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Hudson~Litchfield News


Hudson~Litchfield News Volume 21 Number 21 December 10, 2010 16 Pages We’re All God’s Angels by R. Rodgers As we look around the world, or even the


town, there are people who are blessed with so much more than ourselves, and there are people who have so much less. We tend to get lost in our own lives and forget to be grateful for the magical things in our life, such as a home, our family, and our health, and get lost in less important things like as fancy cars or lots of money. These are some very emotional and


challenging times for Mike, Julie, and Lillian Burns, as well as their entire family. Lillian was born just six months ago with a rare, terminal disease called Zellweger Syndrome. This is a DNA disturbance that only reacts when two adults have the DNA match to create a perfect angel of a child. Mike, Julie, and Lilly are spending the happiest, toughest, most incredible time of their lives, where every minute counts. Lillian Grace Burns was born on Memorial


Day, May 31, 2010, at Dartmouth Hospital in Lebanon, NH. Julie and Mike wanted to make sure that Lilly was in God’s arms from the first day and therefore decided to have her Baptized at the hospital. Julie and Mike, along with grandparents David and JoAnn Burns and Yvon and Gisele Lacass, as well as a handful of nurses, were there to witness this blessing. Holy Baptism holds the first place among the sacraments as being the door of the spiritual life. “God only gives special angels like this to exceptional people for a little while; those who can take care of them,” said JoAnn about her exceptional granddaughter, Lilly.


Mike Burns is a member of a large


“townie” family, the Tates. Lilly is the 20th great-grandchild for Alice and Rupert Tate,


Hudson Fire Chief Shawn Murray Publicly Undermines


Hudson Selectmen


by Doug Robinson It all started from a simple question. Selectman Roger Coutu asked of Hudson Fire Chief Shawn Murray at the November 9 budget discussion of the Fire Department’s 2012 proposed budget of $4,833,597 if he could cut $100,000 from his proposed budget.


Lillian, Mike, and Julie Burns


and all have grown with Hudson being their home. When Mike enters the room, everyone is drawn to him; big and small vie for his attention, but as of late, his attention is given mainly to his one little miracle, Lilly. Zellweger Syndrome – which


derives from abnormality in DNA sequences, damaging all organs – prevents Lilly from hearing or moving, and it is unknown yet if she can see. A big family victory for Lilly, Mike, and Julie is how they’ve taught Lilly to swallow by caressing her neck and loving her.


continued to page 7- Angel


Coutu asked, “I just got one question, Chief. You are the administrator of the department. We are in severe economic times and we are looking to make cuts. The police chief just suffered a cut, [and we have made] several other cuts in other departments. I respect your ability to run the department and if I were to say to you right now, I am willing to make a motion to propose cutting your administrative salaries, full-time, by $100,000, allowing you to pick and select and re-organize your administrative staff, what would be your reaction?” The selectmen’s actions would reduce the administrative line from $441,257 to $344,135. Chief Murray asked, “Is it a fair question?” to which Chairman Ken Massey stated that it was, and to which Selectman Shawn Jasper nodded his head. Chief Murray stated, “I


Lillian Grace Burns


think my response to you would understand that this question, without taking a real close look at it, you’ll see that there are a number of elements that can come into play here. Whether it is administrative staff or whether it is overall numbers, I have to take a look at what provides the greater benefit to the


Town of Litchfield Honors Pearl Harbor and All Servicemen, Veterans, and Those Who Sacrificed


by Doug Robinson The small corner room at the Litchfield Town Hall was filled with those who had a story to tell; stories of honor, remembrance, and of a time 70 years ago from those who were there. Those who told the stories bore the knowledge firsthand, and were fortunate to be “graced by the hand of god,” stated one veteran, to live to talk about it today.


Long-time Litchfield resident and leader of the Litchfield community, Pat Jewett, researched countless hours to respect those Litchfield residents who have served, and those who paid the ultimate price for our country. Her labors led her to learn that many Litchfield residents who have served have not been recognized. As a result of Jewett’s research and investigation, the Town of


Litchfield has had to create a second plaque honoring an additional 29 servicemen who lost their lives during World War II. “We remember a time of great evil; those who stood against evil


and whatever we cost, may we never forget our gratitude for their sacrifice,” began the prayer from Litchfield’s Presbyterian Church’s Minister, Steven Quinlan. Litchfield resident, Army veteran, and Hudson Police Officer, Charles Dyac, sang the opening song, “America the Beautiful.” All those present were offered to speak and talk about their experiences, thoughts, and memories of serving. “The lesson is that freedom is not free. Every generation must defend [our country], so we breathe free,” commented Litchfield


entire organization. Those administrative positions are command staff positions, which is responsible for the entire organization of 64. You have to weigh the benefits of – or the shortfalls of – losing that position where one of the command positions has an impact over 64 versus looking at the suppression side of it for one position. I know you want a


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Fire Chief Shawn Murray


definitive answer on the administrative side, but if you can understand what I am saying, it is a very difficult decision. What’s the better decision for the greater organization, which transmits to what best serves the citizens and has the greatest impact on the organization.”


Realizing that the Fire Chief had not answered his question, Selectman Coutu stated, “I will try to re-phrase it. If I were to make a motion to cut the administrative salaries’ full-time line, 101, by $100,000, and with your managerial experience and abilities, could you re- organize the administrative staff in order to achieve the kinds of supervision and maintain these kinds of


continued to page 7- Chief Undermines


Charles Small, 90; Candace Hale, 84; and Tom Carver, 86, unite to honor all servicemen, veterans, and those who sacrificed


resident Richard Lasalles. Litchfield’s Charles Small, (90), Candace Hale (84), and


Tom Carver (86), spoke of their personal experiences, too. “The government had their hands on me,” recalled Small of his time as a 17-year-old. “It was a shock to me [when Pearl Harbor was bombed]. The first year and half did not go well for us. I signed for the Navy.” Veterans took their time speaking of the Normandy


invasion, Omaha Beach, life aboard a submarine for 10 months at a time, dangers of participating in PT boat maneuvers, and marching through Normandy, Belgium, and onto Germany. Veterans spoke openly about their assignments as a navigator aboard a bomber, fulfilling their responsibility within the Army Signal Company as well having being wounded, yet not wounded enough to be sent home. You are called to “do your duty and to do what your country requires,” continued another veteran. “It was by the Grace of God,” commented one submarine


veteran of 10 years that we owe all veterans “our debt of gratitude.”


Plaques honoring those who paid the ultimate sacrifice


After a while you learn the subtle difference Between holding a hand and chaining the soul, And you learn that love doesn’t mean security, And you begin to learn that kisses aren’t contracts And presents aren’t promises. And you begin to accept your defeats With your head up and your eyes open With the grace of an adult, not the grief of a child.


And you learn to build all your roads On today, because tomorrow’s ground Is too uncertain. And futures have A way of falling down in mid-flight. After a while you learn that even sunshine burns if you get too much.


So you plant your own garden and decorate your own soul, Instead of waiting for someone to bring you flowers. And you learn that you really can endure That you really are strong, And you learn and learn. With every good-bye you learn.


OJar.com, Unknown


staff photos by Doug Robinson


courtesy photos


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