Category veterans

Mar 27 2015

What is The Summit Project?

readytogoIn a recent post, I recounted my experiences snowshoeing up Borestone Mountain carrying a memorial stone in honor of a young soldier, PFC Tyler Springmann. Some may be wondering why I did this and who organizes these hike. I’d like to post a short description of why a bunch of people would hike a mountain in the middle of winter with stones in our backpacks.

For me, its pretty simple. I’m the son of a Vietnam vet and have always had a special place in my heart for our military. I like hiking. My father was Pastor of a church in Berlin, N.H. and I have fond memories of climbing Mt. Washington with him along with my brother. My two boys have caught the hiking bug and we have been making memories together.

atsunset So when my brother-in-law told me about this group called The Summit Project, described the hike that he took with them, and shared the emotions he felt during the trek, I immediately knew this was something I wanted to do with my boys. It seemed to me a perfect marriage of a couple of passions that I have. I also thought this was a great way to help instill in my sons a healthy respect for our soldiers and a better understanding of the solemn magnitude of the price of freedom.

What is The Summit Project? The Summit Project is the culmination of a vision David Cote had to find a uniquetsp-logo-blue2 way to honor fallen warriors with more than just a token sentiment, but something that required some sort of sacrifice by the living to honor the dead. He conceived this idea while hiking with Navy Seals in the mountains of California. When the Seals reached the summit they pulled stones from their pack and piled them in small hidden area to honor any Seals that had fallen in battle that past year. For Dave Cote, who watched in admiration, this quiet ritual was the seed of a dream for The Summit Project, planted by the Navy Seals on mountain in California.andrewbaseofsummit

What if everyday civilians from Maine took the time to learn the story of a fallen soldier, carried took a stone etched with his name and rank, gave the simple sacrifice of climbing to the top of a mountain with that memorial stone, and on that mountain gave a public remembrance of that fallen warrior? Perhaps that short hike would give civilians just a little taste of what our soldiers do for us on a daily basis. There is something about being in nature surrounded by its majesty that makes one realize there are things in life much bigger than one’s self.

The Summit Project is apolitical. What that means is that it is non-partisan, non-political. Some might find this hard to believe, but the fact that it is politically neutral is one of the major reasons I find The Summit Project so appealing. I hope it stays neutral. It’s the way it should be.

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As I told Dave Cote, its nice to have a place where we can lay down the hammer and tongs and step away from the heat for a while. Don’t get me wrong! I have no intentioheadedbackdownn of abandoning my opinions and my campaigns, but there is something grand about Americans from all political stripes coming together and honoring those who give them the freedom to pick up those ideological hammer and tongs and go at it.

Maine’s First Lady Ann LePage and First Lady Michelle Obama have endorsed the Summit Project. If that isn’t bi-partisan I don’t know what is. TMCV recommends that our readers check out The Summit Project at their website. Do a hike to honor Maine’s fallen warriors or, if hiking is out of the question, check out ways that you can volunteer. Go to The Maine Summit Project’s website or like them on Facebook.peakofborestone

Feb 24 2015

Poliquin Reacts to the President’s Veto of Keystone Pipeline/Questions cuts to VA

With the news of a Presidential veto of Keystone Pipeline, Bruce Poliquin expressed his disappointment by releasing a statement from his office. “It’s a shame that the President put politics before policy by vetoing the construction of the Keystone Pipeline,” said the Congressman from Maine’s second district, noting that the project would create 40,000 new jobs and drive down the costs of heating for Mainers.  He reiterated his resolve to stay committed to fighting for job creating policies, citing the Natural Gas Pipeline Permitting Reform Act which he supports.

More For Veterans

In other developments, Poliquin has joined with other colleagues in the House of Representative in asking the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs Secretary, Robert McDonald, the reasons for cutting funds to the Veteran’s Access, Choice and Accountability Act.  This Act was intended to alleviate the wait time periods and help facilitate access for those  veterans in rural areas through Veteran’s Choice.  In the presser, Poliquin posted a list of questions sent to the Secretary along with a copy of the letter specifically asking why the President’s new budget needs to raid funds from this benefit set aside for veterans.

Feb 24 2015

Congressman Poliquin Tours Togus

Yesterday, U.S. Congressman Bruce Poliquin toured the VA facilities here in Maine at Togus.  He spent time with many of the veterans there along with interviewing staff and leadership.  Poliquin has asked for reports from the leadership detailing the status and operation of the Veterans Hospital there.  Though not stated in his presser, TMCV believes there was a twofold purpose in his visit there. First to show the respect and gratitude that so many of his constituents feel towards our veterans.  Secondly, to put the hospital on notice that they will need to give an accounting to his office on the practices and treatments, both medical and fiscal, administered by this Federally funded institution.  Of his visit, Poliquin states, ”  After my visit today, I am more committed than ever to doing everything possible to make sure our Maine heroes they earned, were promised and deserve.”   He goes on further to say that he has “spoken with the Inspector General’s office for an update on their report.  Once complete, I look forward to reviewing their findings.”