KENNEBUNK — A Kennebunk High School graduate has received a send-off from former First Lady Barbara Bush in Maine.

John Burns, who graduated Sunday, received a surprise congratulations from Mrs. Bush, who videotaped a message for him that appeared at the end of a video created for his graduation party.

The York County Coast Star reported that the video ended with Mrs. Bush appearing on the video screen and proclaiming, “I just want to congratulate John Burns on graduating high school. What a great job you’ve done and how proud your family are. God bless you all.”

Blake Baldwin, president of Video Creations, where Burns’ mother works, said he was already filming Mrs. Bush for an upcoming United Way event, so he decided to ask her for a “shout-out” for Burns.

Mrs. Bush was game but asked, “What’s a shout-out?” he said.

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“It’s a tribute to Mrs. Bush and how gracious she is that she just said, ‘absolutely,'” Baldwin said.

Last summer, Burns visited Walker’s Point in neighboring Kennebunkport, where Barbara Bush and former President George H.W. Bush spend their summers.

As part of the “You’ve been rammed” fundraiser, a bunch of rams — the school’s mascot — began popping up on lawns of homes and businesses throughout town.

“Not only do I have a picture of me with President (George H.W.) Bush, but I have a personalized message from the first lady,” John Burns said. “It was so touching to hear that she was willing to do something like that.”

 


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