By Susan Morse
Hampton Union, Friday, November 10, 2006
[The following article is courtesy of the Hampton Union and Seacoast Online.]
HAMPTON — Two new names were added to the memorial dedicated to those who have given their lives in the war against global terror.
Army Specialist (SPC) Jesse S. Conger, 22, of Barrington, and Marine Lance Corporal Peter J. Sora Jr. 19, of Londonderry, were added to the top of the Global War on Terrorism monument at the American Legion Post 35 in Hampton, said Post Cmdr. Ralph Fatello.
A ceremony unveiling their names will be held on Veterans Day on Saturday, at 11 a.m. at the American Legion post on High Street.
Conger was killed March 22, 2002, and Sora on May 4, 2004. Both men died while training in the states, and so their names were originally left off a state list of those killed fighting the war on terror, Fatello said.
“We’re honoring any service member who lost their lives while in service to their country since 9/11,” he said “The families are very appreciative.”
The families of both men are expected to attend.
“You’re training for war,” Fatello said. “War is a dangerous business.”
American Legion Post 35 members dedicated the Global War on Terrorism monument on the fifth anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks. They engraved of names of 23 service members from New Hampshire who had lost their lives since the terrorist attacks. New names are expected to be added every Sept. 11.
“Our original concept was those lost after Sept. 11 would be recognized and honored every Sept. 11,” Fatello said. “As well as future casualties, you know they’re coming. Until this war on global terror is over.”
There are now 26 names engraved on the memorial, including that of Army Corporal Nicholas A. Arvanitis, 22, of Salem, who was killed in Iraq. He will be honored next September, as well as Marine Lance Cpl. Ryan McCaughn, 19, of Manchester, who died this past Tuesday in Iraq.
The idea for the memorial came about this past summer after Post 35 members learned [from Chaplain John Holman] of two men from Hampton, Bruce Brown and Mark Brown, no relation, who died in Vietnam, but were never honored by the town.
While the post finally honored the men, Fatello said its members didn’t want something like that to happen again.
Unlike past Veterans Days, Saturday’s ceremony will be held at the Legion Post, and not at the High Street Cemetery.