BANGOR — American Legion District 5, Oxford County, was well represented by delegates from its constituent posts at the Department of Maine 99th annual convention at the Spectacular Event Center held June 16 to 18.

Leading the delegation was District 5 Commander Randall Canwell of Post 24, Rumford. Accompanying him were Department of Maine Sergeant-at-Arms Tricia Thurston, who was elected and installed as department chaplain, and her husband, Area 2 Commander Kirk Thurston, both of Post 24.

Also attending were District 1st Vice President James Lowell, Post 58, Buckfield;, District 2nd Vice President Harold Wilbur, Post 151, West Paris; District Adjutant Harry G. Orcutt, Post 68, Locke Mills; Commander Robert McCartney, Post 81, Bethel; Commander Frank Burgess and Finance Officer Oscar Hebert, Post 100, Dixfield; Adjutant Gloria Hall and member Barbara Finkbeiner, Post 58; and member Silas Parlin, Post 82, Norway.

Among the highlights of the convention was the election and installation of 2017-18 department officers, headed by Department Commander Randall G. Kluj, Post 41, Milo.

The assembly learned that help is immediately available for veterans who are considering suicide through the American Legion Department of Maine’s Service Office at 207-623-5726 or the service officer of any American Legion Post.

The American Legion invites any veteran who is eligible because he or she served in a recognized conflict of the past or present century to find comradeship and support with fellow veterans of the Legion.