Bath Iron Works

Maine's contributions to our national security were on full display last week. At the beginning of the week, the new Chief of Naval Operations, Gary Roughead, came to Maine to visit the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, Bath Iron Works, and the Brunswick Naval Air Station. I first became acquainted with Admiral Roughead some years ago when he was the head of the Navy's Senate Liaison Office, and I was delighted when he was named CNO.

Last Monday, I participated in the promotion ceremony of a military fellow, Pam Powers, who is serving in my office this year. Pam was promoted from Major to Lt. Colonel in the Air Force Reserves, and I had the wonderful privilege of speaking at her ceremony and pinning the new insignia on her uniform. Pam's entire family attended: her husband, three children, parents, and in-laws. As I looked at their beaming faces, I thought of how lucky we are that families like Pam's are willing to make the sacrifices necessary so that their loved ones can serve in the military.