My fellow MOAA Maine Chapter members,
As we welcome the spring season here in Maine, I want to thank each of you for your continued dedication to our chapter and to the broader military community we serve. This is an important time of year for MOAA’s national advocacy efforts, and I’d like to highlight the key priorities now before Congress. These issues directly affect servicemembers, retirees, veterans, and their families, and your engagement truly makes a difference.
MOAA National Advocacy Priorities for 2026
1. Ending the “Wounded Veteran Tax” – The Major Richard Star Act
2. Protecting Pay During Federal Shutdowns – The Shutdown Fairness Act
3. Stopping Predatory “Claim Sharks” – The GUARD VA Benefits Act
4. Improving Access to Care at Military Treatment Facilities – The Military CARE Act
This is MY ASK TO YOU: Each of us and our families benefit greatly from the work done in prior years ADVOCATING for the earned benefits for our military, retirees, veterans and their families over the last several decades. Our strength is found in our numbers some 355,000 strong nationally. Please use your voice to advocate to our Maine congressional delegation in support of these very important MOAA Priorities – I promise it will only take you a few minutes to do this and MOAA National has made it extremely easy to accomplish this on their website. You can find this link here @ https://moaa.quorum.us/. If we all do our part, we will be paying it forward for those who follow in our footsteps in service to our great country. I thank you in advance for your time in support or these critical MOAA 2026 Advocacy Priorities! NEVER STOP SERVING!
Military & Veteran Updates for April and May
VA PACT Act Expansion: Additional groups of veterans continue to gain eligibility for toxic-exposure-related care and benefits.
DoD Quality-of-Life Initiatives: Ongoing efforts include improvements to barracks conditions, childcare access, and spouse employment programs.
National Guard & Reserve Support: States, including Maine, are reviewing legislation related to tuition assistance and mental-health resources.
Military Appreciation Month (May): A time to honor those who serve and remember those we have lost.
VA PACT Act Expansion: Additional groups of veterans continue to gain eligibility for toxic-exposure-related care and benefits.
DoD Quality-of-Life Initiatives: Ongoing efforts include improvements to barracks conditions, childcare access, and spouse employment programs.
National Guard & Reserve Support: States, including Maine, are reviewing legislation related to tuition assistance and mental-health resources.
Military Appreciation Month (May): A time to honor those who serve and remember those we have lost.
I hope to see you all very soon – until then stay well!
My best regards,
Paul Loiselle, President MOAA Maine Chapter
ROTC/JROTC Program Update
By the time you read this June newsletter, the ROTC Award Ceremonies will have taken place. As you know we support the Junior Programs with National MOAA certificates signed by our Chapter President and ROTC medals that the cadets may wear on their dress uniforms. The school cadre awards the certificates based on school criteria and presents the awards at their annual awards dinners. Additionally, our Chapter awards a handsome solid brass compass to these deserving cadets. For the top award winners for the Senior ROTC Programs, we also send MOAA certificates, medals and compasses. In addition, our Chapter provides a $750 scholarship to the top graduates for the Senior ROTC Detachments, one each for the two Army programs and one each for the two Navy programs. These awards and scholarships are made possible through the generous donations made by our own Chapter Members each year. We sincerely thank you for all your support this year and in all the previous years you have been given. Photos and a brief bio of the two Senior Army ROTC award winners follow.
2026 Senior Army ROTC Award Winners
CDT Keeara J. Dutton UMO ROTC 2026
CDT Dutton is a junior nursing student at the University of Maine in Orono and a dedicated volunteer to serving her community. Born and raised in Old Town ME, she developed a strong foundation in public service through early involvement in her local fire department as a junior firefighter while in high school. During high school, she earned her EMT certification and completed the Fire Academy following high school graduation, building practical experience in emergency response and patient care.
At UMO, CDT Dutton is actively engaged in Army ROTC, where she focuses on developing leadership, operation planning and developing others, skills essential for future service as an Army Officer. She has participated in unit cohesion and ceremonial events as a member of Color Guard, community service through 20th Maine Honor Society, and has been a member of the Ranger Challenge team.
CDT Dutton currently serves as the Student Chief of the University Volunteer Ambulance Corps (UVAC), a student- run emergency medical service (EMS) organization that responds to campus and off-campus 911 emergencies. In this role, she provides organizational leadership, oversees day to day operations and ensures conditions of operations are within Maine EMS guidelines in conjunction with the Chief of Service. Through the integration of clinical education, EMS, and military leadership training, CDT Dutton is committed to serving others, strengthening healthcare systems and leading with professionalism, resilience and purpose wherever she goes. She aspires to be a U.S. Army Nurse and continue her service to others. CDT Dutton has received multiple awards throughout ROTC and is a graduate of the U.S. ARMY Air Assault School.
CDT Walter Niehoff USM ROTC 2026
Walter Niehoff is an MS III cadet from Portland, Maine. He majors in International Studies and Geospatial Analysis at the University of Southern Maine and hopes to apply those skills as a Military Intelligence officer.
Cadet Niehoff joined ROTC for personal and professional development and has since participated in multiple field training exercises, Cadet Summer Training Basic Camp, and a variety of company-level exercises. He has held the positions of recruiting operations commander, second-in-command of the color guard, and squad leader. Outside of his commitments as a cadet, Niehoff has served in student leadership as a student senator, elections commissioner, and teaching assistant. He is an avid canoeist, collector of rare maps, and Formula One enthusiast.
From Major Mitchell: “Beyond being an exemplary cadet, he has also persevered through a significant personal tragedy this academic year, making this recognition even more impactful.”
2026 Senior Navy ROTC Award Winners
Midshipman Second Class Jaremy Morgan
Jaremy Morgan, a native of Lusby, Maryland, graduated from Patuxent High School in 2023. His educational path led him to the University of Maine. During his three years here at UMO, he has been an active part of the UMaine Club Swim Team, a tutor at the school, and the Spring 2026 MIDN Company Commanding Officer.
During the summer of 2025, Jaremy Morgan participated in a Summer Cruise aboard the USS Maine (SSBN-741). During this time, the USS Maine traveled from Pearl Harbor, Hawaii to Bangor, Washington. During this time, he completed his Job Qualification Requirements packet giving him in depth knowledge of the qualification expectations of a future naval officer. He also went to Naval Station Great Lakes as Midshipman Instructor for New Student Indoctrination for three weeks. In this role he developed newly appointed Midshipmen and indoctrinated them into the culture of the Navy and Marine Corps.
Furthermore, Jaremy Morgan will participate in his senior summer cruise aboard a fast attack submarine or aircraft carrier. Jaremy Morgan is on track to graduate with distinction in May 2027 with a Bachelor of Science in Physics, along with a minor in Political Science. Looking ahead, he plans on serving as a Submarine Officer after advancing his education through Navy Nuclear Power School and Navy Nuclear Prototype School.
Midshipman Second Class John Martin
John Martin, a native of Topsham, ME, graduated from Mount Ararat High School in 2023. His educational path led him to Maine Maritime Academy. During his three years here at MMA, he has been an active part of the MMA Men’s Lacrosse Team, and a student worker in the athletic department. During the summer of 2025, John Martin further enriched his knowledge and skills by participating in a 10-week long summer internship on a supervising team at Bath Iron Works. In the summer, he immersed himself in leadership roles while working with five different teams at the manufacturing plant within Bath Iron Works. He also led a team of other interns in a group project to help improve the organization of a neighboring plant. The project was presented to the vice presidents and president of Bath Iron Works and the improvements were instantly put into place. While completing all this he was also able to complete the required internship project with an A.
Continuing his pursuit of knowledge, John Martin will participate in his junior summer cruise, in Quantico, VA, attending Officer Candidate School. He is actively pursuing a flight contract and is pushing for exceeding requirements on the Aviation Selection Test Battery. He will graduate in May 2027 with a Bachelor of Science in Power Engineering and Technology, and take with him countless valuable lessons and skills in leadership and communication he plans to use after commissioning as a 2nd Lt in the Marine Corps.
Golf Tournament and Ball Drop Fundraiser
The Annual ROTC Scholarship Golf Tournament will be held July 22nd at Dunegrass Golf Course in Old Orchard Beach. We will be having a ball drop again, where we drop at least 300 golf balls from a fire engine bucket, and the ball closest to the hole wins $1,000. Members are encouraged to try their luck on winning the $1000 by purchasing a ball or three and also to introduce the Ball Drop experience to their friends and family. The winner need not be present. Golf balls are $20 each, or three for $50 and money can be sent to Jack Fay or Mike Delia. Hole sponsorship is $350, and team players are $150 per player. A silent auction and a 50/50 raffle are also planned. Checks should be made out to “MOAA Maine Chapter.” FMI: Jack Fay, 14 Mulberry Ln, Scarborough, ME 04074, 207.883.6447 or Mike Delia, 1 Ledgewater Drive, Kennebunk, ME 04043, 207.409.2772
MOAA Maine Outreach and Upcoming Events
Recent Outreach Events:
February 14: Am Legion Post 202 Winter Classic fundraiser for Maine Veterans in Need
April 4: VA Expo at the Augusta Armory
Upcoming Outreach Events:
June 6: VA Expo at the Boothbay Railroad Village Museum
June 17: Bowdoin College Hockey Military Appreciate hockey game
July 25: VA Expo at Sunday River
Upcoming MOAA Maine Events:
June 6: Quarterly Chapter Luncheon, Maine Military Museum 11:30. Speaker: Kristina Sabasteanski https://moaamaine.org/reservation-form/
July 22: Golf Tournament – Dunegrass Golf Club, OOB (7:30 sign in and tee assignments)
August 1: NH/Maine Chapter Lobster bake, PNSY, reservations required
Sept 12: Annual Chapter meeting: Bruno’s Restaurant, Portland. Speaker: Commissioner Randy Liberty
Dec 5: Year-end Chapter meeting – Maine Military Museum, S. Portland
Save the Dates – We hope you’ll join us for our upcoming chapter events in June, July and Aug. These gatherings are wonderful opportunities to reconnect and strengthen our chapter community.
Member Name Tag Badge Reminder
Members who do not already have a name tag may request one for free in 2026. Replacement or new name tag for a spouse/significant other will be $5.00 each. We have been able to source name tags at a reasonable cost and want to offer this benefit to our members. Send name tag requests (with payment, if required) to the chapter MOAA Treasurer, PO Box 113, Orr’s Island ME 04066; or email to broughall.stephen@gmail.com
Name tag requests should be formatted as in this example:
JOHN DOE
CDR, USN (ret)
Also specify the type of attachment: pin, magnet, or clip.
Submitted by Stephen Broughall
Welcome Aboard
The Chapter would like to extend a very warm Welcome Aboard to Maine’s Adjutant General and Commissioner of Defense, Veterans and Emergency Management, Major General Diane Dunn, USA and her husband Jim from Rome, ME.
Submitted by Rob McAleer
June Luncheon Speaker
Kristina Sabasteanski, Director and founder of the VAST (Veterans Adaptive Sports & Training) program at Pineland Farms in New Gloucester, Maine. A 1998 and 2002 U.S. Olympic biathlete, Army veteran, and former World Class Athlete Program member, she directs free, year-round adaptive recreation for veterans, focusing on community and mental well-being.
Key Details About Kristina Sabasteanski (VAST Director)
- Military Service: Served in the U.S. Army and National Guard, competing on the World Cup Circuit as part of the Army World Class Athlete Program.
- Olympian: Kristina is a retired American biathlete who competed in two Winter Olympic Games (1998 in Nagano and 2002 in Salt Lake City).
- Education: Graduated from Castleton State College in 1991. She earned a master’s degree in occupational therapy from the University of Southern Maine.
- Academic Work: Kristina has worked as a professor at the University of Southern Maine.
- VAST Founder: She founded the VAST program to support veterans through adaptive sports and outdoor recreation and serves as its director. The program helps veterans overcome injuries and depression through outdoor activities such as hiking, biking, and shooting sports.
- Adaptive Coach: Coached adaptive cross-country skiing at the Hartford Ski Spectacular for over 6 years.
Her athletic, military, and therapeutic background uniquely informs her leadership of the VAST program, combining physical activity with veteran wellness and community connection. https://moaamaine.org/reservation-form/
In Memoriam
Lee D. Humiston, founder, director, curator of the Maine Military Museum and huge supporter of our MOAA Maine Chapter by offering the museum for meetings and luncheons for many years, passed away April 17th. Our chapter awarded Lee the Ann LePage Service to Veterans Award in 2019. Lee will be sorely missed by so many who came to know him and his passion for preserving Maine Military history.