Maritime Republic of Eastport

The Maritime Republic of Eastport, or MRE, is a tongue-in-cheek secessionist movement in Eastport, Annapolis, Maryland. It was founded on Super Bowl Sunday 1998 in response to the Maryland State Highway Administration's announcement that the bridge connecting the neighborhood to the rest of the city of Annapolis would be closed for repairs. The republic was originally created as an advocacy tool for the local merchants, who expected to lose business, and for the distinct neighborhood and rather 'island-like' mentality of the Eastporters themselves. The early activities of the fledging nation included a revolt involving declarations and flying brussels sprouts.

Since then, the Republic has continued a local charitable organization which includes a number of unique fundraisers, chief among them the annual Annapolis/Eastport Tug Of War.

The distinctive approach of Eastport to both the 1998 State Highway closure, and ongoing pursuit of a good time in a good cause, can best be expressed by the motto and attitude of the rather remarkable Republic: "We Like It This Way."

Since 1998, the MRE has raised thousands of dollars for charities. The Eastporters have taken the powerful sentiment to help each other and applied it to work to help others. Powerful groups within the Republic include The Daughters of the Eastport Revolution, The Royal Order of Drunken Sailors, and The Revolutionary Council.

Governing body

*Premier - Brett Curreton
*Vice Premier- Mike Pachler
*Treasurer - Joan Flynn
*Secretary of State - Nikki Frese
*Chief Revolutionary – Andy Terry
*Minister of Propaganda - Karen Grahne
*Minister of War - TBD
*Quartermaster - Margie Magill
*Minister of Benevolent Activities - Dana Travaglini
*Minister of Conscription - Steve Smith
*Minister of The Malts - Dick Peterson
*Foreign Minister - Cap'n John Morgan
*Minister of the Navy - Bob Slaff
*Seal Team Commander; Ambassador to the Florida Keys - George Dowling
*Minister of Athletics - Andy Terry
*Blimp Master - Jan Cort
*Ambassador to the U.N. - Joggin' Joe Shafran
*Captain O' the Home Port - Deb Smith
*Attorney General - Rick Kennedy
*Ambassador to Cyberspace - Karen Grahne, Joyce Bolton, and Elvia Thompson, Emeritus
*Minister of Mixology - Lew Woodward, Emeritus
*Historical Rabble Rousers - Josh Cohen, Mike Raab
*Resident Greybeards (Wisdom-Dispensers): Jeff Holland, Kevin Brooks, Chris Kellogg, Sam Shropshire, Mike Raab and Cindy Fletcher-Holden

Revolutionary Council (Premier, Vice-Premier, Treasurer and Secretary of State)
Chief Revolutionary – Andy Terry
*- Dana Travaglini
*- Bob Janda
*- Chuck Terry
*- Dick Peterson
*- Rick Kennedy

ee also

*Conch Republic a similar tongue-in-cheek secessionist movement in Key West, Florida

External links

* [http://www.themre.org/ Maritime Republic of Eastport Website]