Remembering Army Sgt. Randy Scott Rosenberg ~ NH Hero

Remembering Army Sgt. Randy Scott Rosenberg – KIA on 1-24-04 in Khalidiyah, Iraq He was killed when a vehicle-based explosive device detonated near his military vehicle at a checkpoint. He was on his second tour of duty in the Middle East, following service in Kuwait. He was assigned to Company B, 1st Squadron, 9th Cavalry, Ft. Hood, TX.

Remembering Master Sgt Jared Van Aalst

Remembering Master Sgt Jared Van Aalst, KIA on August 4, 2006 during combat operations in Kunduz Province, Afghanistan. To remember is to honor.

Following is from his mother, Nancy:

Jared entered the world on September 1st, (Labor Day) 1975.It was a labor of love. He arrived weighing 10lbs 9ozs. He was my biggest baby! He has proven himself to be one of the biggest men I have ever known or will ever know.

Jared was a real active child. He spent his young years as one of the police officers on “Chips” that television show. He rode his tricycle like a mad man. As he grew, he became an avid skate boarder, hiker, dirt-biker, skier and everything else that was a challenge for him. He actually skied the head wall at Tuckerman’s Ravine. He spent a lot of time hiking the trails of Mount Washington. We referred to him as our Sherpa boy. I knew I was in trouble when he got this big off road dirt bike. When he was in high –school he got his Chevy S10 pickup stuck on a sand bar in the Pemi. river. He was able to round up some friends and get it out. He took it to the automotive dept at PHS and that truck still ran!! Prior to going into the army, Jared took an interest in sky diving.

During Jared’s time spent at PHS, he became friends with Eric Vanek. He began to focus on his studies, sports and more important things. Jared went on to become captain of his wrestling team and a shared captain of the football team. His grades greatly improved and he took some advanced courses and graduated with honors. Jared and Eric formed a great bond that stayed with them long after school was over. After graduation from high school, Jared wanted to go to Venezuela as an exchange student. He had taken four years of Spanish in school and wanted to experience the culture. He was there for ten months. It was a wonderful experience.

Upon Jared’s return to the U.S., he applied for and was accepted at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, New York. There he became involved in ROTC. After one year there, he decided he was going to become an Army Ranger. First he applied for and was accepted at West Point Academy. Due to the fact that a high school student-Doug DeCenzo had already been accepted from our Grafton County, Jared would have to wait a year. Well those of us that knew Jared knew he was not going to wait when he was on a mission. He enlisted as an Army grunt and fulfilled his dream. We had the honor to be at Hurley Hill when he graduated as a Ranger. His dad and I were able to pin his wings and Ranger tab. Our great sorrow was learning that Doug DeCenzo was killed by a car bomb in Iraq.

One last note. When Jared was killed, Eric Vanek came with the casualty assistance officer to inform us of Jared’s death. He is and always was one of the greatest blessings to Jared and our family. He was like a brother to Jared and we still think of him as family. He is a good NH boy and a proud member of the US Army. He spent several days with us and he was very comforting to us in our most extreme time of sorrow.

There is so much to say about Jared. He could sew, cook, and make lanyards for duck calls. He was an avid hunter, loved great wine, and had so many great friends. He was most generous to his family and friends.
He had met the love of his life, his widow Katie. She continues to respect his ideas and values. He left three beautiful children-Kaylie (9), Ava (3), and Hugh Jared, (1). He was a true warrior in every sense of the word. One of the best men I have ever known. He is a very highly decorated soldier and all of this information is available on line.

Thank you ever so much for honoring my son. Warm regards,

Nancy

Spc. David S. Stelmat 22 Mar 2008 ~ Iraq

Maryanne Rennell  with the Honor and Remember flag for her son, Spc. David S. Stelmat 22 Mar 2008 ~ Iraq

Presented April 27, 2014 NH Gold Star Mother Day

 

 

Remembering and honoring Sgt Angelo Lozada, Jr ~ NH Hero

Remembering and honoring Sgt Angelo Lozada, Jr. – KIA 4/16/2005 – Operation Iraqi Freedom. He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 17th Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Te4am, 2nd Infantry Division, Camp Hovey, Korea.

The last call from Angelo to his family was a happy one; he was headed home in 2 weeks. He wanted to surprise his mother for Mother’s Day and meet his first grandchild. He was killed in Ramadi, Iraq when his section’s M109 Paladin took a direct hit from a rocket while in the battery firing position.

Remembering Sgt Jeremiah Holmes ~ NH Hero

Remembering Sgt Jeremiah Holmes, the first New Hampshire National Guardsman killed in Ramadi, Iraq on 3-29-2004 when a bomb rocked the truck in which he was riding in a convoy.

He was a member of the Army National Guard 744th Transportation Company with headquarters in Hillsboro, N.H., and detachments in Claremont and Somersworth. His unit was deployed for training in late December, and sent to Iraq in February for 18 months.

During the departure ceremony two weeks before Christmas, Holmes’ wife, Kimberly, held their infant son, Kaleb. When asked how she felt about his deployment, she told the newspaper, “Not good. I feel bad for the baby.” Holmes and his wife had been selected by Foster’s Sunday Citizen for a series of stories showing how one family copes with a military deployment.

“I’m worried about losing my best friend and not being able to see the person I’ve spent every day with for a year and a half,” Kimberly Holmes told the Dover newspaper in January. The day before her husband’s death, she was in the process of setting up a second interview.

Holmes served on active duty from 1994 to 1999, when he joined the New Hampshire Guard.

“Jay was just a wonderful individual, a keeper,” said Patsy Koelker, a neighbor, using the name everyone knew him by. “He was kind and caring,” she said, and if there was an errand to be done, he was “at the head of the line.”

To Remember is to Honor….

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.

Marine PFC Matthew L. Bertolino Flag Presentation

 

 

Joyce Bertolino  and family with their Honor and Remember flag for her son, Marine PFC Matthew L. Bertolino.

Presented Nov. 11, 2013 by Gold Star Families Jim and Lynn Savage and Jean Durgin

 Marine PFC Matthew L. Bertolino – 09-February- 2006 – Afghanistan

Remembering LCpl Ryan McCaughn

Remembering LCpl Ryan McCaughn – KIA on 11/7/06 while conducting combat operations in Anbar Province, Iraq. Ryan, 19, was less than two months into his deployment.

Ryan was born in Jacksonville N.C., the home of Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune. He spent his early years in North Carolina and Missouri and ultimately settled in Manchester, New Hampshire. There he was raised by his mother Nicole and his stepfather Raymond. Even as a child, friends said that Ryan was clear in his military ambitions. Both of his parents were former servicemen; his mother served briefly in the U.S. Army and his father, Thomas McCaughn was a Marine. His older brother Chris served in the Air Force and his brother Sean Merlin served in the Navy.

Friends described Ryan as an irrepressible comedian who used to torment his school bus driver and sometimes splashed around in puddles just for laughs. He performed on stage with Maskers, his high-school drama club, and wasn’t afraid to dress up as a woman if the part demanded it.

As a high schooler, Ryan took culinary classes at the Manchester School of Technology. He and his friends, Kyle Schmidt and Greg Lake, talked of one day opening a restaurant and bar. Ryan, they said, was going to take business classes so he could be the manager.

Mostly, though, friends and relatives said Ryan spoke of joining the military and, later, becoming a police officer. He worked extra hard during his senior year to complete the requirements necessary for enrolling in the Marines, at one point taking three English classes in a single semester.

At 17, he asked his mother to help him sign up for duty. “He said he was going to sign up anyway when he was 18,” Schmidt said, “but he would feel better if it was with her consent.” He left for boot camp at Parris Island one week after graduating in June 2005 and was then stationed in Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.

Although he wasn’t allowed to divulge most details of his mission, friends and family members said they knew he was living in Ramadi, the southwestern point of the Sunni Triangle and that he patrolled the region with a grenade launcher and M16 rifle. “He said he needed to do this” his mother recalled. “He said if he could keep one dad from going to Iraq and he could take his place instead, then he’ll feel like he’s accomplished something.”

Ryan occasionally returned to Central High School after graduating. Once, he came to talk to students about life in the Marines. Later, he came as a recruiter.

Ryan is remembered fondly for his sense of humor and serious commitment to the Marines and to his country. His creative writing teacher in high school shared a poem that Ryan had written entitled “Solider”

Soldier

“Many soldiers have had to experience the ultimate Sacrifice”
“Even in death, a soldier will show Pride.
All you can do is hope that they finally found Peace.”

Fellow soldier and friend Cpt Brian Krenzeli was in boot camp with Ryan and “considered his a great friend. He was one the guys there that really made the time go by faster especially with his humor. I don’t thinks there was a single day we spent on Parris Island that he didn’t get me quarter decked for laughing. He was an outstanding Marine and a great friend and he will be missed.”

New Hampshire WWII Casualties

And when he gets to Heaven
To St. Peter he will tell:
‘One more Marine reporting, Sir — I’ve served my time in Hell.’

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