Milton Theatre hosts sendoff for retiring Carper

Milton Theatre hosted a special event Oct. 30, celebrating the career of U.S. Sen. Tom Carper, who is retiring after nearly 50 years of public service in Delaware.

Carper, 77, who has served as Delaware’s state treasurer, governor, U.S. representative and senator, announced in May 2023 that he would not seek another term in the Senate. Through October, celebrations of Carper’s career have been held in all three Delaware counties, with a final celebration in Washington, D.C., set for Wednesday, Dec. 11. 

Carper took the stage flanked by his wife, Martha, and spoke to a crowd of supporters, former staffers and local dignitaries. Carper said following his retirement, he and Martha plan to travel. He spoke about how at the end of this year’s Democratic National Convention, the PA system played Neil Young’s “Rockin’ in the Free World,” and it led him to close his remarks by saying, “No matter how young or old you are, keep on rockin’ in the free world.”