Honor, respect, remember are tour watchwords

Bob Hoitt spruces up driveway markers in advance of tonight's opening ceremony of the Indoor Cost of Freedom Tour at the Rochester American Legion. (Harrison Thorp photo)

ROCHESTER - Honor. Respect. Remember.

Those are some of the sentiments Bob Hoitt was feeling on Tuesday as he painted driveway markers red, white and blue at the Rochester American Legion in preparation for tonight’s opening ceremony for the Indoor Cost of Freedom Tribute.

When the Tribute tour arrives today at 3 p.m. a handful of expert assemblers and volunteers will piece together this huge and powerful mosaic that pays homage to America’s fighting men and women through the years, especially those who died in battle, as well as police, firefighters and those who died in 9/11 and the Fort Hood rampage of 2009.

“We’re looking to reach out to the entire community,” said American Legion Post #7 Commander Robert Talbot, “not only to our World War II, Korea and Vietnam veterans, but also to the younger generation in the ongoing War on Terror, which this tribute speaks to. It also takes into account our first responders.”

A portion of tour tribute

The Indoor Cost of Freedom Tour comprises a collage of memorials depicting the sacrifices of Americans for God and country from its painful birth in the War of Independence to the unpredictable vagaries of the War on Terror.

At the centerpiece is a half-size replica of the Vietnam Wall, 200 feet in length and six-feet tall at the apex.  A computer can help visitors locate names of fallen friends and comrades.

There are also Gold Dog Tags depicting all casualties since Vietnam; 9/11 and Fort Hood memorials, a Korean War Timeline, photos and battle maps; Police and Firefighters Tributes, Vietnam Remembered Art Display and our country’s Founding Documents.

The opening ceremony at the Rochester American Legion on Eastern Avenue begins at 7 p.m., and Talbot is hoping for a large crowd.

The ceremony will include the playing of the National Anthem by the Spaulding High School Band, the posting of colors to the accompaniment of the Hibernian Bagpipers and a rendition of taps by Gordon and Brenda Oliver.

Among speakers will be Sgt. First Class David Walker, a veteran of Vietnam, on the War on Terror; and Col. Michael W. Horne, the director of the New Hampshire State Veterans Cemetery.

During tonight’s opening, there will also be a short ceremony at the Legion Hall’s table remembering POW/MIAs, groups that may sadly fall out of consciousness of today’s youth.

The Indoor Cost of Freedom Tribute exhibit will be open to the public 24/7 from tonight at 7 until it packs up on Sunday at 3 p.m.

Volunteers from around the city, including police and firefighters, will help Legion officials with answering questions from and attending to visitors anytime day or night.

Volunteering is what it’s all about, said Hoitt, who has been a member of the Sons of the Legion for 28 years and is now its commander.

“It’s like we’re giving something back,” he said between strokes of his paint roller. “It’s like nothing else.”

Editor’s note: The Rochester American Legion is reaching out to area schools that may want to bring students to see this unique, one-of-a-kind tribute.

If school officials are interested in lining up a tour they should call the Legion immediately at 603-332-2024.

Any area school, whether in New Hampshire or Maine, is welcome to arrange a visit. Students can enter a contest and win prizes.