The Veterans of Foreign Wars in Merrimack held a ceremony Monday morning and added six names to its memorial wall. One of the names belonged to a field medic who was present at the legendary flag-raising of Iwo Jima.It was a windy, bright morning at Last Rest Cemetery in Merrimack as the color guard approached the veterans’ memorial at the center crossroad.
(Marching)
Following an opening prayer, Roland Roberge of the VFW spoke.
“We are gathered here today, at Last Rest Cemetery. We are here also, with the souls and spirits of our comrades to say thank you to the veterans that are here with us today, alive and kicking.”
After the ceremony, the group reconvened at the Merrimack VFW where six name plaques were added to its honor wall. Among those names was Phil “Doc” Peter. The Merrimack resident and world war two veteran passed away earlier this year. While the six servicemen famously raised the American flag during the battle of Iwo Jima, he was nearby tending to the wounded.
The other five names were
- Robert Picard –
- Gerard A. Gagnon –
- Raymond Williams –
- Nicolas Valade –
- Frederick R. Ruffell Jr. –
