Lincoln & Sagadahoc

Senator Collins visited with workers at Bath Iron Works' South Gate this morning at 6am. It was a great morning, and the show of support from the BIW shipbuilders was really amazing. She got to speak with so many BIW employees, and we kept hearing the same thing over and over: the shipbuilders at BIW support Susan Collins because they know she's been fighting for them in Washington.

Senator Collins and her supporters stopped by the Damariscotta Pumpkin Fest and Regatta on Monday to take part in the fun. It was a great stop on the bus tour and despite the light rain crowds were gathered from all over Maine to watch the races.

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.