PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE: Since the Revolution, eight generations of America’s veterans have established an unbroken commitment to freedom. Today, more than 150,000 service members call the Great State of Maine home, many of whom live in Mid-coast Maine.

And even though

“our” Naval Air Station is closed, the Southern Midcoast Maine Chamber’s board of directors and Military & Community Network Committee are pleased to announce they are seeking nominations for two awards, the Joshua Chamberlain Award and the newly established Silver Eagle Award.

The Chamberlain Award was first presented in 1977 by the chamber’s Military Community Council. Named after soldier, statesman, educator and businessman Joshua L. Chamberlain, the award honors the individual “whose activities have served to build upon the close relationship and understanding existing between the military and civilian components of the greater Bath, Brunswick, and Topsham communities.” Any individual who lives or works in the chamber’s 16 communities is eligible for nomination.

In addition to the Chamberlain Award, the chamber has created the Silver Eagle Award to recognize the oldest living veteran in the SMMC communities. Nominations can be submitted on any elder veteran who has served in the Army, Marines, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard or Merchant Marines. Military service will be verified once the eldest nominee is identified.

You might be asking yourself, “Why the hype about veterans?” When you take into account that one in eight people in Maine are veterans — they come in all sizes, shapes, genders, ages, ethnic backgrounds and education levels — that pretty much equates that every extended family in Maine includes someone who has served in the armed forces, Coast Guard, National Guard, or Merchant Marines.

Steve Buyers once said, “For those who have made the ultimate sacrifice, we are grateful that such men and women were among us. For those who continue to serve, we honor their commitment. For those who return to civilian life, we honor their service.”

The awards mentioned above are presented exactly for these reasons: to remember and to honor.

Nominations will be accepted now through Sept. 27 and can be submitted online at www.midcoastmaine.com/nomination. Awardees will be honored at the chamber’s Veterans Gala at the Bath Golf Club on Nov. 13, from 5 to 7 p.m. This event will be open to the public and an R.S.V.P. is required. For further information, sponsorship opportunities, and individual tickets, email me directly at president@midcoastmaine.com or www.midcoastmaine.com or call 725-8797, ext. 4.

UPCOMING EVENTS: It’s time for you and your employees to deliver “extraordinary” customer service and you’re going to have to do it intentionally, on purpose. Come to a customer service seminar presented by Bob Labrie, of Maximum Potential. Bob has been in the training development field for the last 28 years and always provides more than you expect. Obtain a new set of customer service concepts, principles, techniques and skill-sets at this seminar on Sept. 12, 9 to 11 a.m., at Priority Business Center, 2 Main St., Topsham. “Intentionality, a Vital Component for Delivering Excellent Customer Service” is co-sponsored by Southern Midcoast Maine Chamber and Brunswick Downtown Association.

“What does your bank need from you?” is the Business Success Seminar on Wednesday, Sept. 18, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the Topsham Public Library, 25 Foreside Road. Perfect for the micro business owner who might need to go to a bank to borrow money at some point to grow their business. Learn how to make the best, most professional impression on a bank should you pursue a loan, and what information you will need to be prepared to make such a request. The seminar is free but please register and feel free to brown bag your lunch.

Enjoy live music and dancing to the 12- piece Oberlaendler Hofbrau Band, eat authentic German food, and earn guy and gal prizes for keg throwing and stein hoisting. Come to the first annual Oktoberfest — “Mid-coast Maine” style on Saturday, Sept. 21, noon to 5 p.m., at the Knights of Columbus Hall in Brunswick. Sponsored by Bar Harbor Bank & Trust, Richard’s German Restaurant and Samuel Adams. Buy tickets online at http://www.oktoberfestmaine.com/.

Please go to the chamber’s website (www.midcoastmaine.com), scrolling the calendar to register for all of these events. For some the seating is limited. Don’t miss out.

The chamber proudly serves 760 businesses and organizations in the following communities: Arrowsic, Bath, Bowdoin, Bowdoinham, Brunswick, Dresden, Edgecomb, Georgetown, Harpswell, Phippsburg, Richmond, Topsham, West Bath, Westport Island, Wiscasset and Woolwich.