Letter: Fitch for the Future

Letter to the Editor04:45PM / Monday, August 10, 2026Print Story | Email Story

To the Editor:

I was born, raised, and had a full career as a public schoolteacher and administrator in Massachusetts.

Strong dedication and work ethic in one's career and community roles are of upmost importance to me. For this reason, I'd like to introduce you to my son, Andrew J. Fitch, who is campaigning to be the next Massachusetts state representative in the 1st Berkshire District.

Dedication, work ethic and community efforts define my son. I've witnessed this with my own eyes and have heard similar stories from his contemporaries, teachers, professors, employers and constituents for 41 years.

I'm 65 years old and very cognizant of the fact that the time has come to thank our older politicians for their work and to encourage our next generation to step forward in local, state and federal government. Think of how different and fast moving this world is than it was 20, 30, 40 or 50 years ago! This younger generation needs to be embraced for their understanding, growth, hard work and forward thinking. We will all benefit.

Andrew Fitch is for the future. Believe me, I know. He is what is needed at the state level; he will work tirelessly for your community. Get to know him and you'll agree! Visit his website at Andrewfitch.org. Get involved. Go to an event or gathering to meet him, talk with him, tell him your story and your needs, because he'll listen. If you do, I believe you'll agree with me about Andrew, and not just because I'm his Mom.

SARA PROUTY
Moultonboro, N.H.

Tags: election 2026,

iBerkshires.com Text Ads

Now's the time...

to harvest value from your home. Click for more details about a HELOC. Insured by NCUA.

www.greylock.org

rk MILES Blding Materials

Are You Ready to Update Your Home? Start With rk MILES. 4 Locations (800)670-7433

www.rkmiles.com

If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

Veteran Spotlight: Coast Guard Capt. Thurman 'Tom' Maine

By Wayne SoaresSpecial to iBerkshires
04:42PM / Sunday, September 13, 2026

MASHPEE, Mass. — If I were to describe the best attributes of this week's veteran, they would be an infectious personality, role model, leader, wonderful family man and a person that leads by example in the very best way.

The aforementioned, are the primary reasons why Thurman "Tom" Maine enjoyed a successful and distinguished military career in the Coast Guard from 1983 to 2014.

Born in North Stonington, Conn., Maine entered the Coast Guard at the age of 21 and was sent to boot camp in Cape May, N.J. His first assignment was at Coast Guard Station in Provincetown, R.I. From 1994 to 1997, he was a helicopter pilot for Coast Guard Air Station at Otis Air National Guard Base and was elevated to operations officer, chief pilot at the base from 2004 to 2007.

During his 31-year career, Maine flew some of the Coast Guard's most elite helicopters; the Sikorsky H-3 (the Coast Guard's last amphibious aircraft), the Sikorsky H-60 (the most widely flown military helicopter in the world) and the H-65 (a smaller, faster helicopter that deploys on ships).

Maine continued to rapidly climb the ranks and in 2009 was promoted as the Coast Guard's liason to the Chairman of The Joint Chiefs of Staff at the Pentagon, a position he held until 2011. Following that assignment, he was promoted to captain and rose to be the commanding officer at the Coast Guard's prestigious Aviation Training Center in Mobile, Ala.

During his tenure as commanding officer, he suffered a devastating blow when four Guardsman were killed during a night training exercise. He conveyed that his greatest achievement in his entire military career, was the leadership he provided

to his 600-member unit and the families of the fallen Guardsmen, by always being accessible, communicating constantly and holding vitally important family nights.

He said this tragedy, "gave him the ultimate opportunity to live out his faith." He also lobbied intensely for the student pilot who was killed to be awarded his designation posthumously, which he did.

View Full Story