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Veterans honored at Stratham ceremony

Portsmouth Herald - 11/17/2017

STRATHAM - Before he served in the Coast Guard and Navy sailing the North Atlantic from 1944 to 1946, Stratham resident Dick MacCallum remembers going with his father to the Veterans Day parade in Boston.

"It was great," said MacCallum, who had been a keynote speaker at the Stratham Veterans Day event in the past. "We're here to remember and respect the people who serve our country. They signed a blank check with their lives for us, and a lot of them didn't come back."

This year's Veterans Day event drew community members, veterans and their families to Stratham's Veterans Garden, a collection of granite monuments and plaques located in Stratham Hill Park. Those attending braved the cold for a heartfelt ceremony of recognition and thanks to those who served and continue to serve in the nation's armed forces.

The colors were raised by Boy Scout Troop 185, who were present to honor and participate in the day.

"We honor all the vets," said senior patrol leader EJ Murphy, age 13, who led the crowd in the Pledge of Allegiance. "I'm truly thankful."

The keynote speaker of the ceremony was Commander Andrew Brown of the US Coast Guard, who not only reminded those present that the day is a "time to honor those who willingly chose to serve," but also a time to give respect to the families, and communities who are vital to supporting those who serve.

"No one can go it alone, and for those in service, families and the support they give are a lot," said Brown, whose father and brother both served in the Coast Guard.

As a community, Stratham has a strong history of residents in military service, both current and retired. The town is home to two retired two-star lieutenant generals, as well as a host of recently retired veterans, many of whom serve in the town's public safety departments.

"Freedom isn't free," commented Lt. Col. Jeff Dent, (retired Air National Guard), who is also currently a lieutenant at Stratham'sFire Department. "Today is for the people who willingly volunteer; it's a small minority who keeps us free."

Dent was there in military uniform as part of the Fire Department's Rifle Squad, its 60th year at the event, which stood alert throughout the ceremony and fired the honorary rifle salute.

A prominent part of the town's Veterans Park is a series of granite memorials inscribed with the names of those from Stratham who have served in the armed forces.

The event's master of ceremony, town resident David Canada, mentioned that any Stratham native or resident whose name does not appear on those granite markers can contact the town and have their name engraved at no charge.