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New Hampshire State
Veterans Cemetery The New Hampshire State Veterans Cemetery is one of 43 state veterans’ cemeteries and 135 national veterans’ cemeteries located throughout the United States. The 104 acre cemetery was established in Boscawen in 1997 to provide a final resting place for New Hampshire men and women who have honorably served in our nation’s armed forces. By providing and maintaining a dignified burial site and lasting memorials for those who served this nation through military service, it is a source of pride to veterans, their families and New Hampshire residents. The cemetery expresses the state’s gratitude for the service of its veterans and conveys peace through natural beauty. Historical Walkway. A historical walkway is being developed for the cemetery to commemorate the state’s military history. Twenty marble monuments will be positioned along the walkway. Each monument will feature information on a significant event of interest in the state’s 320-year military history, from establishment of the state’s militia in 1680 to the names of the 59 New Hampshire veterans who have received the Medal of Honor. The project is expected to be complete in 2003. The walkway will provide New Hampshire veterans, citizens and tourists the opportunity to reflect upon and appreciate our state’s military heritage and those who sacrificed for our nation’s freedom.
“20 Points of Light:” New Hampshire Military
History 1680 and the beginning of a New Hampshire militia - When New Hampshire’s political leaders first organized a royal provincial government in 1680, they began establishing a militia to defend settlers against any possible enemy. The French & Indian War and Fort Number 4 – During the various “wars for empire” that consumed England and France between 1689 and 1815, New Hampshire depended upon a citizen militia to protect life and property. Rogers’ Rangers and the beginnings of “special forces” – War on the North American Frontier was unlike war conducted in Europe. It was during the French and Indian War that British officers began to appreciate the “primitive” military prowess of North American volunteers. The powder raids on Fort William and Mary – When news arrived in December 1774 that a British warship might take possession on New Hampshire’s only coastal fort, two bands of patriots on two successive days stormed the fort and removed its gunpowder and arms. Some have called this the first overt act of the American Revolution. Preparing for Battle: Breed’s Hill and the Ranger – As American leaders moved closer to formally declaring independence from Great Britain, they also drifted toward war. America had to build and equip a navy and convert its militia units into a trained army. New Hampshire took the lead on both fronts. The state’s troops stood their ground at Breed’s Hill, and New Hampshire built the first vessels for the fledging Continental Navy. John Stark: Ranger, citizen soldier, and general in the army - John Stark thought of himself as a farmer, but as the veteran of two wars, he is best remembered as a company commander with Rogers’ Rangers and as a hero at both Bunker Hill and the Battle of Bennington. Although a man of few words, his few words are remembered. His “live free or die” is New Hampshire’s state motto. The War of 1812: Mr. Madison’s War – When the second war with England broke out in 1812, New Hampshire was divided. Federalist state leaders were opposed to war, deeming it an attempt by southern and western states to acquire new territories. But Jeffersonian Republicans in New Hampshire’s Merrimack Valley favored the war. In the end, both sides agreed on the need to defend Portsmouth against possible British attack. Franklin Pierce and the War with Mexico – Most of the people of New England and New Hampshire were opposed to the war with Mexico. Yet New Hampshire was a state dominated by the Democratic Party, and the Democratic Party line was to support the war. No one was a greater enforcer of the Democratic Party line than Franklin Pierce. He was quick to volunteer for service in the war, and was serving as a general at the surrender of Mexico City in 1847. The “Great Rebellion,” the state’s response, and Edward Cross – When the artillery of the Confederate States of America opened fire on Fort Sumpter in Charlestown Harbor on April 12, 1861 New Hampshire was quick to respond. In all, over 37,000 New Hampshire men served the cause of the Union. None were more gallant than the commander of the “fighting fifth,” Colonel Edward E. Cross. Harriet Patience Dame and the origins of combat nursing – When the 2nd New Hampshire Volunteer Infantry went south to fight in 1861, it was accompanied by Harriet P. Dame. She was styled a “hospital matron,” but she stayed with the front-line troops, tending the needs of wounded troops under fire. She was taken prisoner twice, and once led wounded troops to safety on a night-time march. The New Hampshire National Guard before the First World War - Following the Civil War, the New Hampshire militia had to be reconstructed. The first two units of infantry were latter joined by a third when the New Hampshire National Guard was formed in the 1878 legislative session. The Great War and the medical corps - Roughly 20,000 New Hampshire men served during the First World War. Of these, 697 died in action. No one did more to help the wounded than Dr. Robert O. Blood, who served as a captain in the Medical Corps, one of the most decorated soldiers of the war. Private Dilboy: Beyond the Call of Duty – Private George Dilboy of Keene gave new definition to the term “sacrifice” during World War I when his unit was trapped by a German machine gun nest. To save his unit, Dilboy charged the machine gun nest alone. He fell, mortally wounded, but before dying managed to shoot and kill two Germans manning the machine guns, driving off the rest. He was awarded the Medal of Honor posthumously. World War II: A “total war” epitomized by Rene Gagnon - Almost 60,000 New Hampshire men and women put on the uniform during World War II. No one better symbolized the American spirit of World War II than the six men who raised the American flag on the Japanese island of Iwo Jima. One of the six was from Manchester – Marine Corporal Rene Gagnon of Manchester. The New Hampshire Air National Guard – In October 1946, a fighter squadron was assigned to the adjutant General of New Hampshire and designated the New Hampshire Air National Guard. By 1960, the NHANG had been converted to a military transport group. They moved to Pease Air Force Base by 1966, and in 1975, the unit was flying “stratotankers” to refuel planes in flight. They are now a key component in supporting America’s worldwide military operations. Korea, the “Forgotten War” – When troops from Communist North Korea invaded and overran much of non-communist South Korea in the summer of 1950, strategy was put into practice. At least 8,000 New Hampshire soldiers served in Korea between 1950 and 1953; 135 died in action. Pease Air Force Base and the Strategic Air Command - In 1950, the citizens of New Hampshire were told that the Granite State might become home to an air base. On September 7, 1957, the base was formally dedicated and named for Captain Harl Pease a Plymouth, NH native who was awarded the Medal of Honor posthumously in World War II. Pease closed as a Strategic Air Command base in 1991, but remains home to the New Hampshire Air National Guard. Vietnam: America’s longest conflict – Over 500 New Hampshire National Guardsmen were sent to Vietnam in September 1968. New Hampshire’s 197th Field Artillery was the largest National Guard unit from the Northeast to serve in Vietnam. Desert Shield/Desert Storm – The NHANG 157th Air Refueling Wing flew 322 sorties during Desert Shield and Desert Storm. Meanwhile members of the states 744th Transportation Company supplied the front-line units with hundreds of tons of ammunition. New Hampshire recipients of the Congressional Medal of Honor – Fifty-nine New Hampshire men have been awarded the Medal of Honor, five posthumously. |
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Congratulations go out to the following Air Force Junior ROTC cadets who were awarded the AFSA AF JROTC Award. This annual award consists of a medal pendant with a ribbon and recognizes an outstanding second or third-year cadet in a three-year program (third or fourth-year cadet in a 4-year program). The recipient must demonstrate outstanding qualities in military leadership, discipline, character, and citizenship and be in the top 25% of the AFJROTC class. This years recipients are: Cadet Valana Bairett from Pinkerton Academy Cadet Paula Davis from Spaulding High School Cadet Kevin Hardacre from Salem High School" |
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