Memorial Day Week: Recognizing the Sacrifices of our Fallen

On Monday morning, I walked through the New Hampshire State Veterans Cemetery in Boscawen. It was a very different experience than in years past.

In the early hours of the morning, I found the grounds were as beautifully groomed as always, but almost empty of visitors. It was quiet other than the patriotic pieces performed in bell arrangements. While I’m used to visiting the cemetery for ceremonies, I don’t often have the chance to walk the grounds and take a moment for personal reflection.

The New Hampshire State Veterans Cemetery.

As I walked by the perfectly maintained headstones, I thought about all of the brave Americans who have served our country valiantly and of their families who, of course, served alongside them. These people are truly the example of what it means to be an American — to be willing to give up your life for freedom and for those who you do not even know because they are part of this democracy too.

I was grateful to have the opportunity to speak to two Granite Staters this week about the deep importance of Memorial Day — Shawn Buck and Stephanie Ouellette (you can watch our full conversations here and here respectively).

Shawn Buck is now the Director of the New Hampshire State Veterans Cemetery after a distinguished career in the U.S. Army. He spoke to me about his work at the cemetery, and it was clear he took great pride in his staff, the grounds, and the special way in which they are able to memorialize those who have served our country.

His work makes a difference to people like Steph Ouellette, whose brother, Marine Corporal Mike Ouellette, is buried at the State Veterans Cemetery. As a Gold Star sister, Steph has done incredible work advocating on behalf of veterans, fallen service members, and their families, including leading the charge to have the Gold Star Memorial placed at the cemetery. On Wednesday, Steph spoke with me about her brother and how she continues to honor him more than a decade after his death.

Steph talked about the importance of both taking the time to mourn and celebrating the lives of those who were lost. And I hope that all of us will continue to find ways — even if virtually– to honor the service and sacrifice of the fallen, and their loved ones.

A plaque at the New Hampshire State Veterans Cemetery that reads, “Our flag does not fly because the wind moves it. If flies with the last breath of each soldier who died protecting it.”

For me, my visit to our State Veterans Cemetery and my conversations with both Shawn and Steph were restorative. I hope the thought and experience of Memorial Day can be that way for all of us.