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Editorial
Moving experience
Looking out over the field behind Goffstown High
School on a drizzly, even chilly July evening, it is
clear the atmosphere has changed. What is usually a
sports field hosting competing high school athletes surrounded
by cheering spectators is transformed into a
somber place of contemplation. The hush is audible.
All evening, a steady stream of visitors arrive to see
the Vietnam Moving Wall, the half-size replica of the
memorial in Washington, D.C. Brought to Goffstown by
the work and donations of many, too many to begin to
name, the Moving Wall is more than a curiosity . more,
even, than a memorial to those who died in that war.
It is a point of connection - between the living and the
dead, between the past and the present, between those
who have made the ultimate sacrifice and those who
struggle to understand.
Veterans come to remember, and parents bring their
young children to show them that history is made up
not of events, but of people. Name after name is written
across the broad, black expanse of the wall, while
nearby, name after name is read from a book, quietly,
reverently, by volunteers working around the clock. In
this way, it is hoped, the dead do not remain faceless.
As their names are uttered, they rise up, just for an
instant, ghostly images no longer lost. These are men
and women who perhaps would be enjoying grandchildren
now, but instead, their legacy is white type on
black marble. As "Taps" is played at sunset, the mood is
complete.
The images retreat, the memory of visitors fade, but
only from clear view. The effect lingers in the hearts of
those who see.
(Editor's note: The Vietnam Moving Wall will remain
in Goffstown until the closing ceremony at 8 a.m.,
Saturday, July 16.)
Editorials published by Neighborhood News Inc.
are written by an editorial board. The board is composed
of Publisher and President Amy J. Vellucci, Executive Editor
Ginger Kozlowski and Managing Editor Christine Heiser.
Letters
NBCS's first School's Out Scramble tourney a scorcher
To the Editor:
At 8:30 a.m. on Sunday, June
26, with record temperatures
forecasted, 64 golfers took their
starting positions for the inaugural
School's Out Scramble.
Wearing their new School's
Out Scramble logo caps, the
golfers worked to stay cool even
before they reached their first
tee boxes.
Then laughter and taunting
filled the air as 16 teams of
reunited friends and families
began a fun day of golf - one
that promises to become a New
Boston tradition.
The New Boston Central
School PTA raised more than
$3,400 at this "scramble" event
that allowed even novice golfers
to make a fair contribution to
their team's success.
Armed with game cards that
granted "shot extenders" and
"mulligans," the determined
rivals played out 18 holes trying
to keep their scores low
as the temperatures soared to
an oppressive 96 degrees (with
humidity to match).
Top honors were awarded to:
First-place team - Jeff Pangburn,
Kim Johnson, Bill Barlow
and Ray Belanger; second-place
team - Mike McLane, Geoff
McIntosh, Jim Murray and Bob
Curran; third-place team - Jamie
Deans, Time Bishop, Byron
Brandes and Jeremy Andrews.
Closest to the pin - Jill Roeder
and Bob Morin.
Longest drive - Mary Ellen
St. Laurent and Jim Murray.
Victor of a challenging "Putt
Off," Rob Graybill won the
most valuable prize of the day
. a 14K gold, diamond and sapphire
ring donated by Powden's
Jewelry in Goffstown. Rob faced
tough competition from Ray
Belanger, Pat Nee, Bob Curran,
Mark Stephens and teammate
Jim Newsome, who all qualified
for round two by sinking very
lengthy putts.
Although no one took home
any of the four Hole-in-One
prizes offered by Dobles Chevrolet/
Buick/Hummer, Wendy
Chambers received honorable
mention for coming closest to
winning a new Buick LaCrosse.
The PTA also offered a "Vegas
Hole," with John Perritano and
James Newsome driving directly
to the green and walking away
with cash prizes.
At the 19th hole, the sundrenched
golfers were all
rewarded with a New Hampshire
Lottery Scratch Ticket, courtesy
of Dodge's Country Store, cool
beverages, a barbecue luncheon,
the opportunity to win 38 donated
raffle prizes and a shady tent
in which to relax.
The NBCS PTA would like to
extend a sincere thank you to all
of the very generous tournament
sponsors, prize donors and to
Stonebridge Country Club for
contributing to the success of
this new event.
Appreciation also goes out to
all the golfers that not only participated
in the event, but who
also made it so memorable!
And, of course, in New Boston
especially, no event would
be a success without its loyal
volunteers - you know who you
are!
Plans are already being made
for the second School's Out
Scramble - June 2006. You
won.t want to miss it!
Jillian Smith,
NBCS PTA
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