AUGUSTA, Maine — The state’s top political leaders including Maine’s Republican governor and Democratic speaker of the house took pause Tuesday to honor the state’s more than 140,000 military veterans.
House Speaker Mark Eves, D-North Berwick, pointed to recent law changes that are aimed at making veterans’ lives better in Maine.
Gov. Paul LePage Tuesday spent the morning visiting veterans at the Maine Veterans Home in Augusta with his wife, Ann LePage.
LePage delivered remarks to the veterans during a ceremony including music and speeches at about 10 a.m.
“Paul and I are humbled and honored to have the chance to thank these veterans,” Ann LePage said in a prepared statement Monday.
Eves Tuesday pointed to a handful of new laws passed by the Legislature over the last two years including funding for a new special treatment court system that’s been set up for veterans in Augusta.
“Today we take special pause to honor our veterans and their families for their service and sacrifice,” Eves said in a prepared statement issued Tuesday.
While neither Eves or Gov. LePage are veterans themselves, Eves’ 91-year-old father served as a pastor in the military. Both LePages have highlighted Maine’s veterans and have frequently participated in events to support them.
“Our veterans keep our communities and our country safe abroad, and we must commit to care for them and their families when they return home,” Eves said.
The laws changes he made note of included:
— A change allowing veterans in-state tuition rates at Maine’s public universities and community colleges.
— A change that ensures Iraq and Afghanistan veterans can access a modest property tax exemption already granted to veterans of earlier wars.
— A change allowing private employers to adopt a veterans preference in their hiring practices.
— A joint legislative resolution urging the federal government to compensate Maine National Guard veterans for Agent Orange exposure from training at the military base at Gagetown, New Brunswick.