Loveless served in the U.S. Navy for 27 years, including during the Vietnam War, but has spent even more time in retirement helping other veterans navigate benefits and services.

`You're always welcome there,' said a resident of the development, which provides permanent housing for homeless veterans. `Veterans stick together.'

Chris Duffy has coached youth football for almost a decade, and credits his time in the service with teaching him a lot about patience and discipline.

Jessica Johnson says 9/11 drew her to serve – and her time in the Army only made that call to service stronger.

Bill Benson, who served in the U.S. Army for 24 years, now runs a Portland nonprofit that helps service members returning from active duty.

Erica Fredrick-Rock still wishes there had been a way then to combine motherhood and the U.S. Air Force.

An oral history will preserve the memories of 9 Maine veterans for posterity.

Jacob Rideout, now a firefighter in Scarborough, says he often draws on the skills he learned in the U.S. Navy and applies them in civilian life.