Artifacts That Are Left At The Wall...

Uploaded by warrenmichaels on Nov 23, 2007

Deschenes Oval celebrates veterans

Published: Monday, November 7, 2011

I think it is appropriate to tell the story of Deschenes Oval and the Veterans Memorial Walk.

A group of 10 decided that the Deschenes Oval needed sprucing up. We went through several sets of plans. The final plan selected was one by Richard Chasse, former fire chief and decorated World War II veteran.

We were looking for a way to salute as many veterans individually and decided on bricks with veterans’ names on them. More than 2,800 individual bricks were placed. Each brick’s purchase price was $30, allowing for three lines to be embossed on it.

We decided right away there would not be any military ranks, as we have doctors, lawyers, businesses and others, and military ranks from private to three-star generals.

The walk also has 10 monuments – one for each major war – and the last was for the war we hoped not to fight. That didn’t last long, as we have been fighting wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

There are four granite benches purchased by individuals families. (Nash, Fosse, Buckingham, Dalianis, Katis and Powers.) We wanted a place where people could sit and remember.

Also included is the Purple Heart Memorial in the Oval with a flag pole. The memorial is made of black granite with a replica of the Purple Heart medal.

Also, four members of our community purchased a monument with a brass plaque. It was for all who died on 9/11 – civilians, firefighters, policemen and military personnel. On the plaque is a quote from George Bush. (“We will not falter, we will not fail ...”).

Every day I can go by Deschenes Oval Veterans Memorial Walk and see people looking for a brick or laying a flower.

The city was great to work with on this project, including Mayor Bernie Streeter.

When you drive up and down Library Hill, just look.

God bless our veterans.

Angus Douglas, left, uncle of Lance Cpl. Michael Geary, comforts Geary's mother, Nancy (Buiting) Geary, as Geary's body is carried from the airplane at Manchester Boston Regional Airport on Wednesday. (THOMAS ROY)

Thomas Roy/Union Leader marine 12/15/10 US Marine Honor Guard's from the Bravo Company 1st Battalion 25th Marine Division in Londonderry, salute the body of LCpl Michael Geary from the airplane at Wiggins Airways in the Manchester Boston Regional Airport on Wednesday.

Click photo for updated story.

GRAFTON, NH – Family members are mourning the loss of a 24-year-old veteran of the Iraq war who came home two years ago a changed man suffering the after-effects of a traumatic war experience. <click on photo for full story>

Cpl. Charte, USMC from NY to New Hampshire...Through Goffstown, NH and onto the State Veterans Cemetery at Boscawen, New Hampshire to the final resting place. Semper Fi Marine...

GOFFSTOWN, NH – Cpl. Philip Gerald Eichner Charte received a hero’s welcome Thursday from the country, state and town he died trying to protect. Charte, 22, was killed September 7 while supporting combat operations in Helmand Province, Afghanistan. A 2007 graduate of Goffstown High School, Charte was a member of a Marine battalion based out of Camp Lejeune, N.C. After a funeral service Thursday morning in his boyhood home of Cambridge, N.Y., state police and motorcyclists from the Patriot Guard Riders drove through three states to bring Charte back home. The convoy passed through Goffstown at approximately 4 p.m. Thursday. Mourners of all ages lined downtown Goffstown, saluting or holding their hands over their hearts as Charte’s hearse drove by. A number of Charte’s friends lined the route, but many more who had never met the soldier and former state-champion wrestler turned out to pay their respects. “I’m a veteran, he’s a veteran – that’s it,” said Randy Noyes, of Goffstown. “He gave his life for the country.” Catherine Conley said she took her seven-year-old son Sam out of school early to watch the procession. “I think it is important to educate our children about how we have our freedom and the people who lose their lives for it, and I take it seriously,” Conley said. “I just want to show the family honor and respect.” That passion was evident on the battlefield, first in Iraq from 2008 to 2009, and then in Afghanistan. For his actions on the field, Charte earned the Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and the National Defense Service Medal. Charte earned the Purple Heart posthumously. After passing through Goffstown, Charte was given a burial with full military honors at the New Hampshire State Veterans Cemetery in Boscawen. A light rain began to fall as a complement of Marines fired a 21-gun salute. Friends and family gathered afterward for an emotional memorial service at Goffstown High School. Charte’s close friend, Joshua Rouille, remembered a quiet young man who spoke through his actions. A slide show of a younger Charte - building a snowman, wrestling, and blowing out candles on his birthday cake - played behind Rouille as he spoke. “He inspired people. He didn’t have to say a word – it was that unspoken inspiration,” Rouille said. “His presence could be felt in any room. His energy and his positive attitude was always there, no matter what he went through.”

KENSINGTON – Army Sgt. Andrew Nicol was respected by his peers, whether it was on a wrestling mat as a high school athlete trying to beat his opponent, or on the battlefield as a soldier fighting for his country. The 23-year-old serving with the 3rd Battalion 75th Ranger Regiment out of Fort Benning, Ga., grew up in Kensington and was a 2006 graduate of Exeter High School. His death came just a couple of weeks before he was expected to return home. He had served five tours in Iraq and Afghanistan and was awarded a Medal of Valor in 2008, according to The Associated Press. While Nicol was living in the Fort Benning area during his time in the military, his roots were in Kensington. Family and friends are now remembering Nicol as a hero after the Army Ranger was killed by an improvised explosive device in Afghanistan Sunday morning. 

4:00PM-Nicol, Andrew-VFC/Graveside

Below are the 2 links to the slideshow. The first preparing the wreaths, the seconded the laying of the wreaths.

The first one is preparing the wreaths, the second was placing them.

Part One: http://usmri.org/photogallery/Jalbum/Boscawen%20Wreaths%202009/index.html

Part Two: http://usmri.org/photogallery/Jalbum/Boscawen%20Wreaths%20Part%202/index.html

Honoring Prisoners of War - POW Recognition Day New Hampshire State Veterans Cemetery  Boscawen, NH - Saturday, April 10, 2010

New Hampshire Chapter of Veterans of Foreign Wars, Military Order of the Purple Heart, American Ex-Prisoners of War, Blue and Gold Star Mothers......Master of Ceremonies: Irene M. Wells, Commander NH AXPOW; Posting of Colors-Color Guard Franklin VFW Post 1698 and VFW Men's Auxiliary; National Anthem and Pledge of Allegiance - Audience participation; Invocation - Bruce Carbone, NH VFW POW Chairman; Guest - ; POW Recognition - Mini flag placing on wreath Audience participation; Purple Heart Awards - Allan Gavan, NH AXPOW, Robert Jones, MOPH, Paul Martin, MOPH, Dr. Russ Armstrong, Chair Veterans Sub Committee, State Committee On Aging; POW Prayer - Bruce Cardone; Taps - Neal Beaupre, Service Oficer VFW Post 1698; Retiring Colors - VFW Post 1698.Recipients of 'Purple Heart Medals': Wesley Ash, *Francis A. Ashey, Philip A. Botsford, *Herbert Brokenshire, Madison F. Charles, *Robert P. Chase, John A. Cuss, *Myron G. Dick, Gerard L. J. Dubay, Leland R. Dunham, *Houston E. Edwards, Reginald E. Frazier, Burt C. Gay, Herbert A. Hesseltine, *Harry R. Leighton, Elliot R. Lund, Roland J. Maynard, *William Marston, Patrick T. McLaughlin, J. Norman Pelletier, James C. Picard, Elmer P. Richard, *John F. Ryder, Alfred H. Sidney, J. Norman St. Laurent, Frederick A. Stearns, *Joseph A. Sullivan, Aurel Tremblay. [*hand delivered]