It wasn’t your typical birthday party. Christopher George turned 31 on May 3 and his friends, family, co-workers and fellow veterans planned something special for him. He celebrated the day with a benefit breakfast held in his honor. George served in the U.S. Army for four years at Elemendorf-Richardson Army Base in Anchorage, Alaska. 

He has worked for nearly two years at Fuller Marine in Boothbay as a metal fabricator and welder. He was severely injured in a Feb. 8 car accident on Route 27 in Edgecomb.

His co-workers contacted American Legion Post 36 about renting the hall. But Post 36 had a better idea after discovering George was a veteran. Instead of renting the hall, the legion held its bi-weekly breakfast fundraiser in George’s honor.

So, the veterans’ breakfast was changed from a Sunday to accommodate George’s birthday on Saturday, May 3. “As people came in, they were greeted with ‘What you donate will go to Chris,’ and people just dug in,” said Legion member Dave Patch. “Chris is amazing. He came into the hall with a smile on his face. That smile stayed there the whole time.” 

George, a North Carolina native, and his wife, Bree, moved to Maine after he finished his military duty. He was appreciative that his new hometown would support him in a time of need. “It’s pretty overwhelming. I’m new to the area with not many people to lean on,” he said. The Georges moved to Maine after considering other options. “We wanted to go someplace which reflected our values, and Maine won, by far,” he said.

Legion member Ed Harmon reported May 6, the event raised $9,000. George’s fellow employees served breakfast from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. “We are here to support him,” said Sam Fuller, a boat operator at Fuller Marine. George was later presented with a quilt made by Pat Johnston of Nobleboro. A rousing rendition of “Happy Birthday” was sung by the breakfast crew and patrons.