On the recordSeptember 26, 2011
today I wish to pay tribute to three truly remarkable Mainers--Elaine Greene, Carmen Footer and JoAnn Miller, affectionately known as, The Freeport Flag Ladies. It has been said that great things come in threes. That adage applies many, many times over for my friends and phenomenal Mainers, all retired and residing together in Elaine's home on School Street in Freeport. I am in awe of them and their story which is one of unabashed patriotism, limitless inspiration, and a love of country that makes us all inexpressibly proud. Every Tuesday morning from 8 to 9 a.m., regardless of weather and irrespective of season, these renowned Flag Ladies have stood not far from another icon in Maine, L.L. Bean, with the presence and exuberance of not one, but three Statues of Liberty having come to life for the single purpose of paying rightful homage to those who have sacrificed for all of us--our brave service men and women and our first responders. And incredibly, they have never, ever missed a Tuesday--not once. They have given up vacations and used the money they saved for this and other endeavors, including sending care packages to those fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan.…
