On Monday, Nov. 11, at 11 a.m., the Cathedral of the Pines honored those who have served on Veterans Day, including two veterans by name – World War II paratrooper Leslie Tallarico, who was the ceremony’s guest of honor, and Scott Fifield, a retired major who served in the Marine Corps and New Hampshire National Guard.

The day included patriotic songs sung by those who gathered, a reading of the poem “In Flanders Fields” by John McCrae, a moment of silence and a rifle salute and playing of “Taps” by the Rindge Veterans Association. The association also folded a flag to present to Tallarico as a gift.

Tallarico, who will celebrate his 100th birthday in January, served in the Army during World War II from 1945 to 1948. He was a member of the 11th Airborne Division, and his service included a year overseas in Japan. His main duties were in the maintenance department, but as a member of the Airborne Division, he was also required to make monthly parachute jumps.

Fifield, who was the keynote speaker, thanked all of the service members who attended Monday’s ceremony, saying they were members of an exclusive group.

“I want to thank those of you who have served in the military. For those who have served in the military, no matter which branch, this is our day. Less than 2% of the nation stood up, raised their hand and served for the liberty of the country and this great government of ours. It takes a special person to raise their hand, to swear that allegiance,” Fifield said.

Fifield spoke of the special bond that forms between those who serve, both those that serve together as “battle buddies” and the bond that can form between veterans after they come home, no matter where they served or in what branch.

“When we meet new veterans, we bond quickly with them, and gladly stand side-by-side with them, without any real knowledge of who they are. Once you have served in the uniform, you are a special group of people. It doesn’t matter what area you served, you’re part of that club. If you haven’t served, you wouldn’t understand,” Fifield said.

As part of his speech, Fifield drew attention to the high rates of suicide among veterans, and encouraged those who were struggling to seek help. According to the Department of Veterans Affairs 2023 National Suicide Prevention Annual Report, there were 6,392 veteran suicide deaths in 2021.

“There’s too many of our fellow veterans taking their lives on a daily basis,” Fifield said. “Don’t leave the status of being a veteran and join those who we memorialize on Memorial Day. I want you here, to be part of our lives. Things are always better on this side of the grass.”

He said it was important to remember that on Veterans Day, a day that is reserved for thanking those who are still alive.

“This is our day. We rejoice in living, in being here to tell our stories, in celebrating with our families our service, our lives, our sacrifices,” Fifield said. “We’ve served for the liberty of our country. We serve for our loved ones, our families, our friends, for people we don’t even know. We may never know some of them. We did not do it for glory. We did it for freedom. We did it because there’s only 2% of us in this nation that would do it.”

Ashley Saari can be reached at 603-924-7172, Ext. 244, or asaari@ledgertranscript.com. She’s on X @AshleySaariMLT.