Governor LePage and First Lady Ann LePage are passionate about serving our veterans’ and recognizing the sacrifices they have made to serve our country. Throughout her tenure as First Lady, Ann was an avid advocate for military service members, their families and our beloved veterans. Raising awareness for these individuals was her top priority.
Ann supported numerous veteran organizations, including her participation in the Wreaths Across America’s Annual Convoy to Arlington National Cemetery to honor our fallen heroes. Ann traveled with other volunteers in tractor-trailer trucks loaded with wreaths and in 2013 and 2014 on the back of a motorcycle to raise awareness of their mission.
Ann also worked closely with Retired Army Staff Sergeant Travis Mills and the Travis Mills Foundation. Both Travis and Ann actually jumped from an airplane with a parachute team to raise money for a veterans’ center and museum in Fort Kent.
- Under the Mills’ Administration’s tenure, the Maine Veterans’ Homes (MVH) system designated the Machias and Caribou Maine Veterans’ Homes for closure. This news was devastating to the Washington and Aroostook County veterans’ and their loved ones who depended on these facilities for critical long-term care. Following Governor LePage’s call on the Mills’ Administration to stop dragging their feet and save these Veterans’ homes, her Administration relented. As Maine’s Governor, I pledge to always protect our most vulnerable populations and honor our servicemen and women.
During his previous tenure as Governor, Paul LePage:
- Exempted Military Retiree Pension Income from the state income tax.
- Advocated for military recruiters to have equal access at Maine high schools to meet with students interested in serving their country.
- Signed legislation to ensure veterans and military spouses seeking employment in professions that require Maine licensing were provided credit toward licensing requirements from military training, education and experience.