FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 3, 2014
CONTACT: Matt Dunlap (207) 626-8400

Secretary of State Matt Dunlap Promotes Vote in Honor of a Veteran Online

AUGUSTA, MaineThe Department of the Secretary of States Vote in Honor of a Veteran program, first initiated by the late Dan A. Gwadosky, 46th Secretary of State, is once again being promoted as a way for voters to remember the sacrifices of so many brave soldiers, sailors and airmen so that all Americans can exercise the right to vote.

Were proud to continue this tradition, said current Maine Secretary of State Matt Dunlap. Throughout Maines history, our friends, neighbors and family members have willingly put themselves in harms way to protect our freedom. The cornerstone of freedom is self-governance; this program lets voters show their gratitude for a veterans patriotism and sacrifice with a declaration to vote in that veterans honor.

When first initiated, the Vote in Honor of a Veteran program received such an overwhelming response that Secretary Gwadosky authorized the compilation of the stories of our veterans in the book Maine Remembers Those Who Served, now available online at http://www.maine.gov/sos/cec/elec/voter-info/veteran/index.html.

A signature part of the Vote in Honor of a Veteran program includes a free button that citizens can order from the Office of the Secretary of State that can be personalized with the name of the veteran they wish to honor. Maine voters can order a button on the Secretary of States website at http://www.maine.gov/sos/cec/elec/voter-info/veteran/index.html or they can call (207) 626-8400 for more information.

This year, Secretary of State Matt Dunlap will be honoring a veteran every day on the Departments Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/MaineSOSref=hl. Secretary Dunlap is taking the opportunity to note that absentee ballots are available as of October 4th and he will recognize the start of absentee voting by honoring a different veteran for each of the thirty days prior to the November 4th general election. I was thinking about this process, and I personally know so many brave people who have done so much for me, my family and the entire country. I thought Why stop at one I also know that we all know plenty of magnificent stories of courage from every conflict. I encourage our citizens to participate in honoring our veteransboth in remembering their heroism, and in voting.