Manchester Police Officer and U.S. Army Veteran, Jamie Brand salutes as the colors pass by in the annual Queen City's Veteran's Day Parade on Saturday morning.
Manchester Police Officer and U.S. Army Veteran, Jamie Brand salutes as the colors pass by in the annual Queen City's Veteran's Day Parade on Saturday morning.
Manchester Police Officer and U.S. Army Veteran, Jamie Brand salutes as the colors pass by in the annual Queen City's Veteran's Day Parade on Saturday morning.
Manchester Police Officer and U.S. Army Veteran, Jamie Brand salutes as the colors pass by in the annual Queen City's Veteran's Day Parade on Saturday morning.
Watching the Veterans Day parade from the corner of Webster and Elm streets, Michael Hustead of Manchester, who served for 21 years in the U.S. Army, was muted by a swell of emotion. Memories were rushing back.
He thought of his friends and fellow soldiers who died in combat. He recalled what he learned as a cadet at West Point. Duty, honor, country. And the advice that carried him through battle: Always listen to your sergeants. And he remembered the names, faces and personalities he continues to miss today.
“His Class of 1966 lost the most classmates in Vietnam of any class” at the academy, said Nancy, his wife. Six of their family members served in the Army. Nancy’s father served in the Navy. It was a time for pride, for paying homage to duty, courage and resilience, and silently remembering service and sacrifice.
When asked to speak, Hustead blinked, shook his head and held his finger quietly to his lips.
Veterans Day is more than just a special event, or a calendar day to commemorate.
For veterans of all branches of military service and their families, the high school bands and Army and Navy Junior ROTC units, as well as Girl Scouts and civic groups who marched down Elm Street on Saturday, it was a communal day of remembrance, a time to show gratitude and respect.
Just before it was time to stand in formation, Tonykus Hebert, commanding officer of Manchester High School West’s Navy Junior ROTC unit, pondered Veterans Day. It’s a day to be celebrated, not just acknowledged. It’s a time to pause to honor those who have served, defended our country and put their lives on the line.
“They do it for the country and not for their own benefit, to protect the happiness of civilians,” he said.
Inspired by his great-grandfather, who served in the Army, and his uncle who was in the National Guard, Hebert hopes to join the armed forces after studying mechanical engineering in college.
“It’s the thought of being able to give back to the country ... The country could easily fall apart without the military to protect it. Being able to be that thing is an honor,” he said.
Luke Aleman, a sophomore and color guard captain for the NJROTC unit at Manchester West, thinks of his father who served as a Marine Corps infantry corporal during the Gulf War. Aleman plans to join the Navy.
“It’s a thing I feel I can go to to have a challenge that can help me become a better person and improve my abilities,” he said.
From his dad and JROTC, he said he learned “Respect. To respect people who are elderly, and people who are in higher positions. To stay disciplined. Self-discipline is important, whatever you do.”
Denise Dummont of Manchester, who emigrated from Brazil, watched her son march with his NJROTC unit.
“The class teaches him to be a patriot and to love our country and defend it against our enemies,” she said. “We have people abroad keeping us safe. At home I try to teach him the history of this country,” she said.
Denise Kramer, a campaign worker from Las Vegas who attended the parade, said she comes from a military family who taught her the “value of putting service over self.” Veterans Day, she said, is about honoring fellow Americans “who leave their lives, homes and families to defend our freedoms, knowing they may never return. If we send people to war, our government should be prepared to serve veterans in their later years with all the services necessary to achieve the quality of life they deserve.”
Brian Dugrenier of Nashua, dressed in a World War II uniform, served in the Army from 1981 to 1984 during the Cold War. His father served 39 years in the New Hampshire National Guard. His three uncles fought in World War II — two in Europe, one in the Pacific.
Last year, he wore a World War I army uniform to the parade.
“It’s a love of my country and respect for my forefathers who stood in line before me,” he said.
During his military service as a tank driver, Dugrenier said he acquired discipline, a sense of belonging, duty and respect, and a good work ethic. He learned how to be a team member, plus a lasting love for his country.
When he drove through towns in Germany and Belgium, people would come out “to cheer us on because we were there, keeping the Russians out,” he said. “It was the respect people had for us keeping them safe.”
“You need to honor our veterans,” Dugrenier said solemnly. “Some sacrificed more than others. We wanted to do it.”
Michael McKay of Hudson served in the U.S. Army Airborne Infantry for 38 years from 1985 to 2003, in Iraq and Afghanistan, in operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm.
It taught him lifelong discipline, respect and a sense of responsibility “to do more for our country and to have a love of country even if you don’t believe in the politics. Just serve.”
From the sidewalk, Manchester resident Ambiory Mejia watched the parade with his elementary school-age son.
“It’s important to recognize the people who fought for this country and freedom,” said Mejia, who was never in the armed forces. “I give a lot of credit to the people who do it for us. Whoever goes and does — that is brave, giving up their family and their life.”
