Eastport's welcoming spirit shines through for Navy officers and crew

The over 300 sailors aboard the guided missile destroyer that was in port during Eastport's Fourth of July celebration were embraced by the island city's warm and welcoming spirit, despite the heat and humidity that enveloped the area. The USS Lassen was at the breakwater from July 1 through 6.

Commander Kevin Walter, the captain of the ship, says, "A ship doesn't get to ask to come here. We're assigned, but many sailors have been thanking me for bringing the ship here. The welcome has been outstanding."

Walter says that when he found out that the Lassen would be coming to Eastport for the Fourth, he reached out to some friends in the Navy who had visited the city during previous Fourth celebrations so "I could understand what it means to the town, what its connection to the Navy is and how important it is to be celebrating in Maine's deep-water port." The island city has hosted U.S. Navy ships since the 1860s, with at least 35 ships over the past 45 years.

While the Lassen visited Eastport over the Fourth nine years ago, in 2017, only one sailor on ship during this year's visit was aboard at that time. Walter notes that officers spend between 18 months and three years on a particular ship, with enlisted sailors' time being between three and five years.

For its visit this year, the Lassen left on June 8 from its homeport of Mayport, Fla., where the temperature was in the high 80s and low 90s. When the ship arrived in Eastport on July 1, the temperature was rather "chilly," in the high 50s, Walter notes. "A lot of my sailors were used to the Florida weather and were ill-prepared to deal with a Maine summer." That soon changed, though, as the temperature rose into the high 80s for the next three days.

As the ship came to the breakwater, it was "a beautiful approach to the town, with people cheering. We felt welcome even before we put the lines over."

The harbor pilot, Capt. Jerry Morrison, did "a fantastic job," and the port's other harbor pilot, Capt. Bob Peacock, had put together a booklet with all of the information needed for the ship, so there were "no surprises."

Between meeting people on the street or in the local eateries, bars and other establishments, the sailors had many opportunities to speak with local residents and "tell our story. The sailors are from all over country" and have many different backgrounds. For Walter, who is from Fairfax, Va., serving in the Navy runs in the family. His father was a naval officer and, from that, he "saw a lot of honor in service." Both he and his brother enlisted in the Navy about the same time.

During their time in Eastport, the sailors participated in many activities and judged some of the events, including the beauty pageants. Among the activities they took part in were the Firemen's Muster, which they won, and the Codfish Relay, which was "a little sweatier evolution," Walter says. He was joined by the executive officer, Lt. Commander Jarrod Fiecoat, and the command master chief, Erik Richey, along with a retired Major League Baseball player, Shawn Kelley, for their team, the Sea Devils. Walter was among those who carried the fish in his mouth during the race. He says the emcee, Chris Gardner, "did not let me forget that most captains do that -- whether that's true or not." He notes, though, that he was "spitting out fish scales for the next few hours."

Walter, Fiecoat and Richey also took part in the flag-raising at dawn, with the ship's captain observing that raising the American flag at the first place in the United States on the Fourth of July for the nation's 250th anniversary "will stay with me for a long time." Adding that 2026 also marks the Lassen's 25th year since it was commissioned for service, he says, "There were two very meaningful anniversaries to celebrate as the sun was coming up."

That morning a number of the officers and crew attended the pancake breakfast at the airport. A contingent of 225 sailors marched in the Grand Independence Day Parade, breaking the previous record of 218. As the sailors turned onto Water Street, the welcome "was overwhelming," with children and families waving, smiling and clapping. Some were chanting the names of Walter, Fiecoat and Richey, "which made us laugh," he says.

That evening, he and other sailors watched the fireworks from the flight deck, and he says the display "was right up there with any other show," if not better.

The following morning, five of the officers and crew from the ship participated in the four-mile walk, including Walter, and about eight ran the 7-mile Charles E. Davis Independence Run on July 5. "It was beautiful," he says, noting that it provided "an opportunity see more of the island."

When the ship departed on the morning of July 6 to sail back to Florida, people gathered on the breakwater to wave good-bye. As for the future, Walter notes, "We've done a lot of training with the crew" in preparation for deployment next year, although it's not known where that may be.

The ship is named for Clyde Lassen, who earned the Medal of Honor for his courageous rescue of two downed aviators while he was commander of a search-and-rescue helicopter in Vietnam. His helicopter squadron was known as the Sea Devils, which is "a term we use endearingly on the ship" to honor his actions "and to encourage those who serve on board" the ship, Walter says. The USS Lassen's motto, "From courage -- life," honors the ship's namesake.

Reflecting on Eastport being filled with people returning to the island city for Old Home Week, visitors vacationing in the area and the sailors who were integrated into the activities, Walter says it was "an impressive way to celebrate this nation's 250th birthday." He adds, "It was incredible to be able to park the Lassen next to the businesses downtown," which "established what we do as the Navy and reinforces we're a maritime nation."

The ship's captain comments that "it's been an honor to keep the Navy tradition in Eastport alive."