Governor Baldacci Keeps 68-year Promise

Press Release

Governor John Baldacci today presented a lifetime fishing license to Donn Fendler, hero of "Lost on a Mountain in Maine."

"Donn Fendler's story of survival has been an inspiration to Maine children for more than five decades," said Governor Baldacci. "It is my pleasure to present him with this lifetime license, which he was promised many years ago."

A 12-year-old boy in 1939, Donn Fendler became separated from his hiking party on the slopes of Mt. Katahdin. He didn't see another human being for 12 days. Fendler wandered the slopes of Maine's tallest mountain until he discovered a stream, which he followed to safety. The search for Fendler was front-page news throughout the country. When he was rescued, Governor Louis Barrows invited him to the State Capitol, where he promised Donn a lifetime fishing license. But Donn never got the license.

"Last summer, Donn recounted his adventure to me when we met in Augusta," said Conservation Commissioner Patrick K. McGowan. "He mentioned that Governor Barrows had promised him the license, but he'd never received it. I mentioned that to Governor Baldacci, and today we are redeeming Governor Barrows' promise."

Fendler spent his career serving his country in the military. He retired from the United States Army as a Lieutenant Colonel. His book is still used in elementary schools throughout the state. Each summer, Donn returns to Maine from his winter home in Tennessee and often visits classrooms to talk about his adventure.

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