AUGUSTA (AP) – The economic consequences have been at the focus of the proposed military base closings in Maine, but veterans say closing the facilities would also put a burden on them.

Veterans attending the American Legion state convention said closing or realigning the bases will cut off or cut back access to commissaries and health care facilites. Nearly 400 American Legion members, along with the state’s political delegation, were on hand at Saturday’s convention.

Dave Sanborn, a Vietnam era veteran from Rumford, said besides relying on the bases for medical needs, many retired military personnel also work there.

“It will have an enormous impact if any of these three bases close,” Sanborn said.

The Pentagon has recommended that the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in Kittery and the Defense Finance and Accounting Service in Limestone be closed, and that the Brunswick Naval Air Station be realigned and all its planes moved to Florida.

The proposals, if accepted as part of the nationwide military reorganization, would result in thousands of direct and indirect job losses in Maine, New Hampshire and Massachusetts.

U.S. Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, said at the convention that many retired military personnel work at the bases.

Many also make use of the commissary privileges and health care facilities in Kittery and Brunswick. “For them it means the hardship of traveling to a further destination,” she said.

She said veterans are also concerned about the nation’s military readiness if the facilities are shut down.

“These veterans care deeply about our national defense, and the ones I’ve talked to are very concerned about what will happen if these bases close,” she said.

Gov. John Baldacci said the show of support that veterans have exhibited for the bases sends a strong message to the Base Realignment and Closure Commission, which is reviewing the Pentagon’s proposals and will pass on its recommendations to the president.

In an interview before his convention speech, Baldacci said documents made available Friday by the federal government “put cracks in the Pentagon’s case.”

“I think our backs are up against a wall,” Baldacci said. “We’re taking on the Department of Defense, but I think we’ve got a strong case.”

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Information from: Bangor Daily News, http://www.bangornews.com