Remembering SGT William Tracy ~ NH Hero

Remembering SGT William Tracy – Killed on 2/25/03 in a UH-60 Black Hawk – crashed in a sandstorm during training in Kuwait.  He was assigned to B Company, 5th Battalion, 158^th Aviation, Aviano Air Base, Italy.

William graduated from Merrimack Valley High School in 1993 and spent one semester pursuing his love of art at a local school before enlisting in the Marines.  After four years, he returned home for a short time before joining the Army to fly helicopters.  He was a crew chief; he fixed the aircraft on the ground and helped pilots navigate in the air.  William was a soldier to the core, volunteering for every mission.  His deployments ranged from Atlas Drop, Tunisia; Flintlock, Mali, Strong Resolve, Norway; Lariat Response, Hungary; Victory Strike III, Poland; and Enduring Freedom, Kuwait.  He loved to travel and rarely stayed home on weekends.  He remained close to his family through e-mail and long telephone calls.  He loved meeting people from around the world and brought toys and gifts with him so they would think well of the United States and its soldiers.

May God be with his family and give them comfort and peace.  Never forget.

TO REMEMBER IS TO HONOR….

UPDATE: SB212 – relative to the Honor and Remember Flag as an official symbol to recognize and honor fallen members of the armed forces

Remembering PFC Eric Currier ~ NH Hero

Today we remember PFC Eric Currier – KIA on 2/17/10 in Afghanistan.  May God be with his family and friends, especially today.  Their lives have been changed forever – grief never goes away.  May you find comfort in memories that you have of Eric and all the time you spent with him.

Eris was an avid sportsman – which included bow hunting, archery, as well as several outdoor activities such as, hockey, snowboarding, wakebording, water skiing and fishing.  Eric was a mentor to all and best friend to everyone.  He was loved by all he met wearing his heart on his sleeve.  Helping people came easy to him. In 2009 Eric joined the Marines after seeing what happened on Sept. 11, 2001.  Eric knew what he had to do.  He earned the High Shooter Award for his Platoon and was a very Proud Marine.

 From Gram

I went to the beach walked down to the water in hopes to find you but you weren’t there I looked and looked But I couldn’t find you So I sat and prayed hoping you hear me I want you to know I love you and I miss you. My boy you will always be with us and because of you our lives were so much brighter you brought so much love and laughter to us. You make us so proud to be called Gram and Grandpa Rest in peace my boy. Love Gram

From his sister, Marlayna

I wish you & I could go fishing one more time, I remember complaining that the sun was too hot but damn I would battle a million suns to get those moments back. I would do anything just to see mom smile like she did when you were here, God didn’t realize that when he took you,

he took all of our hearts with him as well. You’re my best friend Eric, always. I will never forget you, & MANY years from now when I’m looking into the eyes of my children I will tell them about their wonderful uncle & how much they would have loved you. I would kill to have you here, I feel like every day just isn’t and never will be the same without you. I love you; I will see you on the other side… Bait those fishing poles & wax those snow boards; we have ALOT of catching up to do, & more to come. Rest in peace, ♥

From Bob Hamilton, Eric’s friend

Eric I went down to the pier in Holly Ridge where you and Kayla’s initials were carved in the wood. This is the third time I went and re-carved them so they won’t fade. I don’t want the memory of you to fade. You were one of the most honest trustworthy person to come into my life. When I got shot I thought about you. Why did I make it when I’m not that great of a guy but you don’t make it and your way better of a man than I was? I don’t want to talk bad about myself but in a way I wanted to be more like you. I visited LANDING ZONE CURRIER in Afghanistan. I stood where you stood when those nasty evil Taliban shot you. I stuck my hand in the sand and I just felt you. I know you’re in Heaven and you probably watched over me and that why I survived my gunshot wounds. I have been told over and over it’s a miracle that I’m alive. I just miss you man. Don’t worry I won’t let anyone forget about you. I promise.

TO REMEMBER IS TO HONOR….

Remembering PFC Matthew Bertolino ~ NH Hero

– Killed February 9, 2006 when the vehicle in which he was traveling in rolled over during a combat patrol near Jalalabad, Afghanistan. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force, Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii

Matthew’s favorite saying was – “Everyone is alive, but not everyone truly lives.”

Never Forget TO REMEMBER IS TO HONOR…

The following was shared by Joyce, his mom:
Matt was the third child of Joyce and Stanley Bertolino. He is survived by his two older sisters, Kristen and Kimberly.
He was mature far beyond his twenty years, yet still had a childlike innocence about him.
His smile could light up a room.
His laugh was contagious.
His hugs could take your breath away.

Matthew felt a deep calling to serve his country: he believed it to be his duty.
He wanted to make this a better world for everyone.
He was proud to be an American and equally proud to be a Marine.
Matthew wrote a letter to his sister from boot camp saying that, “he left a boy, became a man, and was returning a Marine.”
To Matt, it was a privilege and an honor to be a Marine.
He wanted to become a police officer in New Hampshire when his tour of duty was over. He felt that was a way he could continue to serve and help others. He once told his mother that it would be the perfect job for him.

A scholarship fund has been established in Matts honor at his high school, Pinkerton Academy, for seniors pursuing a career in the criminal justice field.

Matt’s family asks each year that the winners please take Matt along with them on their journey, because they are living his dream.

Matthew was extremely loving and generous. Friends and family knew that he could always be counted on when needed. His support and help to his mother, at an early age, was remarkable.
He always put others first, even taking his mother to a movie on Friday night rather than going with his friends because he knew she wanted to go.

Matt loved the outdoors. He had considered landscaping as a career for a while. His home has many gardens, rock walls and walkways that he created. Each one is a gorgeous gift. Family feels very close to Matt when outside.

His mother has created a Memorial Garden for Matt at their home. It is her sanctuary. Family and friends come to visit him there. The garden has been expanded to honor other New Hampshire soldiers that have fallen as well.

Carpentry was also something Matt enjoyed. His grandfather was a carpenter. They both loved creating with their hands. Matt briefly worked with a craftsman, learning the art of cabinet making. He designed and built new kitchen cabinets in his family home. He had them partially installed before leaving for boot camp.

Seeing all his beautiful craftsmanship around their home daily, keeps him close…

Matt’s jeep was another passion that he had. He worked two jobs to have it paid off before joining the Marines. Countless hours were spent taking it apart and fixing and improving things on it. He wanted to make it just perfect. He loved going for long rides with the top off, listening to his music. It was a great place for him to be. His mother has kept his jeep and drives it daily, taking Matt with her.

Matt loved sports. He was a Red Sox and Patriots fan. He played football with friends and wrestled for Pinkerton Academy.
He loved the snow: skiing, snowboarding, and snow shoeing were all favorite pastimes.

The last family trip was to the White Mountains to ski and snowshoe.

He would also golf and play paintball with his dad.

Several times a week he would be at the gym working out. He even put a weight lifting bench in his room at home. Being physically fit was very important to Matt.

Matthew wanted to see the world. He believed he would have that opportunity as a Marine.

He planned on getting a tattoo and wanted it to read “Everyone is alive, but not everyone truly lives.”

We wonder daily what great things he could have done if his earthly time had not have been cut so short.

Everyone that knew Matt was blessed. His presence alone was great. He is deeply missed.

Matthew was a gift. Every memory is cherished. Family asks that he NEVER be forgotten.

Remember his service and sacrifice.

Please remember MATT.

Remembering Navy SEAL Nate Hardy ~ NH Heroes

Remembering Navy SEAL Nate Hardy – KIA February 4, 2008 during Operation Iraqi Freedom against an al Qaeda suicide bomb cell.

The following is from his family:  “As early as 6^th grade, Nate wrote a paper about becoming a Navy SEAL.  Through his years on the soccer and lacrosse fields he discovered and developed the fierce competitiveness and team first mentality that would later serve him well on the road to achieving his goal.  In his senior year, he was selected by the New Hampshire soccer coaches to the all-state second team.  He was elected by his teammates as a co-captain of his high school Boys Lacrosse team.  In November 1997, five months after graduating, he enlisted in the United States Navy and began his SEAL journey.  It included graduation with BUD/S Class 221, 3 deployments with SEAL Team 8, completion of the eighteen month course in Arabic at the Defense Language Institute, successful screening and selection as the ‘number one draft choice” to the elite Naval Special Warfare Development Group (aka Seal Team 6), and a final deployment with DevGru KILO Team.

Nate’s military honors included selection as Distinguished Military Graduate from Quartermaster “A” School, selection as Honorman at tactical entry expert school, two Bronze Stars, Purple Heart, promotion to the rank of Chief Petty Officer and numerous other medals.  He seldom talked about his SEAL deployments.  He kept his first Bronze Star in a locker at his base and dismissively told his father “Dad, it’s not about the medals.  It’s about serving my country and the guys I work with”.

His life was fulfilled in his marriage to Mindi on June 4, 2005 and the birth of their son, Parker on July 16, 2007.

To Honor is to Remember