Hudson Litchfield News September 16, 2011


Dave Morin’s Address Bring Memorial to Completion.


To the 9/11 families, honorable guests, residents, visitors and emergency workers I welcome you all here today to share with us in the town of Hudson the dedication of this memorial to those who lost their lives on September 11,2001. The attacks on that day caught our nation off guard, placed fear into our countries citizens, altered the futures of our children, put our soldiers in harms way, and changed the landscape of our country. But the attacks also brought forward patriotism, unity, community, a new and stronger America.


In the span of 102 minutes taken from us were mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, husbands, wives, children and citizens from 57 countries. We in Hudson lost David Kovalcin, a husband, father, neighbor and friend. Three hundred forty-three fellow firefighters, 60 police officers and eight EMS personal made the ultimate sacrifice that day trying to rescue victims from the peril in New York. To the rescue workers in Arlington, Virginia, and Shanksville, Pennsylvania, who put their lives on the line to save other victims on that day … we thank them. Our armed forces have been sent to protect our freedoms and seek out those who look to again attack our homeland. These brave military personnel, day in and day out, put themselves in the face of danger. Six thousand one hundred nineteen soldiers have died since September 1I, 2001 protecting us from the murderous terrorists. David Kovalcin’s hometown honors him today along with the other victims of that September day. This site, we hope, will bring his family, the other families and anyone that visits a place to reflect, a place for hope, for faith, and a place that will allow them to, in some way, be close to their departed loved one. A place to remember the love and that life continues on but there is a place to have quiet solitude. The steel that rises above us all, although an inanimate object,


A special picture was sent to us by Rachel Graham, taken at the memorial dedication, which many refers to as God’s hand.


Governor and Dr. John Lynch, US Senator Jean Shaheen, US Senator Kelly Ayotte and US Congressman Charles Bass, during the national anthem


Governor Lynch demonstrates the custom walking stick that was presented to him by the 911 Committee for his support of Hudson’s Benson Park


has provoked an amazing and emotional response. I have had the honor of watching hundreds of people visit the steel. I have seen thousands of tears, hugs, and many hands touching the steel as words of prayer are whispered. I have seen expressions of empathy, joy, sorrow, awe, compassion, fascination and thankfulness. This memorial has allowed many of us to meet many of the families this tragedy has affected and to better understand their loss, their feelings, and to know the loved ones that perished. During these short visits into the lives of those lost, I have heard stories of sadness, some of humor, and some of defiance. Mrs. Esther Ross visited the memorial on September 10, she lost a cousin during the collapse of the World Trade Center. We talked about her cousin who ran a business in the tower. He moved into the building just after the 1993 bombing of the complex. His wife asked him not to move there and feared for him. His answer was I am not afraid and I will fight to the end. He died fighting to save his 68 employees who died with him that day. She then told me of a humorous family story of when she had to tell her 80 year old mother that her nephew had perished. Her mother in a nursing home and the family was very worried about how she would take the news. A doctor was brought in along with several nurses, a sedative was readied and a nurse lay in the bed of the mother to comfort her during the news. The bad news was broken, many tears were cried, long hugs were given, the nurses and doctors readied to provided any treatment needed. When the mother finally spoke her first words, “what is this going to do to the stocks,” the whole room burst out in laughter. There is also the soldier that came to the site. On his first visit, this honored ground became a place for his future, he proposed marriage to his girlfriend on a bended knee. His second visit he came to honor his fellow soldiers leaving their story for all to read. The ten year anniversary of September 11, is a day to remember, reflect and honor. As I watched a 9/11 special on Friday night, Channel 9 news interviewed Mrs. Kovalcin and one particular comment that hit me was she said this memorial is fun. later that night while in bed I thought about her comment and she was right. September 11th, will always remain a horrible tragedy to me, the town of Hudson, the United States and the world. But it has brought many together as a community to work and play as a team. We had fun building this memorial. On these grounds of remembrance there was laughter, there was community, there was brotherhood, and there was teamwork. There was the odd couple, AKA Selectman Coutu and Captain Hansen … sorry only a few of you will understand this. A job that would have taken a professional construction crew over a month to complete was completed in two weeks by a crew of highway workers, firefighters, committee members, town residents and a nursing student that rolled up their sleeves and went to work with a goal and we had fun. I would now like to tell you a little about the memorial. Steel - Tower 1, floor 23, center core Tower 2 - Built to remember the majestic Trade Center Towers Pentagon - Wall around


Elizabeth Kovalcin and her daughters leave the memorial after placing their stone at the base


the memorial Entrance - area where flight 77 crashed into the pentagon wall Grassy areas - In memory of the field that flight 93 crashed into in Shanksville, Pennsylvania Side walk - flight path of flight 93 Roses - are called remembrance


Our community of Hudson is the reason we are here today.


Without the support and donations of our town government, residents and business this fitting tribute would not have gotten off the ground. Also to ex-Selectman Ken Massey who over the last ten years made it his priority to hold a memorial service in Hudson each year. To the 9/11 Memorial Committee … they say a leader is only as good as his team. Your dedication, hard work and time have made this project something you should be proud of. To the members of the Highway Department and my fellow firefighters … your work in hot sun, heavy rain up to your ankles in mud, completed a feat that some said we could not complete and actually be standing here today. To the community of Hudson … thank you. To our families … we have missed many hours of time with


you, you have worked in the background; you have provided much support and were patient as we worked to complete this memorial, thank you. In closing, I ask you all to never forget what happened on September 11, 2001. Take pride in what we have accomplished as a nation and here in Hudson. On the 20th, 30th and 40th anniversary I ask the children here today to honor the victims and their families while on these cherished grounds so we will never forget!


Hudson’s Cherished Memorial Dedicated


by Len Lathrop The 2,500 people who gathered at Benson’s Park this past Sunday, September 11 must have been thinking about the weather: Crystal blue, cloudless skies, a slight breeze and temperatures in the low eighties. Exactly the way it was ten years ago when terrorists darkened the skies and thoughts of Americans and the world. A decade later the weather was the same, but the community came together to signify the end of grieving and dedicated Hudson’s 9/11 Memorial.


Citizens, firefighters, members of the armed forces, police and government officials were in attendance at the dedication ceremony. Honored speakers, including Governor John Lynch, and U.S. Senators Jean Shaheen and Kelly Ayotte, all offered their remembrance of the tragedy and how it has reshaped our nation. The Alvirne High School Marching Band and Honor Guard led the processional on to the site. Those in attendance silenced as the drums were heard, but could not be seen. Honored guests were seated and Reverend David Howe gave the Invocation.


One of the entrance stones, this one denotes those lost on 9/11


Selectman Coutu presented to


Governor Lynch a hand carved walking cane for his work in returning Benson’s to the Hudson citizens and a plaque to Fire Captain Dave Morin for his leadership in bringing the World Trade Center steel and establishing this outstanding memorial. Captain Morin spoke to the audience (see his remarks printed on this page), and then invited, in an honored Indian tradition, Elizabeth Kovalcin and her daughters to place a stone at the base of the monument. Honored guests and all in attendance were then invited to place a stone at the base and to touch the steel. The World Trade Center Artifact The steel is a 23-foot I-beam from Tower I on the World Trade Center.


It Alvirne Junior ROTC Cadets at parade rest during the service


is 56 by 12 inches wide and weighs 18,048 pounds. It arrived in Hudson on May 12 and has been displayed at several parades, official ceremonies, and special events throughout New Hampshire and Massachusetts before being set within the memorial site on September 2. The Design of the Memorial Representing Tower I of the World


Us Senator Kelly Ayotte touches the steel after adding her stone to the base.


Timeline memorials engraved for American Airline Pilot Mark Wilson unveils a walkway stone staff photo by Len Lathrop


the various occurrences on 9/11 were unveiled by people involved in 9/11 and the construction of this monument. A flag that had flown over our American troops in Afghanistan that was presented by Paul Moore, founder of MooreMart, and the official 9/11 flag, which was donated by Firefighter Martin Conlon, were raised. In addition to speeches from the honored guests, Hudson Selectman Chair Shawn Jasper spoke about understanding this event. Police Chief Jason Lavoie and Fire Chief Shawn Murray laid a wreath at the memorial as Bob Guessferd of the American Legion Band sounded “Taps.” A 21-gun salute was then given by the American Legion Firing Squad. Benson’s Committee Chairman Harry Schibanoff and 9/11 Committee member Roger Coutu spoke about the monument at Benson’s Park and the phenomenal asset that it is to the town.


Mr. and Mrs. Mike Roberts of BAE Systems of Hudson, NH lost three employees, unveiling one of the walkway markers.


911 Committee Member and Selectman Roger Coutu presents a plaque with the original steel beam marker to Captain David Morin


Dwayne Erickson, shows his flag which he has had since the tragedy to honor his neighbor, a flight attentdant killed on Flight 11


Trade Center in New York City, the honored 23 foot piece of steel stands erect in a symbolic remembrance of those we lost on the ground and for those who were aboard American Airline Flight 11 on September 11, 2001. Beside the steel stands a glass tower representing Tower II of the World Trade Center and those who were aboard United Airlines flight 175. The glass tower is a symbolic gesture demonstrating that even under great adversity the United States of America will always rise together as one, to protect her freedom. The outside perimeter pentagon shaped stone wall and the concrete walkway into the memorial represents the flight path of American Airline Flight 77 and honors those we lost as the airplane struck the U.S. Pentagon. The plush green space within the memorial represents the field where United Airlines Flight 93 crashed near Shanksville, PA, and honors the brave passengers who, it is believed, tried to regain control over the aircraft causing it to avoid the potential target of the United States Capital in Washington, DC.


Several stone markers along the memorial path tell the timeline and story of the tragic events of September 11, 2001.


Hudson Firefighters Sean Mamone, Dennis Haerinck, Bob Haggerty, and Dean Sulin raising the flags


Hudson Scout Leader Ben Dibble passes out flags to the children in attendance and explains how to salute during the anthem.


Hudson Fire Chief Shawn Murray and Hudson Police Chief Jason Lavoie place a wreath at the memorial


From the front page, Army Reservist Jeff Gagnon, who recently from Afganastian, salutes after laying a stone at the base of the Memorial.


Scan the QR code with


your smart phone or visit http://bit.ly/q4ZEjD


Hudson American Legion Honor Guard offers a 21 Gun Salute Retired Fire Chief Jerry Noah from Norfolk, Va. salutes


Regrettably, Kelly Crane Company of Hudson raised the beam for the memorial and was misidentified last week


staff photo by Aaron Shamshoyan


staff photo by Robin Hatch


courtesy photo by Rachel Graham


staff photo by Len Lathrop


courtesy photo by Christina Green


staff photo by Aaron Shamshoyan


staff photo by Len Lathrop staff photo by Len Lathrop courtesy photo by Christina Green


courtesy photo by Christina Green


staff photo by Len Lathrop


staff photo by Aaron Shamshoyan staff photo by Len Lathrop


staff photo by Aaron Shamshoyan


staff photo by Robin Hatch


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19