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ROCHESTER - Retired Brigadier General Don Bolduc will be the keynote speaker at this year's Memorial Day ceremony at the Common on May 27.
Along with the annual ceremony and parade, the Field of Honor will also return with its 550-flag tribute to those who served, many of whom made the ultimate sacrifice for our country.
The Field of Honor comprises 550 flags that will be arrayed at the Common, each one dedicated to an individual serviceman or woman.
The dazzling Patriotic display begins on May 25, a Saturday, and runs through the following Monday.
The chief organizer for the event is Jeanne Grover, president of Vouchers for Veterans, a program that gives 1,500 New Hampshire and Maine veterans the chance to get free fresh vegetables, fruits and other food at Farmers Market several times a year.
Grover said this year the name tags that identify the service member honored on a particular flag will also have the name of the person who sponsored the memorial.
As part of the tribute, each evening from May 25-28 a bugler will play "Taps" at the Common at 7 p.m., honoring the memory of all branches of the armed forces. Following "Taps" a bagpiper will play "Amazing Grace."
For those purchased multiple flags, they will be grouped within the display. Volunteers will be available between 9 a.m. and 7 p.m. on Saturday, Sunday, and Monday to assist in locating specific flags. Each flag will bear a laminated card featuring the name, rank, and branch of the Veteran. Those who died in action will be indicated by a black cross, with each card affixed to the pole with a yellow silk ribbon.
Following the weekend, participants have the option to keep their flag or donate it for future events. Flags can be mailed for a flat fee of $12 or collected in person on June 1 at the American Legion, 94 Eastern Ave., Rochester, NH 03867, from 2-4 p.m.
On May 27 the Rochester Memorial Day parade will culminate at the Field of Honor around 11:15 a.m., followed by a ceremony hosted by American Legion Post 7. The ceremony will feature the presentation of colors and the laying of wreaths for each branch of the military, followed by remarks by Bolduc.
Grover, founder of Vouchers for Veterans, expresses pride in bringing back this event for the fourth consecutive year.
"This deeply moving display is an enduring tribute that resonates in the hearts of all who witness it. It's a collaborative effort, requiring the dedication of 75-100 volunteers to bring to fruition," she said.
Board member Don Dupuis, a retired colonel, initiated the idea in 2020, along with his wife Patricia Turner-Dupuis, also a retired colonel, after receiving a flag in honor of their son Donald Turner, a dedicated Naval Aviator who died as a result of his his service. "Donnie," as remembered by his parents, pursued his dream of becoming a pilot, epitomizing valor through three operational combat tours.
Vouchers for Veterans, a 501(c)(3) all-volunteer-driven non-profit, provides $20 vouchers at participating farmers' markets up to 26 times a year, enabling veterans to access fresh, locally sourced food and fostering camaraderie. This initiative not only supports veterans but also benefits vendors and the community by reinvesting funds.
"Our mission revolves around reintegrating combat veterans into the community. We take immense pride in welcoming them back home, creating a space where they feel secure among peers and engage in cathartic conversations," Grover said.
The Field of Honor's net proceeds directly contribute to expanding outreach, enabling Vouchers for Veterans to serve more veterans and establish additional locations. The organization operates without federal or state funding, relying entirely on the generosity of individuals, businesses, community grants, and specially hosted events like the Field of Honor.
For more information about Vouchers for Veterans and the Field of Honor event, visit vouchersforveterans.org.
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