|
A Gathering Place for Veterans
and Their Families
 TheWright
Museum is a frequent
stop for veterans of all wars visiting New
Hampshire from all parts of the
country.
For the families of those who served in WWII,
a museum visit is particularly special. Children visiting with
their parents often note to our volunteers that the museum's
exhibitions bring back a flood of memories--many of which they
may never have previously shared.
“Dear Wright Museum” —
Correspondence from Our Visitors
In the
summer of 2007, WWII veteran Daniel Silve was treated to a
visit by his daughter and other family members. Below is a
brief note that we received from his family a few months
later:
Just wanted to let you know how much my dad, Daniel
P. Silva, enjoyed his visit to the museum
on June 27, 2007. He fought in the USMC 4th Marine Division in
the battles of Saipan, Rio Namur, and Iwo Jima during WWII. He
enjoyed talking to [museum volunteer] Dodie Stephens and
others there and sharing his stories of the war. He passed
away at home with his family around him on Sept
18th, 2007. We are so glad we had the chance to
visit the museum and share his memories with him. Please let
Dodie know how much it meant for him to be there and to let
you know how much we appreciated all your kindness to him and
our family.
Sincerely,
Joanne Foley, Pittsfield, N.H.
Union (N.H.) VFW Donates Memorial
to Wright Museum
The Veterans of Foreign Wars
Burroughs-Drew Post 7663 of Union is proud to announce that it
has recently donated a memorial plaque to be installed in the
Wright Museum’s Memorial Courtyard. The $100 donation helps
sustain education programs at the region’s premier museum
while creating a permanent memorial to the service of all
veterans.
“When
I brought this up to our membership recently, there was such
unanimous support,” said Union VFW Past Post Commander Lyman
Holmes. “The Wright Museum is a valuable
memorial to the efforts of all of our WWII
veterans.
Over
the years, approximately 1,000 individuals and organizations
have chosen to commemorate a beloved
veteran. Each plaque is a lasting monument to and
remembrance of the hundreds of ordinary Americans whose
extraordinary service allows us to enjoy the freedoms we have
today. To learn more about how you or your veterans' or service organization
can create a permanent memorial, please visit the "Buy-A-Brick" section of
the Wright Museum's membership page or simply download a
PDF
application.
 Veteran
Spotligt:
Rob Roy:Boy Scout on the Home
Front
Rob fondly
recalls his experiences as a youngster on the American
Home Front. He remembers going door-to-door as a Boy Scout
collecting scrap metal and saving bacon fat for use in
explosives manufacturing to take to the butcher in Arlington, Mass.
Rob, who
has been a volunteer tour guide since 1996, was born in
Cambridge,
Mass. and grew up in
Arlington
. He worked for
years at the local A&P (Atlantic & Pacific Tea Co.)
after school and weekends for 25 cents an hour. Rob
started at the bottom, stocking shelves, was promoted to the
produce department and eventually worked his way up to become
a cashier.
Rob graduated
from
Arlington
High
School
in 1948. In
1949 he enlisted in the Army and attended the
Signal
School at
Fort
Monmouth,
N.J.
He was
stationed at
Fort
Bragg
, N. C. when the
Korean War started. His unit, the 4th Signal Battalion,
was sent to
Korea
in August of
1950 to handle the communications for the 10th Corps. Rob
re-enlisted and was sent to
West
Germany
for three years. When
discharged, he had completed eight years of active duty. In
1959 he started work as a civilian with the National Security
Agency at
Fort
Meade,
Md.
He retired in 1985 after putting
in 25 years active
service.
Rob met
his wife Mary Ann of
Charlestown,
Mass.
and they were married
in December 1955. They have five children: four
daughters and a son. The
Roys retired to
New Hampshire in 1991, first settling in
Alton and then moving to their present
home in
Laconia
. Mary Ann Roy passed
away on July 20, 2007. The
Wright
Museum
family extends
its deepest wishes of condolence to Rob and his loved ones
during this difficult time.
One of their favorite
pastimes was square dancing and traveling across N.H. and
Mass. to enjoy an evening of dancing with their peers.
Rob's hobbies also include collecting military patches and
playing cards.
In 1996 while shopping in
Wolfeboro, Rob decided to visit the museum and “check out
what was behind the tank outside!” He liked what he saw and
has been a regular weekly volunteer on Thursday mornings ever
since. Rob especially enjoys talking to
students
and teachers visiting as part of a school
group. He also enjoys speaking
with veterans and hearing about their frontline
experiences.
Thank you, Rob,
for volunteering and helping the
Wright
Museum
educate our young people about the achievements of
the Greatest Generation!
|
