AUGUSTA — Rep. Sheryl Briggs, D-Mexico, recently recognized Maine women veterans at a ceremony at the State House to unveil the design for a plaque honoring Maine women in the service. She is helping to raise funds to pay for the plaque to be made and then permanently placed in the State House in November, prior to Veterans Day.

“Maine’s women veterans have served our state and our nation proudly,” said Briggs. “I am extremely pleased that there will be recognition of their contributions in a place of honor at the State House.”

There are 10,000 women veterans in Maine.

The 124th Legislature passed a resolve to arrange for a plaque to be placed in the State House Hall of Flags in a prominent position among existing plaques honoring veterans of World War I, World War II, Korea and Vietnam.

The plaque design will depict Maine women who served in different U.S. military capacities over four centuries, which includes Revolutionary War patriot Hannah Watts Weston, Civil War nurse Emily W. Dana, World War II Army Air Force Service pilot Patricia A. (Chadwick) Erickson and Maine Army National Guard soldier Sgt. Annette M. Bachman.

The plaque will be funded through private donations. Maine Veterans’ Services is hoping to raise enough money to have the plaque made and ready for dedication prior to Veterans Day in November.

Silver commemorative coins in the likeness of the plaque will be gifted to all Maine women veterans to show Maine’s appreciation for their sacrifices.

A portion of the contributions will be tax deductible. Those interested in sending donations should mail checks to: Bureau of Maine Veterans’ Service, 117 State House Station, Augusta, ME 04333-0117. Checks need to be made payable to:  Treasurer, State of Maine.

For more information, contact Rep. Linda Valentino, chair of the Fundraising Committee, at [email protected] or 205-0077.