Capt. Kirk is the commanding officer, Pre-Commissioning Unit ZUMWALT (DDG-1000), Bath, Maine. Since his arrival in Bath, he has embarked upon an aggressive personal public relations effort to build a close relationship with people from Mid-coast Maine communities. His objective has been to introduce the personality of Admiral Elmo Zumwalt and the guided missile destroyer ZUMWALT (DDG-1000) to all hands in the local area, thereby enhancing their knowledge of the latest cutting edge of advanced Naval technology being incorporated into the construction of the ship by Bath Iron Works.
In so doing, Capt. Kirk has provided an extraordinary influence of understanding and appreciation between the military and civilian communities throughout the Mid-coast region not seen since the closing of the Brunswick Naval Air Station in 2011.
Capt. Kirk has strongly encouraged the approximately 95 current members of the advance crew of the pre-commissioning unit in their spare time to participate in many of the activities in the neighborhoods where their families reside. The crew as a whole has assisted with honoring our veterans at the Togus VA hospital, developing future members of the sea services by engaging with the Naval Sea Cadets (sponsored by the Navy League of the United States, the Casco Bay Council of the Navy League and the U.S. Coast Guard of Portland), supporting preservation efforts at the Seguin Island Lighthouse, assisting with construction of a local home with Habitat for Humanity, volunteering to coach middle school soccer teams and engaging regularly at the Bath Food Bank.
Capt. Kirk has contributed to a broad community relationship with the Midcoast region in keeping with the highest traditions of the U.S. Navy.
In 1976, the chamber’s Military-Community Council began recognizing individuals in our area, who through their outstanding dedication and service toward the best possible military-community relationship within this area, deserved to be singled out, congratulated and remembered. That decision was made in recognition that it has been the collective effort of many individuals, over many years, which has fostered the very excellent relationship that exists today between the military and civilian communities in this area. Soldier, statesman, educator and businessman Joshua L. Chamberlain was selected as the namesake for the annual award.
UPCOMING EVENTS:
— Step right up to the Big Night Out. The Chamber’s Annual Meeting is Friday, Jan. 23, 5 to 8 p.m. “The Big Night Out” is an evening funfair complete with live music, strolling entertainment, networking and an expansive member exhibition. Awards will be prized, prizes will be awarded, and the night will be captured in photo booth style. Watch as the former Borders Bookstore (Merrymeeting Plaza, Brunswick) transforms into a night of laughter and fun with good friends, colleagues and the region’s thriving economic community. The event is catered by Simply Susie’s Catering.
The Big Night Out sponsors are Mid Coast Health Services, WS Development, Bar Harbor Bank & Trust, Burgess Computer, Bill Dodge Auto Group, Brunswick Sewer District, Cardente Real Estate, Electricity Maine, Maine Woolens, Mechanics Savings Bank, Priority Real Estate Group, RE/MAX Riverside and United Way of Mid Coast Maine.
Go to our scrolling calendar at www.midcoastmaine.com to register. Don’t miss out on the chamber’s biggest event of the year. The public is welcome.
Meet Our Newest Member: Welcome to Enterprise Electric Inc., based in Lisbon Falls and a family owned business since 1968. For more information, visit their website at www.enterpriseelectric.net.
The chamber proudly serves 700 businesses and organizations in the following communities: Arrowsic, Bath, Bowdoin, Bowdoinham, Brunswick, Dresden, Edgecomb, Georgetown, Harpswell, Phippsburg, Richmond, Topsham, West Bath, Westport Island, Wiscasset and Woolwich.
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