Kenney helps Meredith Bay Village raise new flag on Veterans Day

MEREDITH — Executive Councilor Joe Kenney (R-Wakefield) spoke before a large crowd of residents of Meredith Bay Village on Veterans Day to dedicate an American flag and granite memorial at the site of a new flagpole.

Around 60 people packed the lawn of the retirement community to watch as U.S. Navy veteran Clifford Andresen and U.S. Army veteran Duncan Craig hoisted the star-spangled banner high above the ground to commemorate the Veterans Day holiday.

Andresen said it took several months to complete the project. Organizers had to ensure they wouldn’t interfere with any underground utilities and had to get permission to erect the pole through the town selectboard. Thanks to their efforts, Meredith Bay Village now proudly displays an American flag on a lawn nearest to the public roadway and at its base is a granite memorial inscribed with the words “dedicated to all veterans past, present and future.” 

“There’s so many people who have contributed to make this all possible,” Andresen said Monday afternoon. “It’s going to be real nice.”

The pole is located in a clear spot and near a streetlight so it’ll remain illuminated through the night. 

“Everybody that donated, God bless you,” Andresen said.

Kenney, who himself joined the U.S. Marine Corps in 1980 and served 37 years before retiring with the 25th Marine Regiment at Fort Devens, Massachusetts, told the crowd Veterans Day is cause for joy. 

“Today is really a day of celebration. 

“You think of Veterans Day and you think of all of the men and women who have served throughout history and you realize they’re the ones who defended your freedoms,” Kenney said. “Always remember the sacrifices made by the men and women protecting our country.”

Leanne Daigneau, 17, of Belmont led the crowd through a rendition of the national anthem during the ceremony.

In 2022, there were 88,297 veterans living in New Hampshire, about 8% of the population over 18 years old, according to U.S. census data. More than a third of New Hampshire veterans were over age 65, and veterans over 75 years old accounted for the state's largest proportion, comprising about one-fifth of the total. Just 2% of New Hampshire veterans were between the ages of 18 and 34.

New Hampshire veterans have attained degrees in higher education at higher rates than the general public. The percentage of veterans who have earned an associate’s degree or high or have completed some college, 33%, is about 6 points higher than their nonveteran peers. The percentage of veterans who had not completed high school or equivalent is also lower than the general public in New Hampshire.

Labor force participation among veterans, within the 35 to 54 years old age group, is high at 92.9%. The unemployment rate among veterans in that group was under 1%, lower than the unemployment rate among nonveterans at 1.6%. The labor participation rate among younger veterans, aged 18 to 34, is lower at 80.5%. Veterans between the ages of 55 and 64 were employed at 75.5%. 

Among all veterans in New Hampshire, one-fifth served during peacetime. The largest share of veterans who served during a war or conflict were those who served during the Vietnam War era at 49%. Veterans of the First Gulf War, also known as Desert Storm, accounted for 21% of New Hampshire veterans. Of all New Hampshire veterans, 7,117 served during more than one war era.