The Maine Chapter of Veterans For Peace will hold a ceremony to remember Samantha Smith on her day of commemoration, Monday, June 5th at 10 a.m., in the Wildwood Ballroom of the Best Western Merry Manor Inn, 700 Main Street, South Portland, Maine. The event will feature speakers who will remember the important work “Maine’s Littlest Diplomat” accomplished in her 12 short years of life here in Maine. Afterwards, Samantha Smith Way will be dedicated at the intersection of Route 1, Main Street, and the Maine Turnpike approach (Maine Turnpike Exit 45), a short walk from the hotel.

Samantha Smith Day Background

In 1989 – four years after Samantha’s untimely death – the Maine legislature passed a bill establishing annual Samantha Smith Commemoration Day in the state. “The first Monday in June of each year is designated as Samantha Smith Day, in memory of Samantha Smith whose birthday was June 29th. The Governor shall issue annually a proclamation inviting and urging the people of this State to observe the day in schools and other suitable places with appropriate ceremony and activity. Samantha Smith Day shall commemorate and honor Samantha Smith whose vision and inspiring message for peace and brotherhood opened the door to greater understanding and friendship among nations of the world. The Department of Education shall make appropriate information available to the people and the schools within the limits of its budget.”

This year, the Maine Chapter of Veterans for Peace has taken up this charge by planning the Samantha Smith Way dedication ceremony.

For more information about the event, contact Don Kimball 505-501-9438.

This event takes place just a few days following  AWTT’s Samantha Smith Challenge celebration at Thomas College on May 24, 2023. Read more about that event here.