Michael (Mike) Burr, a longtime Thomaston resident, retired Navy Commander, and incumbent member of the Board of Selectmen, is the Republican candidate seeking re-election to the board. His background in public service, professional leadership, and community involvement offers a picture of the experience he brings to the contest.

Burr earned a degree in Ceramic Engineering from Alfred University before embarking on a career that spanned both military and commercial aviation. He served 21 years in the U.S. Navy, flying A7 and F18 fighter jets and retiring with the rank of Commander. After his military service, he flew with American Airlines for 33 years, retiring as a captain.

After the September 11 attacks, Burr organized the Flag Run Across America, a cross-country effort that carried a U.S. flag from Boston to Los Angeles in the fall of 2001. The flag itself had flown over Iraq in the cockpit of a U.S. F-16 just weeks earlier. Participants included airline employees, military service members, federal workers, and members of the public, with proceeds directed to charities supporting families of 9/11 victims.

In Thomaston, Burr has taken on a wide range of civic roles over the years. He chaired the Board of Finance for 12 years, led the Nystroms Park Building Committee, and served as vice chairman of the Ambulance Building Committee. He has served as the chairman of both the Opera House Commission and the Opera House Building Committee, guiding the town’s ongoing stewardship of its historic theater. His service has been recognized locally with the Rotary’s Citizen of the Year award.

Burr did not respond to a request for comment for this article.

For more on this race and other local contests, find continuing coverage on the Clocktown Chronicle’s Election page, which will be updated with additional candidate profiles in the coming weeks.