Eight new names added to local War on Terror monument

HAMPTON — Hundreds gathered outside American Legion Post 35 Sunday evening to honor the addition of eight names to the Global War on Terrorism Monument (GWOT).

Police closed off High Street for the ceremony, which featured speakers including military veterans, Gov. John Lynch and U.S. Navy Cmdr. Thomas Shultz. Color guards from the Winnacunnet High School Junior ROTC, Boy Scouts Troop 177 and Hampton Fire Department were on hand, and a large American flag hung high, suspended from a Hampton fire truck’s ladder.

The eight names added this year bring the total of New Hampshire’s fallen heroes since 9/11 to 57. Two stones were added to accommodate their names and any future additions.

Added to the monument this year are Michael E. Geary of Derry, Michael B. Cook of Salem, James Keenan of Newmarket, James W. Dennehy of Salisbury, Nicholas P. Bernier of East Kingston, David Guindon of Merrimack, Charles E. Dane of Auburn and Zachary Tellier of Manchester.

Post 35 Cmdr. Ralph Fatello described Legion members John Barvenik and George Maston as keepers of the monument, which was erected in 2006.

“We never dreamt at the time we’d have to add more stones,” Barvenik said.

He and Maston agreed that the monument is all about the families who have lost loved ones in the war on terror.

“It’s kind of personal to us,” he said. “We will do whatever we have to do … for the sake of the families.”

In his opening remarks, Fatello said that, by 9:30 a.m. on Sept. 11, 2001, “Our world had changed forever.” The monument outside the Legion post is “a direct result of that day,” he said.

The soldiers “heard and saw what happened to America that day, and they wanted to do something about it,” Fatello said. “They were willing to make the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom.”

Many family members of those who died attended the ceremony. Among them were Paul Bernier and Tina Clements, parents of Army Spc. Bernier, who was killed after insurgents attacked his unit in June; and Jeffrey and Ann Conger of Barrington, whose son, Jesse, was killed in a training accident when a five-ton truck rolled over on March 22, 2002.

Lynch lauded the Hampton post for its “tremendous commitment” to the monument. He said he considered it an “honor and a privilege” to attend Sunday’s ceremony and similar ceremonies held at the post annually on the anniversary of Sept. 11.

“It is our solemn duty to forever remember the service of these New Hampshire soldiers,” he said.

State Legion Cmdr. Bob Blais spoke of the “debt of gratitude” owed to those who travel far from home and family to protect American values. He called the 57 soldiers named on the monument “heroes” who will never come home again.

“This is a sad day,” he said. “It’s a loss that affects us all.”

Shultz, the Navy’s commanding officer, said he found it difficult to appear as Sunday’s keynote speaker, due to feeling that he has not done as much for his country as his fallen brothers, who sacrificed as so many others have done through history, from colonial times to today.

“As President Reagan so fittingly said, ‘We always show that the United States remains the last best hope for freedom,'” he said.

The ceremony concluded with a roll call of the deceased and 57 tolls of the U.S. Navy bell, a volley fired by the Marine Corps League Firing Squad, and a performance of taps by Mark Weatherby.