New Hampshire Lawmaker Wants To Protect War Memorials

The New Hampshire legislature, at least the House, wants to protect War Memorial; Al Baldasaro,
Republican from Londenberry chaired a committee that debated the measure on Tuesday.

The bill would have required War Memorials in Franconia Notch on the eastern shore of Profile Lake to not be disturbed, and maintained for visiting and viewing by the public. Some Veterans' have had
their ashes spread in the park. The House wanted to expand the protections to cover any memorials in the park.

The bill failed to pass, but could appear again in another bill.

The New Hampshire Senate budget calls for leasing of the Cannon Mountain ski area, some are
fearful that the memorials would eventually be under the control of a private operator and not
the state.

Senate negotiators promised to try to put the protections into the budget package. The said they
agree to the blanket protection of the park just because ashes are spread there.

"Ashes are everywhere," said Sen. Jack Barnes, R-Raymond.

Baldasaro said there are no guarantees the protections will survive the conference committee that
hammers out a compromise on the budget.

"We will go to battle," said Barnes.

This is a shame and a crime against Veterans, I wonder how Sen. Barnes would feel if his, or
a loved ones ashes were handled with such disdain and disrespect.

To utter such a phrase flies in the face of decency and respect. To even think of not protecting
War Memorials and veterans rights is beyond contempt.

As Cold War Veterans we understand and are proud to stand beside our brothers and sisters-in-arms
no matter where or when they are attacked.

All New Hampshire residents should contact the Senators and Representative immediately and protest
this underhanded and blatant attack on our heroes. Tell them these War Memorials and ashes must
be protected till the end of time.

Jerald Terwilliger
National Chairman
American Cold War Veterans
"We Remember"

---------------- "And so the greatest of American triumphs... became a peculiarly joyless victory. We had won the Cold War, but there would be no parades." -- Robert M. Gates, 1996