Eleven years of hard work and dedication by members of Mt. Livermore Grange 288 came to fruition on Veterans Day when the town's new honor roll was formally dedicated and accepted by the town. Among the crowd estimated by police to be more than 250 people were veterans of World War II, the Korean War, the Invasion of the Panama Canal and the Persian Gulf War.

The new honor roll lists the names of 391 residents who served in all wars from the Revolutionary War to the Persian Gulf War.

Spearheading the drive to raise funds for the memorial and researching the names were Grange members Ed Ford and his mother Pat Ford. They were assisted by Sherry Gould of Warner.

"We started in June of 1998 and have been going on ever since," said Ed Ford, adding that it couldn't have been finished without his mother's help.

"It's nice to have it done, they deserve it," Mrs. Ford said.

The Grange helped to raise funds for the project and when they fell short of their goal, they approached the town selectmen who named a committee to work with them. Town residents also appropriated money to build the honor roll.

Peter Webster, chairman of the Holderness Board of Selectmen, praised the Fords for their efforts.

"This is the result of 11 years of efforts by the Grange and the Fords," Webster said.

The chairman said the town received letters of praise from U.S. Sen. Judd Gregg and Congressmen Paul Hodes and Carol Shea-Porter.

Gregg in his letter praised all those who were called to serve their country. He said New Hampshire has a great history of people entering the service and the unveiling of the monument shows that the town will forever remember the sacrifices they made.

State Sen. Deb Reynolds of Plymouth represented Gov. John Lynch at the ceremony. Reynolds read a statement from Lynch which said, in part, "We will always remember the sacrifices they and their families made."

Reynolds presented the event organizer with a citation from the governor and a resolution from the state Senate.

Selectman Barbara Currier gave the history of honor rolls in town and thanked the Grange for having the foresight to undertake this project. She also acknowledged the work of Sherry Gould, who did extensive research to learn the names of every town resident who served in the Armed Forces.

"A grateful town says thank you," Currier said.

Also speaking during the ceremony was Lt. Col. William R. Paige, Joint Forces Headquarters Chaplain, New Hampshire National Guard. Executive Councilor Ray Burton attended but did not speak.

The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Cub Scout Pack Troop 57 of Ashland. The Star Spangled Banner was sung by Steve Raymond with Taps played by Michael Buttolph, both students at Plymouth Regional High School.

Funds for the original World War II Honor Roll, which fell into disrepair over the more than 50 years it stood in place, were raised by Albert and Alice McCormack, who had eight family members serve during the war. Several family attended Wednesday's ceremony.

Newell McCormack, who now lives in Gilford, praised the Fords and the town for their efforts to replace the old honor roll.

"This one is very impressive," he said.

The McCormack family now has the names of 11 family members on the honor roll.

At the conclusion of the ceremony Terry and Sue McCormack served light refreshments in the library which adjacent to the new memorial.

Gordon D. King Photo MEMBERS OF the Sixth New Hampshire Volunteer Infantry Company E re-enactors group of Peterborough and the honor guard from the Dupuis-Cross American Legion Post 15 of Ashland stand at attention during the dedication of the new Holderness Honor Roll which took place on Veterans Day, Wednesday. * Order a print of this photo