Northeast POW/MIA Freedom Ride

Faith and Trust ..... 

We must never Forget

Save The Date!

Northeast POW/MIA Network Freedom Ride ~ June 13, 2019

26th Anniversary of the Freedom Ride 
31st Anniversary of the Vigil 

Hesky Park "The Rock" Meredith, NH 

”Ride to the Rock”

POW/MIA Vigil..Freedom Ride..'Together Always 

Freedom Ride line up at Lowe's Gilford by 5:45 pm, bikes leaving
 for Meredith at 6:00 pm to arrive for 7 pm.

For speaker list and additional information click on the link below

https://www.northeastpowmianetwork.org/FreedomRide.html

Open Letter to Our Veterans

Since we became an independent country many years have come and gone, however, there is one constant that remains from the 1700’s through today. Our country has had many brave men and women volunteer to defend our country.

There was a movie produced about World War II, whose name I cannot recall, but at the end there is a line which rings true (even though the words are not an exact quote), “Where do we get these brave men and women to always step forward when the need arises?” These men and women come from all over our country and too many times are taken for granted. Men and women, who during times of war and peace, are on-call 24 hours a day 7 days a week and spend countless holidays, birthdays and special events away from their family and friends.

The pay is not great, but they continue to volunteer and many make it a career. They are mothers, fathers, aunts, uncles, sons, daughters, brothers, sisters, cousins and friends. We may not always agree in the wars and battles that we fight, but this should not deter us from the support we give to these men and women in uniform. It is through the sacrifice that they and the numerous individuals before them have made, which provides us with the freedoms we have to disagree and speak our objections.

While words cannot pay what we owe you and your families, we ‘thank you’ for your sacrifice. To the families who have lost loved ones, we offer our most heartfelt condolences. Many of us have never endured the pain you must feel, but our hearts hurt for your loss and wish we could help ease your pain. Let us never forget the people who did not make it home.

Remember those still serving in our prayers and never take for granted the sacrifices they make. In closing, one more time I would like to say…… THANK YOU!!!

Blue Star Mothers of New Hampshire

Missing Man Table and Flag Dedication Ceremony

Please RSVP: kristin.pressly@va.gov

Honor and Remember Flag Presentation for Deborah Crosby

"As an American asked to serve, I was prepared to fight, 

to be wounded,to be captured and even prepared to die, 
but I was not prepared to be abandoned."

Former POW Eugene "Red" McDaniel - 1967-1973

Please join the Northeast POW/MIA Network and New Hampshire Honor and Remember on Thursday, September 20, 2018 ~ @ 6:30pm PM. at Hesky Park, Meredith, New Hampshire for the presentation of the Honor and Remember Flag to Deborah Crosby, daughter of Lt.Cmdr. Frederick P. Crosby. 

Deborah Crosby, whose father Lt. Cmdr. Frederick P. Crosby, shot down as a Navy pilot in the Vietnam War, it was June 1965. Deborah Crosby, was only six when she was sent home from the first grade to learn her father was presumed dead, though his body had not been found. Lt. Cmdr. Frederick P. Crosby’s remains were returned to his family last year.​

The weekly vigil will follow the flag presentation at 7:00 pm. All are invited to join us. 

Over the years people from the area, state and country have gathered in support of those POW's who have returned, their family, as well as those who did not and those MIA's and the abundance of evidence that shows were left behind. The theme, "When one American life is not worth the effort, we as Americans have lost" is still a fact and today with American soldiers, men and women, serving in harm's way, is even more important. We as American must stay vigilant on their behalf in support of their families.

Faith, Trust, Truth, Responsibility and Accountability…Facts outweigh Opinions..The Vigil Continues.

Bob Jones - 677-7045
Meredith
Northeast POW/MIA Network​

100 Nights of Remembrance Closing Ceremony

Since 2005 to the present, members of 100 Nights of Remembrance sound taps at the New Hampshire State Veterans Cemetery in Boscawen, NH and The Mount Calvary Cemetery in Manchester, NH every evening rain or shine at 7:00 PM from Memorial Day through September 11^th. After the 100 consecutive nights closing ceremonies, taps is then sounded once a week on Sunday afternoons at 1:00 PM Rain, shine or even snow until the opening ceremony each Memorial Day.  100 Nights of Remembrance is dedicated to honoring and paying the highest respect to those who have served in our Armed Forces and all our fallen heroes. The public is welcome to attend these solemn ceremonies.  “So We May Never Forget”    

Learn how you can help   

    If you have any additional questions or would like to sponsor 100 Nights of Remembrance, please email noeltylr@gmail.com   

 

2018 Closing Ceremony  - Sunday, September 9 th

 

 2018 Closing Ceremony Information

 Sunday September 9th

 

Summary:  The 100 Nights of Remembrance proudly invites all our friends to join us as celebrate our 13th Anniversary of soundings Taps at the New Hampshire State Veterans Cemetery. We also invite all New Hampshire Military Units, (NHNG, US Marines, US Coast Guard.  All Catholic War Veterans, American Legion, VFW and others..  We also have invited Fire Depts. and Police Depts. And their Honor Guards from across the State. 

Who:  Any Cadet, Scout Troop, horn player, Fire or Police Department Honor Guard or Military Honor Guard.    

Date:  Sunday, September 9, 2018   

Place:  New Hampshire Veterans Cemetery     

            110 Daniel Webster Hwy, Boscawen, NH 03303      

Tentative Schedule:  

Time: 3:30 - 4:30:  All Brass Players report in at the Maintenance Building   

4:30 - 5:30:  Brass Players warm-up and run through  

4:30 - 5:00:   All Honor Guard Units send on representative and report in at the Maintenance Building  

5:30:  Line up - All units report to the staging area at Section III   

6:00: Ceremony Starts        

 For anyone interested or for any questions, please email Noel Taylor, director of 100 Nights of Remembrance at noeltylr@gmail.com  

http://www.100nightsofremembrance.org/

 

National Former Prisoner of War Recognition Day - April 9

NATIONAL FORMER PRISONER OF WAR RECOGNITION DAY

National Former Prisoners of War Recognition Day on April 9 honors the courageous men and women who have endured brutal treatment at the hands of their captors, separation from family and displayed incredible endurance and faith during their captivity.

On this day in 1942, the largest number of U.S. Forces were captured by Japanese troops in the Bataan Peninsula in the Philippines. After battling through extreme conditions and prolonged battles, the captured troops were forced to march 65 miles to the prison camp. Without medical attention, food or water thousands died. The mistreatment continued for those who survived the brutal journey. In the compounds, deep in the unfamiliar jungle, the hardships, brutality, and suffering lasted more than two years for those who could survive.

Many POWs endure conditions much like this. These heroes deserve a day of recognition. An annual presidential proclamation is signed for National Former Prisoner of War Recognition Day and government officials, veterans, civic and private organizations observe the day with ceremonies and events. Some states require the POW/MIA flag to be flown in this day.

HOW TO OBSERVE

Honor former POWs by helping to organize events.  Ensure your organization flies the POW/MIA flag.  Use #FormerPOWRecognitionDay to share on social media.

HISTORY

President Ronald Reagan first proclaimed National Prisoner of War Recognition Day in 1987.

Prayer of Thanksgiving

Today we bow our heads to give thanks

Thanks to our Creator whose wisdom and strength is infinite.

Thanks to the winds, for cleansing tired and weary souls,

Thanks to the waters for life sustaining.

Thanks to the Mother Earth as we lay her weary head to rest for

another season.

Thanks to the Father Sun for warming our souls on the long cold days.

Thanks to the fires that life is reborn anew.

Yes Creator today we give thanks for all of your little miracles

we take so much for granted each day.

I thank you Creator for my warrior son,

Whose proud stance and carriage has

Carried him through many dark days,

And even darker nights.

He knows the Warriors Creed and

Knows the life he lives was chosen

Long ago for him.

I thank you Creator for the many hands

Each one holding a star blue or gold, to be enfolded

In this blanket not yet made

Each star is a prayer yet unanswered

They that share the knitting of a new blanket

In life they are the ones keeping the home fires lit

They are -

The mothers who stand beside, their child

Who are so far away, but so very near

The wives who stand beside their husbands

Who are so far away but so very near

The daughters who stand beside their

Mothers and grandmothers waiting for mommy or daddy to come home.

The husbands and fathers who stand waiting for their loved one

To come home. 

Creator this day we give thanks

For prayers not yet answered.

Keep all of our family near and far strong –

know in our weakest moments

we are the strongest, know in the darkest moments

we are the light to guide them home.

Yes Creator this is a day of thanks

For all that has come before

And all that will come after.

Each little moment we give thanks

To you.

Keep our warriors strong,

Keep our warriors safe

Until all our hands and voices

Once again join together

Singing praise of Thanksgiving

Lynn VanCoonis 2007

Proud NH Blue Star Mother

Memorial Day Prayer

We stand for them.......The young and the brave......Now that day is done.

We stand for them with honor, with pride, with broken hearts and empty arms......

Memorial Day.

Our heroes have gone on before us - too young to go - but too brave to stay. Our hearts were set on our lives together, an eternity of days, a future of tomorrows...... yet, day is done.

We draw together in prayer.

May we give thanks to the Almighty that we have such a land of blessing and hope to live in. A land provided and sustained by the brave of our nation. Those who have stepped forth to right wrongs and secure liberties. Those, our heroes, who have gone before us.

May we remember and pray for their families ~ seeking their comfort, their healing, their strength. May we beseech God that they may live in peace, the peace brought forth to our nation by the sacrifice of their hero.

And may we pray for one another. May we never forget what our heroes have given. May we hold our standards high and bringing their honor forth.

Those, too young to go - but too brave to stay......

Now day is done.....

WE STAND FOR THEM!

Peace and Prayers,

May your Memorial Day be One of Blessing, Safety, and Honor,

Rev. Lin McGee

National Chaplain

Star Mothers of America, Inc.

New Hampshire Blue Star Mother’s Day.

New Hampshire Blue Star Mother’s Day. (May 21, 2017)

This Sunday, May 21st, the governor shall issue a proclamation calling for a proper observance of the first Sunday after Mother’s Day which shall be known as New Hampshire Blue Star Mother’s Day recognizing and honoring all mothers who now have, or have had, children honorably serving in the United States Armed Forces.

Since WWI mothers have hung "Blue Star Flags" in their windows while their children served in the armed forces especially during conflicts or wars. To be a Blue Mother or Father is an Honor only your child can give to you. The Blue Star stands for hope and pride.

Becoming a military parent continues the life long journey ... of hope and pride. As when your child was born, you were filled with that hope and pride as well as excitement, anxiety, fear and great joy. As you step into the walk of being a military parent that journey continues and once again life changes. You find yourself noticing even more the patriotic symbols all around you, flying your United States flag with a different kind of pride. Thus "Supporting Our Troops" in a way you have probably never before.

Life changes, as your child will hold him or herself to a higher standard, you too will find it changes your life. Forever supporting your child in a different way with even more hope and pride for serving our country to keep our land free.

May you and your child be blessed while this journey of life unfolds! Remember: "To be a Blue Star Mother or Father is an Honor only your child can give to you!"

An Open Letter To Our Veterans

Since we became an independent country many years have come and gone, however, there is one constant that remains from the 1700’s through today. Our country has had many brave men and women volunteer to defend our country. There was a movie produced about World War II, whose name I cannot recall, but at the end there is a line which rings true (even though the words are not an exact quote), “Where do we get these brave men and women to always step forward when the need arises?” These men and women come from all over our country and too many times are taken for granted. Men and women, who during times of war and peace, are on-call 24 hours a day 7 days a week and spend countless holidays, birthdays and special events away from their family and friends. The pay is not great, but they continue to volunteer and many make it a career. They are mothers, fathers, aunts, uncles, sons, daughters, brothers, sisters, cousins and friends. We may not always agree in the wars and battles that we fight, but this should not deter us from the support we give to these men and women in uniform. It is through the sacrifice that they and the numerous individuals before them have made, which provides us with the freedoms we have to disagree and speak our objections. While words cannot pay what we owe you and your families, we ‘thank you’ for your sacrifice. To the families who have lost loved ones, we offer our most heartfelt condolences. Many of us have never endured the pain you must feel, but our hearts hurt for your loss and wish we could help ease your pain. Let us never forget the people who did not make it home. Remember those still serving in our prayers and never take for granted the sacrifices they make. In closing, one more time I would like to say…… THANK YOU!!!

Military Appreciation Day at Apple Hill Farm

When: Sunday, October 9, 2016 ~ Noon - 4 pm
Where: Apple Hill Farm, Concord, New Hampshire
WHO: All Military members, Veterans, Retirees and their families;
COST: None, it’s FREE!

Chuck and Dian Souther invite you to their annual Military Appreciation Day. There will be free apple picking, face painting, pumpkin painting, apple crisp, and more. The day is FREE to all current Military members, Veterans, Retirees, and their families. No need to register, your Military ID is your ticket in.

If you are a family member but don’t have a Military ID, e-mail the Blue Star Mothers at nhbluestarmom@yahoo.com. Put the words APPLE HILL on the subject line.

Apple Hill Farm is located at 580 Mountain Road, Concord, NH 03301. From the south, take Exit 17 off Route 93. Go left at the top of the ramp, then left at the stop sign; from the north take exit 17E off Route 93, and bear right over the highway then go left at the stop sign. Look for the Apple Hill Farm sign on your right (see above).

The Souther Family honors all Military, past and present, and are looking forward to seeing you again this year.

Chuck and Diane Souther

Seacoast Salutes The Troops

Seacoast Salutes

7/24/2016 11:00 am - 7/24/2016 4:00 pm

1 Redhook Way Pease International Tradeport
Portsmouth, NH 03801

Free for actively serving, $10 for veterans, $15 general admission

Service Credit Union and Redhook Brewery will host Seacoast Salutes, a one day event to honor the sacrifices of our active duty military personnel and their families.  As a fundraiser for the Chaplains Emergency Relief Fund 100% of donations raised at this year's event will help military personnel and families in crisis.  Admission gets you 1 free beer, unlimited food, and we’ll have music and games going all day. Website: www.seacoastsalute.com

Seacoast Salutes The Troops

Seacoast Salutes

7/24/2016 11:00 am - 7/24/2016 4:00 pm

1 Redhook Way Pease International Tradeport
Portsmouth, NH 03801

Free for actively serving, $10 for veterans, $15 general admission

Service Credit Union and Redhook Brewery will host Seacoast Salutes, a one day event to honor the sacrifices of our active duty military personnel and their families.  As a fundraiser for the Chaplains Emergency Relief Fund 100% of donations raised at this year's event will help military personnel and families in crisis.  Admission gets you 1 free beer, unlimited food, and we’ll have music and games going all day. Website: www.seacoastsalute.com

SPECIAL PRAYERS -- Armed Forces Day

SPECIAL PRAYERS -- Armed Forces Day Each year, we in America set aside the third Saturday in May to honor our Nation's Armed Forces. . . . . .

ARMY -- I am an American Soldier. I am a Warrior and a member of a team. 'First to fight for the right, And to build the Nation's might, And the Army goes rolling along......'

MARINES -- Before God I swear this creed. My rifle and I are the defenders of my country. We are the masters of our enemy. 'From the Halls of Montezuma, To the shores of Tripoli, We fight our country's battles, In the air, on land, and sea.......'

NAVY -- I am a United States Sailor. I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States of America and I will obey the orders of those appointed over me. 'Anchors Aweigh, my boys, Anchors Aweigh, Farewell to college joys , We sail at break of day, 'ay 'ay 'ay .......'

AIR FORCE -- I am an American Airman. I am a Warrior. I have answered my nation's call. 'Off we go into the wild blue yonder, Climbing high into the sun; Here they come zooming to meet our thunder, At 'em boys, Give 'er the gun........'

COAST GUARD -- I am proud to be a United States Coast Guardsman. I revere that long line of expert seamen who by their devotion to duty and sacrifice of self have made it possible for me to be a member of a service honored and respected, in peace and in war, throughout the world. 'We're always ready for the call, We place our trust in Thee. Through surf and storm and howling gale, High shall our purpose be........'

As the mothers, fathers, family, and friends of this proud and outstanding fighting force, what better way to honor our heroes than through prayer to the Almighty? May we stand together this Saturday, May 21, 2016, as the enduring force of strength behind our military men and women ~ lifting our voices in prayer ~ giving faithful word to the Almighty for their protection, thanksgiving for their well being, petition for their wisdom, and appreciation for their service. God Bless the Men and Women of Our Armed Forces!!!

Prayers,

Rev. Lin McGee
Past National Chaplain Blue Star Mothers of America, Inc.

New Hampshire Blue Star Mother's Day

New Hampshire Blue Star Mother's Day

On January 22, 1942 the Flint News Advertiser printed a coupon asking Mothers of serviceman to return the coupon after filling it out. The following February 1st 300 mothers met in the Durant Hotel, in Flint Michigan. Captain George H. Maines, who had conceived the idea for this group, acted as the chair of this first meeting. It was decided that after receiving 1000 responses from the ad to form a permanent organization.

On February 6th the organization was reported on Congressional record. Chapters then formed in Michigan, Ohio, Wisconsin, New York, Pennsylvania, Oregon, California, Iowa and Washington. In June of 1960 the organization was chartered by congress.

The Blue Star Flag again became a symbol of love, pride, hope and grave concern. It also became a symbol of what Americans at home could do to increase a mother's chance of seeing her son's safe return: rationing, working in factories building needed materials, and even reminding all at home that "loose lips sink ships". The Blue Star Flag, often quickly visible from the windows of many houses up and down any given street in America, symbolized a pride in the commitment of America's youth and a reminder of the gravity of the entire war effort.

Mothers volunteered throughout the tough times of World War II. They worked in hospitals, train stations, packed care packages for soldiers and were an working part of homeland security during times our time of war. The national organization waned in size over the years but has held together by mothers showing pride in both their children and country. In recent times we have began to grow in strength. Being attacked on our own soil has once again started mothers hanging flags in their windows at home proclaiming pride in the fact that we have children protecting our freedom during at time of war.

Just as when it was founded, the Blue Star Mothers continues to concentrate on providing emotional support to its members, providing support to active military troops, doing volunteer work with veterans in general and veterans’ hospitals in particular, and fostering a sense of patriotism and respect for members of the Armed Forces.

Blue Star Mothers do much more than volunteer in VA hospitals and outreach centers. They work in physical and emotional rehabilitation; help with medical supplies, transportation, food, clothing and friendship, gratitude and love.

On September 29, 2005 Blue Star Mothers of New Hampshire was chartered. We were the first chapter in New Hampshire history. In 2012 the Governor proclaimed the first Sunday after Mother's Day as Blue Star Mother's Day recognizing and honoring all mothers who now have, or have had, children honorably serving in the United States armed forces. The governor urges the citizens of this state to observe this day with appropriate events.

On this day take a moment to say thank you to all who have served, say a prayer for those who are serving far away from home and hang your Blue Star Banner proudly.