Submitted by the New Hampshire Chapter

This spring, a granite bench bearing the New Hampshire Chapter’s name will be dedicated at the New Hampshire State Veterans Cemetery in Boscawen, adding MOAA to the many veterans’ organizations represented on the memorial walkway.

During a tour of the cemetery several years ago, chapter President Lt. Col. Laurance Miller, USAFR (Ret), and his spouse, Pat, along with Gail Joyce of national MOAA’s board of directors, noticed the chapter was not one of the veterans’ groups included on the walkway.

“It was rather embarrassing since we’ve been a MOAA chapter for about 43 years,” Miller said. “Our chapter decided to rectify the situation.”

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The chapter selected a bench as its memorial because “it allows the most exposure for emblems and wording. It was also the most economical,” Miller added.

The chapter ordered the bench from Rivet Funeral Home in Merrimack, which provided it at cost from their Vermont supplier.

Chapter members will provide any necessary upkeep as part of the agreement to place the bench in the cemetery.

Miller said the bench is designed to withstand the test of time, “blending seamlessly with the solemn atmosphere of this veteran cemetery.”

“This memorial bench offers families and visitors a quiet moment to connect with the memories of loved ones and pay homage to the lives they lived,” he said.