Snow doesn't deter crowd for parade, ceremonies in Meredith

MEREDITH — The frigid temperatures and snowflakes didn’t stop dozens of residents from honoring the men and women who fought for this nation’s freedom, during a parade and series of ceremonies on Tuesday for Veterans Day.

Those in attendance included local and state elected leaders, town residents, and veterans, such as David Ballentine, with his 5-year-old daughter Perna.

“I am a veteran, my mom’s a vet, my dad’s a vet, basically the whole family is,” said Ballentine, who was a Marine sergeant, serving from 2019 until last month.

Ballentine was stationed in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, as well as Okinawa, Japan, and said he takes pride in being a part of the armed forces.

“Heritage is big to me, and it is always awesome to honor those who went before me,” he said. “It really means a lot to me.”

About 50 people bundled up against the elements lined Plymouth Street as the procession made its way to a ceremony at the memorial in front of Meredith Public Library.

The honor guards of American Legion Post 33 and the Meredith Fire Department led a parade, which also included Scouts Troop 55 and several of the town’s fire apparatus.

American Legion Post 33 Commander Alan Wilson started the ceremony, saying Veterans Day is a time to pause and reflect on military personnel who have served this country. Freedom is not free, he said, and is secured and preserved by soldiers who answered the call of duty.

“Whether they served in times of war or peace, at home or abroad, our veterans have shown unwavering commitment to the ideal of liberty, democracy and service,” Wilson said.

Rev. Roger Brown, pastor of Calvary Bible Church, led an invocation, where he thanked the men and women who sacrificed their lives, time and energy, while being separated from family and friends. He led a prayer, saying people who have given their lives to service often still carry the wounds of war.

“Those wounds could be in mind, in spirit, or in body,” Brown said.

He prayed for soldiers who have touched people’s lives, as they continue to recover from difficulties related to sacrifices they made. Following the reciting of the Pledge of Allegiance, and the National Anthem sung by Alicia Turner, and Colleen Abbey read a poem describing the respect soldiers deserve.

“You gave your strength, your youth and your time,” Abbey read.

Rep. Matt Coker (R-Meredith) said what truly holds this country together are the men and women who have worn the uniform, as well as the people at home who supported them.

“To me, Veterans Day is about gratitude, and it is also about commitment,” Coker said. “The kind that endures sleepless nights, missed birthdays, long stretches. And about ordinary Americans who made an extraordinary commitment and answered an extraordinary call.”

Coker said it is important to think about what unites Americans, rather than what divides them.

“The truth is, when you raise your right hand to serve, it doesn’t matter who you voted for, where you came from or what you believe,” Coker said. “You become part of something bigger. You depend on the person next to you, and they depend on you. In that moment, America isn’t divided by labels. It is one flag, one team and one mission.”

Coker, a commercial airline pilot, recalled his time flying with troops to and from missions, saying the deployments were mostly quiet, but it was an honor to see them going to defend freedom. The energy on the airplane was something he will never forget, but he said bringing them home was the best part of all.

“It was one of the biggest honors I’ve ever had in my life,” Coker said.

Coker stressed never taking for granted what the U.S. military has done, and the freedom they secured.

Inter-Lakes High School 10th graders Aaron Smith and David Najem played “Taps,” as American Legion Post 33 Auxiliary Secretary and Treasurer Billie Jo Howe laid a wreath at the memorial, before the group moved to Hesky Park for the second ceremony of the morning.

It was held at the state’s original POW/MIA memorial in Hesky Park, where Howe led with a prayer, followed by Abbey reading “The Unknown Soldier.”

Selectboard member Jeanie Forrester spoke about how across the country, Americans were pausing for prayer in public ceremonies. She said military service demands a special kind of sacrifice, and soldiers serve where they are sent.

“Veterans Day reminds us that while our battlefields have changed dramatically over the years, the bravery needed to serve them has not,” Forrester said.

Selectboard Chair Mike Pelczar believes every day should be Veterans Day, saying it is rewarding to take the time to honor our military.

“Without them we would not have the nice life we are fortunate enough to take for granted,” Pelczar said. “These men and women put everything on the line to preserve our way of life.”

The memorial near Lake Winnipesaukee, which displays a rock engraved with “Let us not forget,” has been a spot where the Northeast POW/MIA Network has held a vigil every Thursday since 1989. Robert Weeks represented the organization, and said they will continue to meet there until all those missing in action are accounted for. He said currently there are 83,000 U.S. service members still unaccounted for, including 73,000 troops from World War II.

“As long as you say their name, they are not forgotten,” Weeks said.