths to be placed there this
December as part of National 
Wreaths Across America Day – scheduled for Saturday, Dec.
17, 2022.
March 26, 2022
Alan
Johnston, Commander Maine Chapter-MOWW presents an MOWW JROTC Medal at the Old
Town High School Military Ball.
2022
MOWW AWARDS
OUTREACH/OUTSTANDING
SERVICE AWARDS
ON MARCH 29TH VIETNAM WELCOME HOME RECOGNITION
DAY THE MAINE CHAPTER OF MOWW HELD A LUNCHEON AT THE WHITE DUCK OWNED BY TRAVIS
MILLS TO RECOGNIZE THREE INDIVIDUALS FOR THEIR SUPPORT FOR THE VETERANS OF
MAINE.
DALE PITRE, A RECREACTION THERAPIST AT THE VA-TOGUS MAINE
HEALTHCARE SYSTEM WAS RECOGNIZED WITH THE MOWW OUTSTANDING SERVICE AWARD FOR
HIS ABOVE AND BEYOND SERVICE TO OUR VETERANS WITH DISABILITIES. HE TRAVELS TO DAVs HOMES AND TAKES THEM OUT
SHOPPING, BOWLING, AND JUST ABOUT ANYTHING THEY WANT TO DO.
RANDY JENNESS A
VIETNAM DAV HIMSELF WAS RECOGNIZED WITH THE OUTREACH SERVICE MEDAL FOR ALWAYS
PLACING THE INTERESTS OTHER VETERANS ABOVE AND BEYOND HIS OWN. RANDY IS OUR PRIMARY GO TO WITHIN A COMBAT
THERAPY GROUP AT THE VA-TOGUS MENTAL HEALTH FACILITY.
ON MARCH 30TH THE
MOWW MAINE CHAPTER SPONSORED A TABLE FOR A GROUP OF VETERANS AND RECOGNIZED
BRENT ELLIS AT THE TRAVIS MILLS BREATFAST FOR VIETNAM VETERANS.
BRENT
IS A VOLUNTEER AT THE VA-TOGUS MAINE HEALTHCARE SYSTEM WAS ALSO RECOGNIZED WITH
THE OUTSTANDING SERVICE AWARD FOR HIS RELENTLESS DEDICATIONS TO ASSISTING
VETERANS WITH DIRECTIONS IN CHECKING IN FOR THEIR APPOINTMENTS, TAKEN VETERANS
FROM THE PRIMARY CLINIC TO THE HOSPITAL AND ANYTHING ELSE THE PRIMARY CARE
STAFF ASKS OF HIM.
November 10th, 2021
Alan Johnston,
Commander Maine Chapter-MOWW presents a donation of $1,500 to Ray Michaud, Site
Coordinate for Veterans’, Inc.
Veterans’ Inc. has a
facility with the capability of housing twenty residents who can reside for up
to two years. In addition, the facility overseas various outreach programs for
homeless Veterans. and MOWW-Maine are looking forward
to working with Veterans, Inc. in the near future.
The Chapter will be
holding it is December meeting at the Veterans,’ Inc. complex and the guest
speaker will be from Veterans,’ Inc. The members will give a tour of the
facility after the meeting and have a chance to talk with Veterans.
Left-
Lucas Herring- Mayor of Barre, Vermont
Center-
CAPT Alan Johnston-Commander MOWW-Maine
Right-_Karen
Boyce, Managing Director, The Veterans’ Place
The MG Joshua Chamberlain Chapter, Region I of
Maine on November 6th, 2021 presented to The Veterans’ Place (TVP) a
donation of $2,500.00 in support of their mission to support Veterans.
The following link is the local news coverage
of the 7th annual 5K Run in Barre, Vermont supporting TVP.
https://www.facebook.com/watch/live/?ref=watch_permalink&v=280769607280104
The
Veterans’ Place provides the following assistance to eligible Veterans
Structured
Transitional Housing:
The Veterans’ Place (TVP)
operates a 26-bed transitional housing facility for veterans in need of housing
while recovering from medical, substance abuse or a place to live due to a
life-altering event.
Meals
and Other Services:
Residents have access to food
at no cost and will be provided home-cooked dinners seven days a week (weekend
dinners are prepared by the residents).
In addition, they have free
access to commercial-grade laundry facilities, as well as a wide range of activities.
Navigating Medical Needs:
Compassionate,
qualified team members are ready to assist veterans and create individualized
plans to overcome homelessness. Plans focus on access to medical and
mental health care; substance use counseling and support programs;
transportation to the VA in White River Junction; help with increasing income
through employment or disability benefits; and
support identifying and maintaining permanent housing.
Wellness Support, Guidance, and Accountability:
A structured living environment offers clearly defined rules
and expectations, with onsite staff and a robust circle of support available to
you as a resident. They have access to a fully equipped onsite fitness/wellness
center, and the opportunity to participate in yoga, meditation, and mindfulness
classes.
The
Chapter held Its Monthly meeting on October 23rd at The Maine
Military Museum, S. Portland, Maine. The meeting went from 11:30 hours and
ended at 1515 hours.
The
Chapter was opened by the Commander and the following items/issues were discussed:
1. The
Commander updated the members on the BSA/GSA recognitions over the past months.
The Chapter has recognized 19 Eagle Scouts and 3 Gold Awards this past Quarter.
2.
Members were updated on the past and current issues with our financials.
3. The
Commander had made a motion to make donations to: Veterans’, Inc (Maine Office) in the amount
of $1,500.00, a donation in the amount of $500.00 to The Maine Military Museum
and a donation to The Veterans’ Place in the amount of 2,500.00. A letter was
sent out to all Members for their input and approval of this motion. The
members approved this motion.
4. The
Commander updated the members on the recent data from HQ on current membership
goals and actuals for new members.
5. The guest speaker was LTC Greg Curtis (The
Chief of Staff for the Maine Civil Air Patrol) who presented on the
Organizational aspects of the CAP, assets, and relationship with the Air Force
and the leadership training of the Cadets. The members were impressed on the
tasks and training requirements of the CAP Program. A discussion pertaining to
the possibility of establishing a relationship between MOWW and CAP followed.
The relationship would be like that of the ROTC/JROTC Programs. The YLC Program
was also briefed to LTC Curtis, and he asked if the CAP Cadets would be
eligible. LTC Curtis was given membership applications to pass along to CAP
staff members who qualify.
6. The three
streamers the Chapter received at National were presented to the membership and
placed on the MOWW flag.
7.
Col. Barton presented to Lee Humiston Curator
of the Museum a Civil War Regimental Drum for display in the Museum. I also
presented a Donation of $500.00 to the Museum for the outstanding displays
within the Museum.
8. I
received a thank you letter from the father of one of the Eagle Scouts I sent a
letter and certificate to saying how much it was appreciated. He also enclosed
a membership application and check for a MIP. He also stated that his son is
now at West Point and once he graduates, he will send an application/pay for a
MIP for him.
LTC Curtis, CAP and
Chapter members
Lee Humiston (Curator) Bev Barton, Col. Barton
CAPT Johnston
donating to the Museum
Discussing Maine
Civil Air Patrol presentation of Civil War Drum to Museum
2021 MOWW National Convention - Maine Chapter
Awards
First Place Veterans Affairs
First Place ROTC
Second Place – Scouting
From Left to Right:
CPT-USA Alan Johnston (Commander of the Maine Joshua Chamberlain Chapter of
MOWW), Wayne Hansen (Chairman of the WAA Board of Directors) and Colonel Robert
Barton, US Army Retired,
Past Commander
The Commander and
Past Region I Commander presented to Wayne Hansen (Chairman of the Board of
Directors) of Wreaths Across America (WAA) a check in the amount of $1,500.00
during their Monthly meeting on October 17th, 2020.
The donation was
designated for the purchase of wreaths to be placed on grave markers located at
the Togus cemetery.
National Wreath Day
will be on the 19th of December 2020. This is the day WAA intends to place wreaths
at more than 2,200 sites this year.
A few years ago WAA
went to Normandy and placed 9,389 wreaths on the markers of the WWII soldiers
who died on the beaches of Normandy on June 6th, 194 and are buried
at the Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial.
The Superintendent
of the Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial is Scott Desjardins, is a Maine
native from Madawaska, and former U.S. Army Cavalry Scout and Tank Crewman.
Certificates
and Letters
Eagle
Scout Court of Honor at Fort Kent, Maine
Click
here to see the Dedication Ceremony!
Donation
Northeastern
University Veteran’s Memorial
Colonel Barton
Presentation to Morrill Worcester
Wreaths Across America
Before
After
Recognition of Wreath
Laying at Arlington
Donation to
Packages to the Troops Effort