Gilford School Memorial to Honor its Fallen Soldiers
Press Release from Gilford School District
As Veteran’s Day approaches, planning is underway to erect a memorial to Gilford High School graduates who have died while serving their country. The Gilford School Board decided to move forward with this idea as a way to honor Pfc. Nicholas Cournoyer from Gilmanton, a soldier in the 10th Mountain Division who died in May while serving his country in Iraq. He is the son of Denis and Lenda Cournoyer of Gilmanton.
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Gilford School Board members Margo Weeks and Kurt Webber are working with representatives of the Gilford High School Student Council to create a memorial stone which will be placed somewhere on the GHS campus to honor all GHS graduates who have died while on active duty and to honor their families. Local artist and GHS student Meghan Beinoras is working on some graphic designs for the black granite stone that the District has already purchased.
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Webber and Weeks will continue working with the Student Council to plan the dedication of the memorial around Veterans’ Day. Tentative plans involve a memorial ceremony on Thursday, November 9 with the GHS student body participating and a public dedication ceremony on Saturday, November 11 at 10 am, which is Veterans’ Day.
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Donations to cover the cost of the memorial engraving and the site preparation would be appreciated. Any additional monies collected would be used to start a memorial scholarship fund in Nicholas’ name, administered through the Lakes Region Scholarship Fund. Tax-deductible donations can be made to the Gilford School District and sent to the SAU 73 office, 47 Cherry Valley Road, Gilford.
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If anyone knows of a Gilford High School Graduate who died while on Active Duty, please contact the School District office at 527.9215 as soon as possible so their name can be included on the memorial.
