"The Maine Dems should be ashamed of their mailer attacking Col. Milne for serving our country and should apologize immediately. Like many Mainers, Col. Milne left his home to protect our country overseas. Now, Democrat operatives are using it as a ridiculous ploy to discredit a great man."

"Actions like this truly show how desperate the Maine Dems have become. While Democrats continue to show no respect to our men and women in uniform, the Maine Republican Party stands united in our steadfast appreciation for all who have served."

BACKGROUND:

Households in Waldo County have recently received a negative mailer that attacks Senate candidate and retired Marine Colonel Duncan Milne for his military service. Colonel Milne is the Republican candidate for Maine Senate in District 11, which is made up of the municipalities of Waldo County.

With a photo of a moving truck and the words "Moving in, Milne?" as well as language stating that Col. Milne moved to Maine "for political gain," the mailer insults every military veteran who has left their home state to serve our country and moved home again. It insults every active duty service member who is currently living in a different state or different country because their service requires them to be there.

Like them, Colonel Milne left Maine to serve our nation. Colonel Milne grew up in Maine, and he and his family moved away because of his military service, though he maintained his Maine residency for much of that time. He served 25 years in the Marine Corps, serving on every continent except for South America and Antarctica. His personal decorations include the Legion of Merit, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Individual Action Air Medal with Combat "V", the Strike Flight Air Medal, the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with Combat "V" and Gold Star in lieu of fourth award.  Following his retirement from the military, Col. Milne has continued to serve others as President of Dixon Center for Military and Veterans Services.