ARCHIE MOUNTAIN PHOTO
NEWPORT —A monument to honor a Newport Marine killed in action in DaNang, Vietnam on April 9, 1967, will be dedicated at 11 a.m. Saturday.
Pfc Terry J. Whittaker was 20-years old when he was killed in action while driving an Amtrac when it hit a mine.
Whittaker was awarded the Purple Heart, Combat Action Ribbon, Vietnam Service medal and National Defense Service Medal. He was the son of Henry and Betty Whittaker.
The monument is located at Ransom, Tracey Memorial Park on Elm Street. As a youth, Whittaker resided in the family home across the street from the park.
Bob Dombroski and his wife, Cheryl, spearheaded a fundraising effort to raise money for the memorial.
Bruce Richardson, Commander of American Legion Post 25 in Newport will welcome the gathering Saturday. The Invocation will be given by the Rev. Michael Monette, Pastor of St. Patrick Catholic Church. He will also close the session with Benediction.
Past Post Commander Peter Lovely will lead the Pledge of Allegiance and Amanda Merrigan will sing the National Anthem. That will be followed by a fly over by Captain Dave and Betty Erickson, Merchant Marine.
Liz Hennig of Post 25 will give the Address of the Day. Richardson will decorate the monument and Lovely will place a flag at the site. Cheryl Dombroski will add flowers at the monument and will then join her husband to offer their thanks for the support the project received.
As the ceremony comes to a close, Michael McLaughlin will play the Marine Corps Anthem on bagpipes; the honor guard squad American Legion Post 25 will fire their weapons and Lois Sturtevant will play Taps.
Rolling Thunder New Hampshire Chapter 2 will handle the Flag Line duties.
Members of the Post 25 Honor Guard are Robert Bachand, Thomas Currier, Arthur Demeis, Wilfred Gonyo, William Halleck Jr., Leslie Hamilton, Lloyd Hamilton, Ronald Hand, Robert Haselton, Robert Kangas, Bruce MacDonald, Laura Paquin, Leo R. Paquin, Peter Sartwell, Hugh Tait and Thomas Verdicchio.
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