This Korean War Veteran from Berlin Went Above and Beyond to Create a Tribute Worthy of His Fellow Veterans

Maurice Mailhot, a decorated Korean War Veteran from Berlin and former Army Ranger with 5th Airborne Ranger Company, as well as a lifetime member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), returned home one day from a local VFW meeting with a big ask from his fellow members — lead and coordinate efforts to redesign Veterans Memorial Park in downtown Berlin.

Maurice agreed to this undertaking, and at the age of 90, Maurice picked up a shovel and began to dig.

Prior to Maurice’s efforts, the war memorials in the downtown Berlin park were scattered and in no particular order. To correct this, Maurice worked through northern New Hampshire’s grueling winter and into the spring to place each war memorial centrally and in chronological order in the park, creating a tribute worthy of New Hampshire’s veterans.

Maurice went even further to honor his fellow veterans by designing and donating a new signpost for the park. The new sign, made of solid, local granite, replaced an older, wooden sign that failed to reflect the reverence that each of the war memorials is intended to convey.

Maurice’s dedication and perseverance embody what it means to be a Granite Stater. Long after his brave service to our country, Maurice continues to serve his community and honor not only Berlin’s veterans, but the entire veteran community in New Hampshire.

I am grateful not only for Maurice’s service, but also for his dedication to his community, and I am honored to recognize him.

Do you know a Granite Stater who should be next month’s Granite Stater of the Month? Nominate them here.