Angus King

STATEWIDE -- Maine's current governor, governor-elect, and Senator Angus King were among many Maine officials speaking out in honor of Veteran's Day.

Plenty of folks from the Blaine House to Capitol Hill are reminding those across the state of the importance of veterans day and honoring those who served.

In her weekly radio address last week, Governor Mills discussed her own family's military history and Mainers who've served throughout time: "That proud military history at the heart of my family is also shared by many other families across the state of Maine. Maine can proudly say that we are home to one of the highest number of veterans per capita of any state in the country. From the Revolutionary War, the Civil War, to World War I, World War II, Korea, Vietnam, Iraq, and Afghanistan—Maine people have always defended our nation and its ideals, and our state has always shouldered its responsibility to serve."

Mills' successor, governor-elect Hannah Pingree, says she is "committed to making sure Maine keeps its promise to those who have served. "

In a statement she said in part quote “To Maine’s veterans and their families, thank you for your service and for the sacrifices you have made for us. Your courage and commitment to something larger than yourselves have protected our freedoms and strengthened our communities, and that service doesn’t end when the uniform comes off."

Senator Angus King interviews Maine veterans and hears their stories -- Wednesday he sat down with former Army reservist Melanie Junkins of Presque Isle, Maine.

Junkins started with the army national guard...then she served in the U.S. Army Reserves and Active Guard Reserve. She resided in many places, but her service eventually brought her and her husband to Maine. They moved to Presque Isle and started a family.

King and Junkins talked about the commitment to serve and what it means.

"When you took that oath you were expressing a willingness to put your life on the line....I think a lot of Americans don't realize that everyone in the service has basically said 'yes, if called upon I'll put my life on the line," said King.

"I was trained in combat, I was trained in basic rifle marksmanship, I remember throwing a live grenade at Fort Leonard Wood. It's really foundational in being able to serve something larger than yourself," stated Junkins.

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