Maine State Visit

I am thrilled to get back on the road and visit with Daughters – my first stop: Maine! My visit to our northeasternmost state in the lower 48 was absolutely lovely. I am delighted at how many amazing sites and people we saw in Maine in just a few short days! We met actor Sam Waterston at breakfast and Christopher Roosevelt, grandson of Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt at tea on Sunday! Learning more about the work of our Maine Daughters was inspiring. One of my favorite moments during the trip was visiting with Honorary State Regent, Valdine Chalmers Atwood, an almost 70 year member. Special thanks to Maine State Regent Beth Calhoun for her hospitality and my Pages Savannah Sessions and Cameryn Edgell for their wonderful assistance.

- Pamela Wright, President General

Saturday morning, Burnham Tavern, a National Historic Site that has been maintained by the Hannah Weston Chapter since 1910, provided the backdrop for an America 250 Patriots Marker Dedication. National Chair of Historic Preservation, Elizabeth Hotchkiss, and State Chair of Historic Preservation, Barbara Chesney, jointly led the ceremony. Historian General, Suzanne Heske, gave eloquent and informative remarks. The Revolutionary War Reenactors of Downeast Maine provided period music and functioned as Color Guard. The luncheon following the marker dedication was made special by Mrs. Wright’s keynote address on Celebrating DAR Service and Friendship.

The Revolutionary War History of Burnham Tavern is significant. In June 1775, Burnham Tavern bore witness to the first Naval Battle of the American Revolution in which local settlers, faced with supplying lumber to British troops or risking hunger and retaliation, defiantly captured a British Lieutenant and his ship, Margaretta, in a daring battle. Despite the Lieutenant's escape and subsequent death, the patriots secured victory, marking a pivotal moment dubbed the "Lexington of the Sea."

On Monday, we returned our guests to Bangor International Airport where they were given one last tour, this time of the Maine Troop Greeters Museum. The Maine Troop Greeters have been at the airport to welcome over 7,000 military flights and more than a million United States troops returning home from overseas deployments. The museum has a collection of over 6,000 unique challenge coins donated by troops while passing through the airport.

Maine Daughters are so thankful that Mrs. Wright was able to reschedule her visit to Maine and join us for an enjoyable weekend of DAR service and friendship.