BRUNSWICK

Dennis Barrett has seen it all, both in the Navy and during his civil service career that followed.

The native of Springfield, Ill., who spent several years assigned to Brunswick Naval Air Station, both as a sailor and a civilian, also saw plenty on high school football fields throughout Maine.

It was his time on the gridiron that led “Denny” to receive the State of Maine Chapter’s Football Official Recognition Award recently.

“I was really surprised when they called me and told me they were recognizing me for my accomplishments,” said Barrett, who resides in Brunswick. “I felt very honored to be a representative of the Augusta Chapter of the Maine Association of Football Officials. It is a real honor that these guys honored me.”

Barrett served his country for 20 years, spending his entire career at the BNAS.

“I was told that I was assigned to (air squadron) VP-26. Had no idea what it was,” remembered Barrett. “When I got here and saw those big P2s I was amazed. I got into the squadron and loved the area. I spent my entire career in Brunswick.”

Barrett enjoyed being stationed in one place for 20 years.

“It was easier to raise a family,” said Barrett, who transitioned as an air crewman when the P3s were introduced to bases in Brunswick and Jacksonville, Fla. “I liked it mostly because of what I was doing and I liked the area. I was comfortable in it. When you get orders to someplace else, you don’t know what you will be facing. I got into the flying part of my career and something that I thoroughly enjoyed.

After retiring as a chief petty officer, Barrett moved into the civil service, serving in the base’s supply department before transitioning as the supervisor of the fuel farm, retiring in 2011.

During his enlisted time, Barrett began to officiate football games.

“When I was a young boy, I really enjoyed watching the referees work games,” said Barrett. “Ron Gibbs, who was an NFL official at the time, inspired me. When my father died when I was 9- years old, for four years I played football. When I came up here, I started doing base football games, basketball games, and that led me on. I found out where I could go to get involved in this.”

He signed on to work through the Portland board, which assigned officials for high school football games in southern Maine.

“I enjoyed the Portland board, but it was hard to get established because I was deployed during the football season,” said Barrett, who later moved to the Augusta board, where he remained until retiring from the field in 2012.

“The Augusta board has treated me with great respect,” said Barrett. “I was an instructor on the board, teaching the new officials. I had medical problems in 2012 that forced me to retire from the field.”

That didn’t end Barrett’s contributions to the game of football. When attending Mt. Ararat High School football games, Barrett can be seen working in the announcer’s booth. And, he continues to teach the game to officials.

“I teach the class for the students to learn the rules and mechanics of the game,” said Barrett. “Plus, I do a lot of timing and watch the guys on the field. I am able to critique them and they listen.

“When I meet with the officials in the beginning of a game, I joke with them. They get it. I am there to help them and not to take their job away from them. I have received a lot of compliments from them. That is the name of the game. If you want to be a better official, you need to listen and learn.”

Barrett looked back on his time officiating high school football.

“I worked five state championship games in my career. It used to be a goodold boys club, with the coaches deciding who they wanted to work their games,” said Barrett. “They rotate it now, and we have a very good assignor. He makes sure everybody gets the same amount of games. We are up around 80 guys working now. That is great, but a challenge for the assignor. Four boards now (Bangor, Waterville, Augusta, Portland), and schools can choose boards to work their games. Boards watch out for each other.”

Of the ceremony, Barrett had his moment in the sun during a dinner at Bowdoin College, where he was honored with a plaque. Coaches were also honored during the ceremony, and scholarships were handed out to high school students.

“I am so very honored,” concluded Barrett.