BRUNSWICK

Leneler “Sue” Wilson is not a veteran herself, but her sister, Mary Studen, was. When Studen — who was a nurse on the front lines in World War II — died 16 years ago in New Hampshire, the coroner misplaced the body, due to an alleged faulty death certificate. The body sat in a morgue, unmarked, for two years, and was finally buried in an unmarked grave, a very improper handling of a celebrated war veteran.

The authorities never contacted Wilson, and she ended up finding out about the burial through the Boston Herald. She has been trying to get to the bottom of her sister’s mishandling ever since, but has had a hard time finding the right attorney. Until now.

Wilson was the first attendee of Pine Tree Legal Assistance’s Military Mondays program, an open forum for veterans to seek legal advice from pro bono attorneys. The program runs from 1-4 p.m. on the last Monday of each month, and takes place at Starbucks at 10 Gurnet Road in Brunswick. Attorneys from the veteran section of the Maine Bar volunteer, Pine Tree Legal brings them in, and Star- bucks hosts as the attorneys advise veterans. Starbucks even provides free coffee.

Francis Jackson, an attorney who was on hand for the inaugural Military Mondays program on Halloween and advised Wilson, thinks the first day went nicely.

“This was our first time out,” Jackson said. “What we were trying to do is provide legal advice to folks that have veteran issues. I thought it was a very nice thing for Starbucks to grant us this space, and the veteran section of the Maine Bar was happy to participate.”

Wilson said she “received the proper help to move toward justice,” but added that there was still a long way to go to get to the bottom of her sister’s improper burial.

“It just irritated me to no end to think they could take a veteran and throw them into a field like that,” said Wilson. “I wake up in the middle of the night and just fall to pieces. I’ve been working for quite a few years on this, and I finally feel like we’re getting somewhere.”

Jackson thinks that he was “able to steer her in the right direction to solve her issues.”

Wilson discovered Military Mondays through Maine Rep. Joyce “Jay” McCreight, who befriended Wilson a few years ago.

“She told me about her quest to get answers about her sister,” said McCreight. “I tried to find information through various channels without much success. When I learned by email from Pine Tree Legal of their new Military Mondays program, I asked Leneler if she was interested, and she was. This opportunity was exciting because of the veteran connection, the no cost, and the close location.”

Rob Liscord of Pine Tree Legal, who coordinated Military Mondays, said one of the main draws of the program is the laid-back atmosphere that Starbucks offers.

“It’s not a stressful environment,” said Liscord. “A place like Starbucks is a great atmosphere without the stress of fully engaging with the legal system in a place like a courtroom.”

Though there were only two attendees this time around, the people behind Military Mondays see good things for the future of the program.

“The response has been good so far,” said Liscord. “I have a feeling that’s going to continue. We want to help as many veterans as possible.”

The next Military Mondays event is scheduled for Nov. 28 from 1-4 p.m at the Brunswick Starbucks. To find out more, visit ptla.org.

bgoodridge@timesrecord.com

When & where

• PINE TREE Legal Assistance’s Military Mondays program is an open forum for veterans to seek legal advice from pro bono attorneys. The program runs from 1-4 p.m. on the last Monday of each month, and takes place at Starbucks at 10 Gurnet Road in Brunswick.