Senator Collins Joins Maine’s Largest 4th of July Celebration in Eastport
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Eastport, ME — Today, U.S. Senator Susan Collins took part in Maine’s largest Independence Day celebration in Eastport. The festivities drew thousands of Mainers and included dozens of scheduled events, including a blueberry pancake breakfast, a parade, public tours of the U.S.S. Dunham, live entertainment, games, an antique car show, and a fireworks show.
“It was wonderful to see thousands of Mainers come out to celebrate the anniversary of our nation’s founding and to give thanks to the brave men and women who have made countless sacrifices to defend our freedom,” said Senator Collins. “As the largest 4th of July festival in Maine, Eastport’s parade is a patriotic and heartwarming tradition, and I was honored to participate once again this year.”
This morning, Senator Collins and her husband, Tom Daffron, attended the Annual Blueberry Pancake Breakfast at Eastport Municipal Airport along with hundreds of Mainers. Blueberries are the largest agricultural export from Washington County.
Following the breakfast, Senator Collins went to welcome the Commander and crew of the USS Dunham to Eastport and to thank them for making the trip. Earlier this year, the City of Eastport asked Senator Collins to request a ship to visit Eastport over the Fourth, and the Navy agreed to send the USS Stout. On Friday, less than a week before the Fourth of July celebration, the Navy was forced to cancel the USS Stout’s visit for operational reasons. Senator Collins immediately contacted Navy Secretary Richard V. Spencer directly to see if it was feasible for the Navy to send another ship as a replacement, and he arranged to send the USS Dunham, which arrived in Eastport on July 3rd. The Arleigh Burke-class destroyer, which was built by Bath Iron Works and commissioned in 2010, is named after U.S. Marine Corps Corporal Jason Dunham, who was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his valiant actions during the Iraq war.
This afternoon, Senator Collins marched in Eastport’s Grand Independence Day Parade and handed out American flag stickers to children. The theme of this year’s parade was "Old Home Week - Where Fun Things Happen.”
Senator Collins has joined Eastport’s 4th of July celebration 16 times during her Senate service. She last participated in the parade in 2017.
