Veterans speak of the role of women, of those still missing, and of the sacrifices made by all

By BILL CHAISSON
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CLAREMONT — Fall 1918 in France was wet and cold. By October and November the rain that had been falling through September was joined by strong winds, sleet, and snow. Through it all the Allies advanced steadily on the German lines. By Nov. 11, when the armistice was called, they had advanced to far enough to the east that they could sign the documents that ended the “war to end all wars” in a railway car in the Foret de Compiegn, 50 miles northeast of Paris. The following day, the sun shone down on a muddy landscape still lined with trenches, but silent.

A century later, at the stroke of 11 a.m. Eastern Standard Time on Broad Street Common in Claremont, New Hampshire, Michael Richmond, the adjutant of American Legion Post #29, began to read his address to the crowd of 50 to 60 people. The sun was shining, but the wind was bitter and cold. Richmond reminded his audience of the centenary of the end of World War I and of President Eisenhower’s decision to change Armistice Day to Veterans’ Day in order to commemorate the American military personnel who had fought in all wars. The adjutant noted that history has shown that world War I was not the end of all wars. “Since then Americans have been called upon to serve,” he said, “and they still serve.”

He asked the assembly to “uncover,” and as they removed their hats in the icy wind, two members of Rolling Thunder New Hampshire Chapter 2 approached an empty chair set before the war memorial. It was there to symbolize all the servicemen that were still listed as prisoners of war and missing in action. The Rolling Thunder members, veterans of the Vietnam War, stretched a black POW/MIA T-shirt over the back of the chair.

“They were ordinary people,” said American Legion Post Commander Moe Ferland of those who had fought in foreign wars, “until they heeded the call of duty and left their lives and their families behind.” Ferland said that the war on terror since 2001 “has helped us realize how unique our way of life is and that everyone has a role in protecting our way of life.” To preserve our freedom, he urged people to vote, to speak out against injustice, and to volunteer. He called the holiday an occasion for all Americans to remember why veterans fought.

Lois and Andy Buchan of Charlestown played “The Battle Hymn of the Republic” on the fife and drum before Denis Desilets, president of Rolling Thunder NH Chapter 2, came to the podium. Desilets, a Marine who fought in Vietnam, asked the audience to remember those who are serving now and listed all the places around the globe were Americans are at war. He said 82,000 American servicemen are still unaccounted for and that only last week five had been returned to the United States.

Marsha Bailey, the service officer for the American Legion post, described the evolving role of women in the armed forces. In World War I, she said, they were only allowed to contribute as nurses and 400 died. Over the years women moved into service roles and eventually into combat. “Despite the limitations put on women in a male-dominated military,” the retired sergeant said, “they performed well.”

Charlene Lovett, mayor of Claremont and a veteran, concluded the ceremony with an emotional address. She said it was hard to imagine what the battlefields must have looked like a century ago with trench warfare, mustard gas, miles of scorched earth, and millions killed and wounded. And in the age of the cell phone, it is difficult to remember how long a letter took to reach home from the front. Telegrams, however, came with then-frightening rapidity, bringing news of Claremont’s war dead. In only eight months, the city lost 21 men.

“There is nothing noble about the nature of war,” Lovett began, and then stopped to collect herself, the wind across the microphone making a low rumble through her silence. “What is noble is the willingness of men and women to serve … in spite of the risk.”

Richmond then invited everyone across the street to the American Legion for lunch where, he said, today veterans would be served first.