On Thursday, June 29th, the Maine Military Community Network (MMCN) held its 11th annual conference in Bangor, Maine. The conference brought together veterans, military service organizations, and health providers from all over the state for a day of presentations, discussions, and ceremony to focus on the needs of Maine’s military veterans and to share opportunities in the community for military service members and their families.
The University of Maine at Augusta was one of the conference’s primary sponsors, and UMA’s own Amy Line and Jeff Sychterz, both U.S. Navy veterans, helped plan and run the conference. Amy, UMA’s Director of Military & Veteran Services, is one of the founding members of the MMCN, and Jeff, Dean of UMA Bangor, leads the Greater Bangor Chapter of MMCN and chaired this year’s conference committee.
The conference successfully hosted almost 200 attendees and over 50 organizations (including UMA) that provide resources to veterans. The theme was Life After Military, and Suzanne Rancourt gave the keynote address. Ms. Rancourt, a multi-modal artist, counselor for Traumatic Brain Injury, and military veteran, discussed service-related trauma, gave advice on how to treat veterans, and explained how to grow and recover from traumatic experiences. The day also included panels on vicarious trauma in military families, mental health in the military, and expressive arts therapy. Senator Angus King also addressed conference goers and Sarah Smiley, author of the nationally famous book, Dinner with the Smileys, shared her experiences as a military spouse.
The Maine Military Community Network (MMCN) supports Maine military members, veterans, and their families in their local communities. The MMCN is a community effort to understand, prevent, and help address the challenges faced by current and former military members and their families, as well as their communities. UMA has been a longtime member of MMCN and a supporter of veterans in Maine.