The Goffstown, NH monument to all the soldiers and sailors from all of America’s wars.

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My daughter and I went down to the Charlestown Navy Yard to see a few of the tall ships in town for Sail Boston. Late in the day we toured the U.S. Coast Guard Eagle.

USCG Barque Eagle in Charlestown Navy Yard

The ship is in active service, being used for a six week training cruise for Academy cadets after their freshman year.

USCG Eagle Rigging

One of the cadets on board mentioned that they had already had over 20,000 visitors that day alone.

The Coast Guard Eagle and the Boston skyline.

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Anyone who’s driven through Chelmsford, MA on Interstate 495 in the last few years has seen the flags across this bridge.

Zabierek Memorial Bridge over Interstate 495

I learned today that this bridge is dedicated to Lance Corporal Andrew J. Zabierek, who was killed in action in the Anbar province of Iraq May 21st 2004. A man named Jim Wareing erected this tribute, and has maintained it ever since.

LCpl Zabierek was Clemson University graduate when he enlisted after Sept. 11, 2001. He chose to pass up officers training to serve as an enlisted man first. He was given language training and was key to his platoon’s interaction with locals, including children. He was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart.

The Zabierek Memorial includes flags for all the branches of the military

In May of 2005 the bridge was officially dedicated to LCpl Zabierek. In 2007 the state removed the original memorial citing concerns about displays like this detaching for the bridges and causing accidents. The local state representative sorted out a compromise with the state and the memorial was replaced. It appears that the state will allow the memorial to remain as long as it’s well maintained.

Zabierek Memorial over 495

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