AUGUSTA — The Maine Senate enacted a bill Thursday, Feb. 10 from Senator Chip Curry, D-Belfast, that honors a firefighter from Unity. LD 1839, “Resolve, To Name a Bridge in the Town of Unity the Alton ‘Mac’ McCormick Memorial Bridge,” received unanimous, bipartisan support.

Alton McCormick was the Assistant Fire Chief in Unity in the fall of 1954 during Hurricane Carol and Hurricane Edna. Maine was battered by these storms, and floodwaters trapped dozens of families.

In Unity, a family of 10 was trapped on top of a car, and neighbors built a human chain to try to rescue them. Nine family members survived, but unfortunately one of the children and Mr. McCormick lost their lives in the flood.

In the aftermath, Alton McCormick was posthumously awarded the first-ever Civilian Citation for Bravery by then-Gov. Burton Cross.

“Being a hero is often epitomized by selfless, compassionate actions,” said Sen. Curry. “No one better embodies that than Alton McCormick. He gave his life trying to save a family during a flood. It has been my honor to work on this legislation to memorialize Mr. McCormick. Hearing from residents of Unity and his descendants has been incredibly powerful and I am glad my colleagues in the Senate supported this bill with me.”

LD 1839 would rename Bridge 5228 as the Alton “Mac” McCormick Memorial Bridge. This bridge carries U.S. Route 202 and State Route 9 in Unity over the Sandy Stream.

The bill faces further votes in the House and Senate.