By Liz Premo, Atlantic News Staff Writer
Atlantic News, Friday, August 11, 2006
[The following article is courtesy of the Atlantic News]
HAMPTON — Anyone passing by American Legion Post #35’s hall at 69 High Street in Hampton has likely seen some changes taking place on the patch of lawn in front of the building.
That’s because preparations are being made for the installation and eventual dedication of Post #35’s Global War on Terrorism Memorial Monument.
The Seacoast area community is invited to attend the dedication ceremony, currently scheduled to take place at the hall at 6 p.m. on Monday, September 11. The date marks the fifth anniversary of the horrific terrorist attacks upon the American homeland.
According to Post #35 Commander, Ralph Fatello, “This unique monument will have the names of all the Veterans from the state of New Hampshire who have lost their lives in the Global War on Terror since 09/11/01, engraved in the chronological order of their passing.”
In a sketch recently released by Post #35, the monument will also feature the quote, “Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his fellow comrade.”
Flanking these words are two US Military medals — the Purple Heart and the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal. Listed underneath are the names of 20 fallen NH servicemen, as well as their ranks and their branch of military service (most are either US Army or US Marine Corps, with one US Navy listed). Several of them have immediate ties to the Seacoast area.
The names of those NH servicemen who lost their lives in service to their country appear in two columns. They are William Tracy, Andrew Stevens, Robert Rooney, Randy Rosenberg, Richard Ferguson, Jeremy Regnier, Alan Burgess, Adam Brooks, Timothy Gibson, Angelo Lozada, Matthew Coutu, Daniel Healy, Matthew Bertolino, Donald Smith, George Roehl, Nicholas Cournoyer, Robert Moscillo, Douglas Dicenzo, Daniel Gionet and Russell Durgin.
A number of guest speakers have been invited to take part in the dedication ceremony. According to Fatello, the speakers will include Veterans of the wars in both Afghanistan and Iraq, as well as other keynote speakers.
Families of NH casualties in the Global War on Terror will be in attendance, as well as other notable public dignitaries from around the state, says Fatello. The public is invited to attend this special community event, and refreshments will be served following the ceremony.
Those who would like to obtain more information regarding the monument or its dedication can write to Post #35 GWOT Monument Fund, 69 High Street, Hampton, NH 03842 or call Post #35 Commander, Ralph Fatello at (603) 926-4668.