With Memorial Day upon us, it seems a fitting time to share some thoughts and reflections regarding a recent trip with my children to Washington, D.C. One of the sites we visited was the newly-dedicated World War II memorial. It was nothing less than breathtaking. The strength and might and heroism that was the “greatest generation’s” America and her soldiers has been captured for posterity and quite impressively depicted in an appropriate work of monumental art. The grand design is simultaneously simple yet majestic in its homage to the brave soldiers who fought and died in the defense against world domination by evil dictators and regimes. Additionally, this latest addition to the monuments gracing the nation’s capital boldly radiates the sense of unity and single-purposeness that characterized the America of that time. I proudly stood with awe and respect of my American forebears, honoring the memory of those who gave the ultimate sacrifice.
Leaving the WWII edifice, we headed for the Vietnam Wall. Nestled in a lightly wooded area off to one side of the Reflecting Pool, the memorial, while starkly different from that which we just left, was in no way less powerful an experience. Passing a bronze statue depicting three weary, yet defiant US soldiers, the somber wall sections come into view. Forever immortalizing the names of those who never returned, the memorial evokes strong feelings of respect, honor, and yes, sadness. For it was those listed on the polished black wall and their loved ones left behind who received a double hit- that of death coupled with the abandonment of the mission and lack of support displayed by their fellow Americans at that time.
Today, of course, we live in a new time, with a new war. The bravery, duty, and sacrifice continue. Since July of 2001, the following New Hampshire (or NH affiliated) soldiers have made the ultimate sacrifice: Marine Adam R. Brooks, 20; Army Alan J. Burgess, 24; Army Nicholas R. Cournoyer, 25 (Gilmanton); Army Richard L. Ferguson, 45; Marine Timothy M. Gibson, 23; Marine Robert L. Moscillo, 21; Army Jeremy F. Regnier, 22; Army George R. Roehl, Jr., 21; Army Robert E. Rooney, 43; Army Randy S. Rosenberg, 23; Marine Peter j. Sora, Jr., 19; Army Jeremiah Jay Holmes, 27; Marine Matthew L. Bertolino, 20; Navy Daniel R. Healy, 36; Army William J. Tracy, 27; and Marine Sean M. Hughes, 20.
The author of the following words is unknown. They seem perfect as we take the time to honor our nation’s fallen soldiers: “I want you to close your eyes and picture in your mind the soldier at Valley Forge, as he holds his musket in his bloody hands. He stands barefoot in the snow, starved from lack of food, wounded from months of battle and emotionally scarred from the eternity away from his family surrounded by nothing but death and carnage of war. He stands though, with fire in his eyes and victory on his breath. He looks at us now in anger and disgust and tells us this…
