Milton, Rochester celebrate the service of veterans

A large ROTC contingent from Spaulding High complements an impressive ceremony at the Rochester Commons on Monday to celebrate Veterans Day. (Harrison Thorp photos)

Veterans Days services in Rochester and Milton marked a day of appreciation and honor for the men and women of our nation’s military who served their country.

While Memorial Day is set aside to salute our war dead, Veterans Day is a time to honor and thank the Americans who served their country not only in wartime, but in peace, explained Ret. Army Col. Peter Hayward of Milton, who led Milton’s ceremony at Veterans Park.

“Some gave all, but all gave some,” Hayward said in reflecting the appreciation on all of the country’s servicemen.

A flag that flew in Afghanistan flies in Veterans Park in Milton on Monday. (Harrison Thorp photo)

The Milton ceremony marked the raising of an American flag that flew in Afghanistan as pilot Russell Appleton, a Milton native, sent the flag to the Milton VFW Post to keep. Appleton also served in Vietnam and dedicated the flag to his father, the late Ronald Appleton, a longtime Milton resident who served in World War II.

On hand for the Milton festivities were representatives from Milton VFW Post 8393, Milton American Legion Post 61 and the Union VFW Post 7663.

The main speaker was Robert Graham of the Milton VFW, who reminded the 100 or so civilians gathered at the event that while Memorial Day is more somber, Veterans Day is truly a celebration.

The flag that flew in Afghanistan will be kept at the VFW. Appleton, who now lives in Alabama, gave another flag that flew in Afghanistan to the Milton Legion.

A story that appeared in The Lebanon Voice on Sunday about how vandals destroyed a bench in Veterans Park has spawned a fund-raising drive to replace the bench. WMUR Channel 9 carried the story in its news broadcast on Monday night.

Donations can be mailed to: Milton VFW Post 8393 C/O Robert Graham P.O. Box 575 Milton NH 03851.

Please note on checks in the memo section “Bench Replacement”.

Meanwhile, in Rochester, several hundred assembled on the Rochester Commons to celebrate the day.

A large ROTC contingent from Spaulding High School complemented military organizations such as the AMVETS Post 1, The Veterans Council, The Rochester American Legion and The Rochester VFW among others.

The Officer of the Day, Al Benton, who served four years in the Air Force in Korea, read a proclamation from President Obama and then spoke of the sacrifice American’s military men and women have made through the generations.

After a wreath was laid at the foot of the War Memorial, echoing “Taps” followed soon after.