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Line 1: [[File:Mrelogo.png\|thumb\|The MRE logo was created by Cindy Fletcher-Holden in 1998]] '''The Maritime Republic of Eastport''' (MRE) is a nonprofit organization that holds several charity events each year. Created in 1998, the [http://themre.org/ '''MRE'''] has distributed over $500,000 to local charities and organizations from funds raised at events including the annual .05K Bridge Run and [[Eastport Tug of War\|Tug of War]] ~~events~~. 2020 is know as the "Year Without a Tug" because or the COVID-19 pandemic. The Bridge run was also cancelled that year. The .05K Bridge Run resumed on May 7, 2022. Participants braved the stormy weather and $3500 was donated to the SPCA of Anne Arundel County. The 2022 Tug of War resumed on November 5, 2022. Over $30,000 was donated to local charities. == Origins == === Seccession! === [[File:1998 Faces of the Eastport Revolution.jpg\|thumb\|Faces of the Eastport Revolution]] When the Maryland State Highway Administration announced plans to close the Spa Creek Bridge connecting Annapolis to the community of Eastport for three weeks of repairs, residents and business owners started talking about revolution. On January 25, 1998, the day before the bridge closing, Eastport patriots declared "secession" from the City that had annexed the community in 1951. At 1 pm, Revolutionary War re-enactors fired volleys from muskets and cannon across Spa Creek. This was followed by the launch of the Eastport Aerial Reconnaissance Patrol (EARP), consisting of ''The Yellow Dog'' - a small yellow blimp controlled by "Generalissimo" Mike Raab. There was a "quick retreat" to Leon's Barbershop on Fourth Street where a Declaration of Independence was read and Leon Wolfe was sworn in a Prime Minister of the MRE by former Annapolis Mayor Al Hopkins. <gallery caption="Photos by Mike Miron"> File:20200810-001.jpg ~~File:1998 Faces of the Eastport Revolution.jpg~~ File:~~20180501~~20200810-~~004~~002.jpg~~\|photo Mike Miron~~ File:~~20180501~~20200810-~~005~~003.jpg~~\|photo Mike Miron~~ File:~~20180501~~20200810-~~006~~004.jpg~~\|photo Mike Miron~~ File:~~20180501~~20200810-~~007~~005.jpg~~\|photo Mike Miron~~ File:~~20180501~~20200810-~~010~~006.jpg~~\|photo Mike Miron~~ File:20200810-007.jpg File:20200810-008.jpg File:20200810-009.jpg File:20200810-010.jpg File:20200810-011.jpg File:20200810-012.jpg File:20200810-013.jpg File:20200810-014.jpg File:20200810-015.jpg File:20180501-004.jpg File:20180501-005.jpg File:20180501-006.jpg File:20180501-007.jpg File:20180501-010.jpg </gallery> <gallery caption="More Photos (source unknown)"> File:20200813-002.jpg File:20200813-004.jpg File:20200814-001.jpg File:20200814-002.jpg File:20200814-003.jpg File:20200814-004.jpg File:20200814-005.jpg File:20200814-006.jpg File:20200814-007.jpg File:20200814-008.jpg File:20200814-009.jpg File:20200814-010.jpg File:20200814-011.jpg File:20200814-012.jpg File:20200814-013.jpg File:20200814-014.jpg File:20200814-015.jpg File:20200814-016.jpg File:20200814-017.jpg File:20200814-018.jpg File:20200814-019.jpg </gallery> <gallery caption="Media Coverage"> File:1998-01-26 Capital - Eastport cuts ties to city.jpg File:1998-01-26 The Sun - Break from the ordinary.jpg File:1998-01-28 Capital - Eastport knows how to secede.jpg File:1998-02 TPE page 01 - Up the Republic.jpg File:1998-02 TPE page 15.jpg File:1998-02 TPE page 14 - Eastport Shuffle.jpg File:1998-01-26 Washington Times - Birthing a Nation.jpg File:1998-02 Old Town Crier - Eastport Secedes Where Others Have Failed.jpg Line 23 ⟶ 75: Following the ceremonies and performance of the new Eastport National Anthem by the Eastport Chamberpot Orchestra and the Eastport Crabernacle Choir led by Them Eastport Oyster Boys, there was a benefit concert at the Chart House restaurant. === ~~Paw~~Dog ~~Crawl~~Day Afternoon === [[File:1998-02 Dog Day Afternoon Official Sponsor.jpg\|thumb]] A few weeks later, on February 8, the first annual Paw Crawl was held at Eastport Elementary. Canine contestants were given MRE bandanas and "celebrity" judges awarded prizes for clever dog tricks. The official mascot of the MRE was a marina retriever. [[File:1998-02-09 Capital - Eastport Dog Day Afternoon cropped.jpg\|thumb]] ~~<gallery caption="{Photos by Mike Miron}">~~ A few weeks later, on February 8, the first annual Dog Day Afternoon was held at Eastport Elementary. Canine contestants were given MRE bandanas and "celebrity" judges awarded prizes for clever dog tricks. The official mascot of the MRE was a marina retriever. ~~File:20180501-008.jpg~~ <gallery caption="Photos by Mike Miron"> File:20180501-009.jpg File:20180501-011.jpg Line 53 ⟶ 106: File:20180501-034.jpg File:20180501-035.jpg</gallery> <gallery caption="More Photos (source unknown)"> ~~After the contest, Eastport businesses welcomed pets and pet-owners into their establishments.~~ File:20200814-020.jpg ~~<gallery caption="{Photos by Mike Miron}">~~ File:20200814-021.jpg </gallery> After the contest, the Paw Crawl took place. Eastport businesses welcomed pets and pet-owners into their establishments. <gallery caption="Photos by Mike Miron"> File:20180501-036.jpg File:20180501-037.jpg File:20180501-038.jpg File:20180501-039.jpg ~~File:20180501-040.jpg~~ File:20180501-041.jpg File:20180501-042.jpg File:20180501-043.jpg ~~File:20180501-046.jpg~~ File:20180501-047.jpg File:20180501-048.jpg File:20180501-049.jpg File:20180501-050.jpg ~~File:20180501-051.jpg~~ File:20180501-052.jpg File:20180501-053.jpg File:20180501-054.jpg File:20180501-055.jpg ~~File:20180501-056.jpg~~ File:20180501-057.jpg File:20180501-058.jpg </gallery> ~~File:20180501-036.jpg~~ ~~File:20180501-037.jpg~~ === Reunification === ~~File:20180501-038.jpg~~ [[File:1998-02-13 Reunited.jpg\|thumb]] The Spa Creek Bridge reopened on Friday, February 13, 1998. A ribbon cutting by MRE Prime Minister Leon Wolfe was met with cheers from both sides. [[File:1998-03-01 Capital - Republic of Eastport reunifies with Ball.jpg\|thumb]] That evening, the Reunification Ball sponsored by the Daughters of the Eastport Revolution (DER) was held at The Clipper restaurant. The Unanimous Declaration of Independence was signed by MRE ministers and dignitaries during a musical celebration. [[File:1998-01-25 Unanimous Declaration of Independence - signed.jpg\|thumb\|Unanimous Declaration of Independence]] <gallery caption="Photos by Mike Miron"> File:20180501-059.jpg File:20180501-060.jpg File:20180501-074.jpg File:20180501-061.jpg File:20180501-065.jpg File:20180501-066.jpg File:20180501-068.jpg File:20180501-070.jpg File:20180501-072.jpg File:20180501-079.jpg File:20180501-082.jpg File:20180501-080.jpg File:20180501-081.jpg File:20180501-083.jpg File:20180501-084.jpg File:20180501-085.jpg File:20180501-086.jpg File:20180501-087.jpg File:20180501-088.jpg File:20180501-089.jpg File:20180501-090.jpg File:20180501-091.jpg File:20180501-092.jpg File:20180501-093.jpg File:20180501-094.jpg File:20180501-095.jpg File:20180501-096.jpg File:20180501-097.jpg File:20180501-098.jpg File:20180501-099.jpg File:20180501-100.jpg File:20180501-101.jpg File:20180501-102.jpg File:20180501-104.jpg File:20180501-105.jpg File:20180501-106.jpg File:20180501-107.jpg File:20180501-108.jpg File:20180501-109.jpg File:20180501-110.jpg File:20180501-111.jpg File:20180501-112.jpg File:20180501-113.jpg File:20180501-114.jpg File:20180501-115.jpg File:20180501-116.jpg File:20180501-117.jpg File:20180501-118.jpg File:20180501-119.jpg File:20180501-120.jpg File:20180501-121.jpg File:20180501-122.jpg File:20180501-123.jpg File:20180501-124.jpg File:20180501-125.jpg File:20180501-126.jpg File:20180501-127.jpg File:20180501-128.jpg File:20180501-129.jpg File:20180501-130.jpg File:20180501-131.jpg File:20180501-132.jpg File:20180501-133.jpg File:20180501-134.jpg File:20180501-135.jpg File:20180501-136.jpg File:20180501-137.jpg File:20180501-138.jpg File:20180501-139.jpg File:20200807-001.jpg File:20200807-002.jpg File:20200807-003.jpg File:20200807-004.jpg File:20200807-005.jpg File:20200807-006.jpg File:20200807-007.jpg File:20200807-008.jpg File:20200807-009.jpg File:20200807-010.jpg File:20200807-011.jpg File:20200807-012.jpg File:20200807-013.jpg File:20200807-014.jpg File:20200807-015.jpg File:20200807-016.jpg File:20200807-017.jpg File:20200807-018.jpg File:20200807-019.jpg File:20200807-020.jpg File:20200807-021.jpg File:20200807-022.jpg File:20200807-023.jpg File:20200807-024.jpg File:20200807-025.jpg File:20200807-026.jpg File:20200807-027.jpg File:20200807-028.jpg File:20200807-029.jpg File:20200807-030.jpg File:20200807-031.jpg File:20200807-032.jpg File:20200807-033.jpg File:20200807-034.jpg File:20200807-035.jpg File:20200807-036.jpg File:20200807-037.jpg File:20200807-038.jpg File:20200807-039.jpg File:20200807-040.jpg File:20200807-042.jpg File:20200807-043.jpg File:20200807-044.jpg File:20200807-045.jpg File:20200807-046.jpg File:20200807-047.jpg File:20200807-048.jpg File:20200807-049.jpg File:20200807-050.jpg File:20200807-051.jpg File:20200807-052.jpg File:20200807-053.jpg File:20200807-054.jpg File:20200807-055.jpg File:20200807-056.jpg File:20200807-057.jpg File:20200807-058.jpg File:20200807-059.jpg File:20200807-060.jpg File:20200807-061.jpg File:20200807-062.jpg File:20200807-063.jpg File:20200807-064.jpg File:20200807-065.jpg File:20200807-066.jpg File:20200807-067.jpg File:20200807-068.jpg File:20200807-069.jpg File:20200807-070.jpg File:20200807-071.jpg File:20200807-072.jpg File:20200807-073.jpg File:20200807-074.jpg File:20200807-075.jpg File:20200807-076.jpg </gallery> === First Bridge Run === [[File:1998-02 Bridge Run poster.jpg\|thumb]] [[File:1998-02-19 Washington Post on Bridge Run.jpg\|thumb]] After a night of celebrating Reunification, the MRE managed to pull off another event that made headlines. On February 14, 1998, residents of the new republic "invaded" Annapolis with a .05K run over the repaired Eastport Bridge. Registrants were given t-shirts with artwork designed by Cindy Fletcher-Holden, Minister of Fine Arts & Aerobics. All runners wore the same number - 21403 (Eastport's zip code). Cups of water were handed out at the halfway point. <gallery caption="Photos by Mike Miron"> File:20200807-078.jpg File:20200807-079.jpg File:20200807-080.jpg File:20200807-081.jpg File:20200807-082.jpg File:20200807-083.jpg File:20200807-084.jpg File:20200807-085.jpg File:20200807-086.jpg File:20200807-088.jpg File:20200807-091.jpg File:20200807-093.jpg File:20200807-095.jpg File:20200807-096.jpg File:20200807-097.jpg File:20200807-099.jpg File:20200807-100.jpg File:20200807-101.jpg File:20200807-102.jpg File:20200807-104.jpg File:20200807-105.jpg File:20200807-106.jpg File:20200807-107.jpg File:20200807-108.jpg File:20200807-109.jpg File:20200807-110.jpg File:20200807-111.jpg File:20200807-112.jpg File:20200807-113.jpg File:20200807-114.jpg File:20200807-115.jpg File:20200807-116.jpg File:20200807-118.jpg File:20200807-121.jpg File:20200807-122.jpg File:20200807-123.jpg File:20200807-124.jpg File:20200807-125.jpg File:20200807-126.jpg File:20200807-127.jpg File:20200807-128.jpg File:20200807-132.jpg File:20200807-134.jpg File:20200807-136.jpg File:20200807-145.jpg </gallery> An awards ceremony followed that evening. Hamilton Chaney was declared the winner. <gallery caption="Photos by Mike Miron"> File:20200807-138.jpg File:20200807-139.jpg File:20200807-140.jpg File:20200807-141.jpg File:20200807-142.jpg File:20200807-143.jpg File:20200807-144.jpg File:20200807-146.jpg </gallery> === MRE Naval Maneuvers === On May 28, 1998, the Republic took to the waters with 26 vessels. Spa Creek was declared "The Gulf of Eastport" and the flotilla paraded down "Ego Alley" as bewildered tourists looked on. <gallery> File:1998-09-13 Capital - MRE Navy Alert.jpg File:1998-05-28 Certificate of Registration.jpg File:1998-05-28 MRE Naval Maneuvers.jpg File:1998-05-29 Capital - Eastport Navy flotilla takes to water.jpg </gallery> === Declaration of War === [[File:1998 Challenge broadside.jpg\|thumb]] [[File:1998 Call for Volunteers.jpg\|thumb]] The 1st Tug of War contest between Eastport and Annapolis took place on November 14, 1998. <gallery> File:1998-11 TPE - Battle lines drawn.jpg File:1998-11-15 Capital - 1st Tug of War.jpg File:1998-11-15 Sun - Annapolis Eastport battle in tug of war.jpg File:1998-11-15 Washington Post - A Tussle of Two Cities.jpg File:1998-11-21 Capital - Enough Rope.jpg File:1998-11-28 Capital - Annapolis generates its own entertainment.jpg File:1999-01 Chesapeake Bay Magazine - 1st Tug of Wag.jpg </gallery>