Lee Humiston, founder of the Maine Military Museum and Learning Center, has made it his lifelong mission to preserve the memories – and artifacts – of those who served in the U.S. military.

The program gives dogs a mission, and veterans get a friend to help replace the soldiers he or she served with.

Joy Asuncion of Belfast has made it her 'passion' to make Maine the first state to register every one of its female veterans.

Sens. Brownie Carson and Brad Farrin served in different wars and belong to different parties, but both have been behind bills to help their fellow veterans.

'We, and I think a lot of veterans who get into agriculture, view (it) as just another mission,' says former intelligence officer Anne Devin.

For Lester Evans of Cumberland, volunteering to help others has become a way of life. 'I like being in the trenches. I help.'

Joshua Broder, who now runs Tilson Technology Management in Portland, says the work ethic, team thinking and the leadership training soldiers receive translate well to civilian jobs.

The Biddeford-based nonprofit pairs veterans for home visits with other vets who may have outlived friends and family.

Vietnam vet Tim Byrne says wartime experiences color the discussions in a book club he belongs to with other former service members.

James Orr, a former sergeant, helps veterans who have had trouble adjusting to life after the military through Veteran Mentors of Maine.