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 HelloReturn to index of stories... |
Hello. I'm Allison McNair. Welcome to NH Outlook. |
| Intro NH Vets Day Return to index of stories... |
Every year on November 11, veterans are honored at ceremonies around the country. Here in New Hampshire, observances were held all over the state. Videographer Jonathan Millman recorded some of the sights and sounds at one event at the state veteran's cemetery in Boscawen. |
| Intro Walk of History Return to index of stories... |
Monday's ceremony in Boscawen was just a few hundred yard away from the construction site of a new memorial for New Hampshire veterans. Richard Ager has more on the walk of history. |
| Walk of History Return to index of stories... |
Track: This peaceful corner of rural New Hampshire has become a final resting place for American soldiers, sailors and flyers who served their country around the globe but whose final desire was to come home to New Hampshire. Bite: NH Vet Cemetery tape 13:38 We ask our men and women to give their lives for our democratic principles and that doesn't come to conclusion until we've buried them appropriately with military honors. And being a military man for 35 years, I hope when my day comes that I will be able to be placed in a military cemetery and have appropriate honors. And I think that's what we look forward to. Track: Richard Ducey served in Vietnam and has been diagnosed with terminal cancer caused by Agent Orange. Bite: Richard Ducey tape 00:00;08 I've selected the NH Veterans Cemetery as my final resting place even though I was eligible to be buried at Arlington National Cemetery. I had at one time thought of doing that, but it was more important to me to be buried here. When I left to fight for my country, I had a sense not only of fighting for America in general - most of which I had never seen - but fighting for NH, for my community, for my neighborhood. That was about all the experience I'd had at 18 years old. But as I look back on it, it occurs to me that I'm very proud to live in NH. I've traveled all over the world but I always come back here. This is home. And it's the home of my family and I'd like to be there. Track: With 128,000 veterans, New Hampshire has one of the country's highest ratios of veterans to population. NH Vet Cemetery tape 46:59 Standup: Chief Warrant Officer Ernest Holm, a veteran of World War One and World War Two, was the first to be buried here at the cemetery in November, 1997. Since that time, more than 600 others have been interred here and the pace is expected to increase as the veterans population continues to age. By 2008, they expect more than one burial a day. Track: When Roger Desjardins took charge of the veterans cemetery last year, he found the cemetery rules had denied burial to a decorated veteran of World War Two - because he lived in Massachusetts while his grown children lived in New Hampshire. So Desjardins pushed hard to change that - and succeeded. Bite: NH Vet Cemetery tape 24;02 As a veteran of 31 years, it really bothered me that we had to say no to a veteran. It's not right. I believe that NH is really going to stand out because NH is the first state veterans cemetery in the east to allow out of state veterans to be buried in their cemetery. It's common in the west - but we're the first in the east. The Dept. of Veterans Affairs is very proud of us for doing that, and we're very proud of that as well. Track: Another point of pride is the Walk of History that will soon be constructed at the cemetery. It will feature 20 marble monuments to New Hampshire's military history from the first militia in 1680 to modern times. Soundup: Desert Storm tape 48:15 Homecoming Track: Most Americans can recall the homecoming of the troops who served in the Gulf War. The overwhelming speed of victory in that conflict seemed to ease the more painful memories of the Vietnam War. But as the veterans of the world wars and Korean war succumb to age, memories of those conflicts are fading. Film preserves images of the Spanish-American War a century ago - but earlier times are easily forgotten. The walk of history will educate visitors with information that can surprise, even about well-known historic events in nearby Boston. Bite: NH Vet Cemetery tape 26:23 A famous battle that took place there was the Battle of Bunker Hill as we know it today. The history shows that there were 1500 citizen soldiers that fought against 2500 of what was considered the best of the British army. The history also shows that 960 - about 2/3 of those 1500 - were NH citizen soldiers - who put down their plowshares to go defend what they felt was appropriate at that time. Track: For 320 years, New Hampshire's fighting men and women have served their country and state and many have paid the ultimate price. Richard Ducey tape 00;01:35 I have no regrets about that because, having survived Vietnam, I am so much luckier than the 57,000 who didn't. And having had 30 years before this terminal illness, I've had the opportunity to have a wife and a family and a career. I have no regrets whatsoever and my family is well aware of that. I don't think that I've done anything extraordinary at all. I think that I've just simply stepped forward as every American should be willing to do in order to perpetuate what we have, what we enjoy, and not take it for granted. Track: On these 100 acres in Boscawen, veterans receive their due; a final payment for their service. It is a place for the lessons of history. For NH Outlook, I'm Richard Ager. |
| Tag Walk of History Return to index of stories... |
Richard first brought us this story about a year ago. He says construction on the walk of history is now underway. |
| Intro Veteran Return to index of stories... |
Richard Ager brings us this next story too. It's about a soldier who, like millions of other Americans, served in World War Two. But this soldier had to wait more than half a century to get the recognition he was due for his service. |
| Veteran Honored Return to index of stories... |
Soundup: Camire tape 2 13;53:42 sound of rain - Camire home exteriors Soundup: Camire tape 2 13:35:45 "Would you like a cup of coffee?" "Sure." Track: Ed Camire was born in Newmarket and has lived here all 83 years of his life. Except, that is, for a period when he was half a world away, caught in the greatest war in history. Track: Ed got involved in the military long before World War Two. While still in high school, he volunteered for reserve training in civilian military training camps. In 1940, he decided to enlist. Bite: Camire tape 1 12:05:35 …and I had taken the test and so on, and I was waiting to be sworn in when the recruiting officer came down and told me that I would be going to Panama. And I didn't want to go to Panama. Because I hadn't heard good things about Panama, so I chickened out and went home. Matter of fact, I recall he was so upset, he made me pay $5 for the physical exam. Track: Camire's next enlistment was more lasting, and was even reported on by local papers. Camire tape 1 12:06:35 YOU ENDED UP IN THE SIGNAL CORPS. HOW DID THAT HAPPEN? Having been a ham radio operator since high school days, of course I was very interested in radio and I was a licensed operator and so forth, and that just fit the bill for people for the Signal Corps. Track: At first, Camire was in charge of a team that installed and maintained radio equipment at Westover Field, a military base in Massachusetts. On December 7th, 1941, he heard the news from Pearl Harbor. Photo #6: Westover crew at bottom of pole Bite: Camire tape 1 12:08:05 So as we drove into Westover Field that day, everybody is roaming around carrying guns - everything was armed so we knew something had happened. Then we discovered of course what had actually happened. Bite: Camire tape 1 12:08:42 WHAT WERE YOUR THOUGHTS? My thought was, well, we're in for it now. And everything changed. My life in the army changed. Track: Camire went to officer training school and graduated. Bite: Camire tape 1 12:09:34 I got orders to report to the Pentagon - the war plans division. I had no idea what that was all about. As it turned out, they were organizing communications teams and I was to be the commanding officer of one of them. Track: After 5 months training, Camire and his Signal Corps team went halfway around the world, ending up in New Guinea where the Japanese forces had just retreated after ferocious fighting. Bite: Camire tape 1 12:12:10 Dead Japanese were still lying all over the place, and the Americans were in the process of cleaning that up but it was not cleaned at all when I first arrived there. But we got so we didn't pay much attention to that - we had our own problems to consider. Track: Camire worked at building and maintaining towers for radio communications back to Australia - which were frequent targets for the Japanese. Bite: Camire tape 1 12:14:08 …and at nighttime in particular, they would have bombing raids and the Japanese would bomb. You'd wake up in the middle of the night and hear these things and you'd jump out of your sack or wherever you were sleeping and look for a hole someplace. And one of the first things you did when you went to a new place was dig a hole - a place you could dive into to get away from the shrapnel. Bite: Camire tape 1 12:12:36 WERE YOU SIMPLY SO BUSY THAT YOU DIDN'T HAVE TIME TO WORRY ABOUT THE BIGGER QUESTION OF - ARE WE GOING TO MAKE IT OUT OF THIS? That's it exactly. That's it exactly. But I always kept a little bag packed up in case the Japanese overrun us. I would take off for the woods. But then it dawned on me that I wouldn't have lasted a day out in the jungle so it gave me a false sense of security. Track: In 1945, Camire received 30 days leave back home. Shortly after came victory in Europe, which meant those on leave were not sent back. He left the service in 1946, stayed in the reserves - and found a job - over the radio. Bite: Camire tape 2 12:48;26 I heard these two fellows chatting over the ham radio, and by listening to their conversation, I discovered that they were both employed by WHEB radio, and they invited me down to visit them. And some days later, I went down to WHEB and called on my friend Tony here and one thing led to another. Track: Tony Vaccaro hired Ed. They worked together at WHEB for a few years, and became best of friends for life. Bite: Camire tape 2 12:53:45 I was a ham operator - he also was - and we used to meet at these ham clubs and ham fests. So we kept in close touch, vacationed twice a year - never lost track of my friend here. And all that time, it was radio, radio, radio. Soundup: Camire tape 2 13:37:56 Nina gives him the cup of coffee and kisses him. "Oh my.' Track: And radio would literally provide Ed a family, beginning with his future father-in-law. Bite: Camire tape 2 12:57:30 He was also a ham radio operator and we talked together for years and I never got to meet them at all until 1946. And then one thing led to another and here we are, the daughter and I have been married for 53 years. Track: Nina and Ed took their honeymoon - taking in the sights of the Flume in northern New Hampshire. Bite: Camire tape 2 12:58:01 I thank god for her every day, every day. I was blessed to meet that woman. And I owe it all to ham radio. Track: Shortly after the war, Ed Camire learned he was eligible for several service medals and so he applied for them… Bite: Camire tape 1 12:21:47 And month after month after month went by with no - not hearing about them. And finally I said 'to heck with them, they can keep them.' I don't want them. Track: In August, 62 years after he enlisted, Ed Camire finally got his medals. Soundup: Smith/Vet tape 03:59:40 Smith comes to the home "They're really a great family." "Yes they are." "He's kind of shut in." Track: Sen. Bob Smith, a Vietnam veteran, presented them. Bite: Smith/Vet tape 03:50:36 "I'm not giving them to you, you earned them. I'm proud to present them to you on behalf of your service to your country in WW2 and your sacrifice… Track: The medals arrived because the local American Legion commander got through the red tape. Bite: Smith/Vet tape 03:51:10 …and the second one is the Asiatic pacific campaign medal for your service in New Guinea and Australia. Bite: Smith/Vet tape 03:51:31 The third one is the WW2 Victory Medal, because we were victorious. Thank goodness for that - or else we might have a different country than we have right now. Bite: Smith/Vet tape 03:53:42 **** There it is. So congratulations. Thank you very much." "Thank you very much senator." "Thank you for your service to your country." "It's a great honor." "It's an honor to present them to you." "Thank you" Bite: Camire tape 1 12:22:50 THAT DAY THAT SENATOR SMITH WAS HERE, WAS THAT AN IMPORTANT OCCASION FOR YOU? Yes it was, I really felt honored to have him come here for me - just an old worn-out first lieutenant - to have a senator come to your home to pin those medals on you. Track: Like Ed, Tony Vaccaro got a long overdue medal just two years ago, for his service in China during World War Two. His came from the Taiwanese ambassador. Bite: Camire tape 2 12;52:30 This medal here was issued by Chiang Kai-Shek - we were part of the Chinese-American composite wing - maybe 500 guys altogether Track: Both hold close their memories of their war service, and at least for Tony, there are fears that lessons he learned will be forgetten in confronting Iraq. Bite: Camire tape 2 12:55:44 You just cannot beat those people. They're in the hills, in the rocks, in the caves. Like the Japanese, you couldn't get them out of there. It's going to be a long, long war. Track: Ed's medal case holds three photos - his late brother, himself, and Tony - all together in an overdue place of honor. Bite: Camire tape 2 12:56:35 I think of Tony as the peak of authority. Whenever I need information on anything, he's the guy I go to. He's my source of information. And we've been close friends and my feeling toward Tony is the same as it was for my brother. I feel very close to him. He's a loyal and wonderful friend. It's an honor - thank you. Track: For NH Outlook, I'm Richard Ager. |
| Intro War Dogs Return to index of stories... |
When General Patton's troops hit the beaches of Sicily during World War II many had war dogs by their sides. Dogs have been used in conflicts ever since. Last June, in Barrington, these veterans were honored with the first war dog memorial to be built in New England. The American Legion Post 114 organized the event and helped raise the money for the monument. Phil Vaughn has the stories of several war dog handlers. |
| War Dogs Return to index of stories... |
Shots of John and Doug meeting Narration 1 - It's been 32 years since these guys have seen each other. They trained together and fought together in Vietnam. As young marines, John McCollett, Doug Boyd and Bill Barbeau worked as scout dog handlers. Bill 1-1038 "What do you have? This is a picture of me and my dog Colonel." John 4- 45 "Anytime I got into a firefight, Colonel would stay with me. I could turn him lose and he would stay right with me." Doug 1-1510 - "This is me at 19 - Irish should have gotten the Congressional Medal of Honor, he saved my life." Narration 2 - This reunion, for these Vietnam Vets has special significance. The American Legion in Barrington is planning to construct a war dog memorial. It will stand here at the Pine Grove cemetery in Barrington. John and the other dog handlers have been asked to participate. Clayton 6 - 710/350 "What we're trying to do here is recognize the dogs our forgotten heroes. Just during the Korean War, they estimate there were 65% fewer casualties because of the dogs. In Vietnam, they saved over 10,000 lives." Dissolve to film/photos Narration 3 - Dogs have been used in American conflicts for more than two centuries. From the American Revolution to the present day, they have fought loyally along side our troops. About 4,000 dogs went to Vietnam. They were trained for sentry duty - guarding airfields and personnel. Some dogs were used to track the enemy. And many were there as scout dogs. Bill 2-148 "Scout dogs would hunt people. They would use their sight, sound and smell - nothing would get by you." Narration 4 - Scout dogs were trained at Fort Benning in Georgia. That's where John, Bill and Doug trained, as well. Once in Vietnam, scout dog handlers were assigned to walk point - out in front of their units. The dogs would alert their handlers to North Vietnamese soldiers waiting in ambush. They were even able to detect fine trip wires that were used to detonate booby-traps. Bill 2-2:40 "They could see the wires, they could smell the scent and they could hear the wind blowing through the wires." Doug 5-1925/1649 "They would alert you. And if you ignored them, they would sit in front of you. If you tried to go around, they would move in front. It was one of those things that you had that confidence in your dog. If I had to do it without my dog my life expectancy would be less than that of a machine-gunner when contact was made." Bill 2- 1350 - "The most important mission for us was if we took six men out then six men would come back. And my animal. When he was sick I was sick, when he ate, I ate, we were together all the time." Photo Narration 5 - This is Colonel. John spent his entire tour of duty, 13 month at his side. Vietnam was a strange and frightening place for the young New Englander. There were dangerous jungles, hidden enemy and plenty of death. But, there was also Colonel who helped John survive. John 3 - 24:14 "The element of surprise is what the dog eliminated. You would have a couple of seconds to get yourself ready." Narration 6 - Which is what happened at a place called C2. John 3 - 24:30 "We had been in our second day in, all of sudden my dog alerted. I looked up to see , I had kept my eyes on my dog , I was much more confident in my dog than myself, when I looked up I looked an MVA right in the eye, full helmet branches sticking out of his helmet, and he didn't think I saw him, and he put his head down and it was and L shaped ambush, I turned around and gave the signal for a break to the team, if I'm not mistaken there was 8 men on the team, and the team leader came up and asked me what was up and I said we had an ambush in front of us. He asked me what I wanted to do and I said, start throwing grenades, and smoke and what ever we had and let them have it, the first grenade we threw was gas, then we started throwing frags, and gunning them down and it turned out to be NVA soldiers, and a number of them, how many we don't know, they did confirm we killed 15." Bill 2- 1320 "There are a lot of guys who would have been dead if not for these dogs." John 2- 9:30 "When I was weary, he would come over as if he were slapping me on the back. He gave me a lot of strength. I thanked the Lord to have that dog because for the men who didn't, I can't imagine what it would have been like for them." Doug 5- 2525 "It was pretty easy to die there. Yes. The dog would give up its life for you. Without hesitation." Narration 7 - During his stay in Vietnam, Doug handled two dogs. Irish, his first was killed while saving him from an enemy attack. The second dog, Prince was given to another handler upon Doug's return home. Satan also continued to work with the Marines, following Bill's tour of duty. Colonel stayed behind - a thought that still haunts John. 3-2710/30:00 "I had to give him to another handler, I remember it very clearly, due to the fact that he was such a good dog, I was allowed to pick the handler that he went to, I remember it very clearly, handing the leash to him, turning around walking away from him, one of the hardest days of my life to walk away from that dog. I was so close to the dog, I was so endeared to him, if I think about him I can still feel him I can still smell him, but each time he would do something for me, or for us it made me closer, it made me appreciate him, made me thankful for the privilege of having a dog and someone so close to me, someone I could depend on, he was everything to me, he brought me home." Narration - Of the 4,000 dogs that served in Vietnam, about 300 died in combat. Most that did survive were euthanized and buried there. John 3- 29:25 "If he could have lived out his life I would have been happy - to know that he could die as someone's pet. But the gov't didn't see them that way, the gov't saw them as equipment and put him down. It was not a good thing, I miss him daily." Narration - For NH Outlook, I'm Phil Vaughn. |
| Tomorrow Return to index of stories... |
On the next New Hampshire Outlook - Showdown with Iraq. Now that inspections have begun, what's next? Is war inevitable? We'll hear from some National policy analysts. |
| Goodnight Return to index of stories... |
That's it for this edition of our program. For all of us here at New Hampshire Public Television, I'm Ally McNair. Thanks for joining us. We'll see you next time on New Hampshire Outlook. |
| founders Return to index of stories... |
Thanks to our founding sponsors who have provided major funding for the production of New Hampshire Outlook: New Hampshire Charitable Foundation Public Service of New Hampshire Alice J. Reen Charitable Trust Putnam Foundation Stratford Foundation |
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Tonight on New Hampshire Outlook. When reservists are deployed, Planning for the call up. Tonight at 10pm on New Hampshire Public Television. |
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For information on our program, and links to our guests and interviews, visit our web site at nhptv.org. You can see and hear streaming video of our broadcasts. We want to know what's on your mind. Join our discussion forum and tell us what you're thinking. If you have a story idea or comment on our program, click the feedback button. Or, call us at 800-639-2721. |
| Tag War Dogs Return to index of stories... |
Just to let you know- Officer Mansfield and K-9 Viktor recently qualified for the national K-9 competition- We wish them the best of luck. If you would like more information on the Working Dog Foundation you check out their website at workingdog-dot-org |
| Intro National Guard Return to index of stories... |
Now that the election has passed, the war against Iraq seems to be heating up. And that means some 3400 members of the New Hampshire National Guard could be called up to active duty. In fact about 50 national guard members already have been called up. That leaves about 3350 people whose lives could change drastically at a moments notice. Chip Neal visited with one of those people at the Air National Guard headquarters in Portsmouth. |
| key: War/Veterans Return to index of stories... |
NEW HAMPSHIRE OUTLOOK Air Date/Time: 11/11/02 22:00 HOST: Allison McNair Length: 28:01 minutes In this edition of New Hampshire Outlook, NHPTV's nightly news magazine, was a special veterans day program. Show lead off with Videographer Jonathan Millman recording some of the sights and sounds at one event at the state veteran's cemetery in Boscawen. PRODUCER/REPORTER: Jonathan Millman - videographer PARTICIPANTS: General John E. Blair\National Guard Robert Neville\American Legion |
| key: War/Veterans Return to index of stories... |
NEW HAMPSHIRE OUTLOOK Air Date/Time: 11/11/02 22:00 HOST: Allison McNair Length: 28:01 minutes In this edition of New Hampshire Outlook, NHPTV's nightly news magazine, was a special veterans day program. The Walk of History a new memorial for New Hampshire veterans at the state cemetary in Boscawen. PRODUCER/REPORTER: Richard Ager PARTICIPANTS: Gen. Joseph Simeone\NH Adjutant General Richard Ducey\NH Veteran Roger Desjardins\Cemetery Superintendent Lt. Col. Gary Cyr\NH Air National Guard |
| key: War/Veterans Return to index of stories... |
NEW HAMPSHIRE OUTLOOK Air Date/Time: 11/11/02 22:00 HOST: Allison McNair Length: 28:01 minutes In this edition of New Hampshire Outlook, NHPTV's nightly news magazine, was a special veterans day program. A soldier who served in World War Two but had to wait more than half a century to get the recognition he was due for his service. PRODUCER/REPORTER: Richard Ager PARTICIPANTS: Ed Camire\Veteran Tony Vaccaro\Veteran Sen. Bob Smith\R - New Hampshire |
| key: War/Veterans Return to index of stories... |
NEW HAMPSHIRE OUTLOOK Air Date/Time: 11/11/02 22:00 HOST: Allison McNair Length: 28:01 minutes In this edition of New Hampshire Outlook, NHPTV's nightly news magazine, was a special veterans day program. Phil Vaughn brings us the story of War Dogs and the memorial built to honor these forgottten heros. PRODUCER/REPORTER: Phil Vaughn PARTICIPANTS: John McCollett\War Dog Handler Cmndr Clayton Bousquin\American Legion 114 Bill Barbeau\War Dog Handler Doug Boyd\War Dog Handler |
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Tonight on New Hampshire Outlook. Join us tonight at 10:00 only on New Hampshire Outlook. |