LAST WEEK, THE SCHOOLS AND OTHER ORGANIZATIONS DID A SUPERB JOB HONORING VETERANS ON THEIR DAY AND FOR THE MARINES ON THEIR 250TH BIRTHDAY!
Bernie Marvin
November 20, 2025
With the nation's veterans being saluted on their day, Veterans Day, the 11th of November, and, at the same time, with active and reserve Marines throughout the world celebrating their 250th birthday on November 10, it all reflected a long list of military programs held to salute the nation's fighting men and women.
Most schools and many organizations celebrated throughout the past week to honor the men and women who serve or have served the nation in peace and war. From pre-school to high school and beyond, the local schools offered a variety of thoughtful programs highlighting the services rendered by the United States' fighting forces, which have served throughout the world, carrying the country's banners in both peace and war.
Kicking off the commemorative programs among schools and organizations was the long-standing lunch and meeting session at the Orford Congregational Church on Friday, November 7, 2025.
The program highlighted the Veterans Day observance and a Remembrance of the late veteran John O'brien, who had produced programs for many years. John was popular in the area, and his program has been held each year in his absence.
Veterans and guests gathered in the church sanctuary in Orford to share their experiences while serving the nation. A superb Shepherd's Pie lunch followed, and the veterans' and guests' conversations continued until everyone had returned home. It was a typically pleasant and relaxing program, consistently receiving high marks from veterans.
Monday morning, November 10, broke cold and clear, with the sounds of young voices and an American Legion ceremonial color guard standing at attention to accompany the Haverhill Cooperative Middle School student body as they held their annual Veterans Day program beginning at 8:30 AM.
Just before noon on Monday, Piermont Village School students, parents, staff, and veterans were treated to a program of excellent music rendered by the Lyme Town Band under the creative direction of Band Director Mark Nelson.
Students, veterans, and visitors had a double treat: not only did they hear great music to accompany some of America's most patriotic lyrical songs, but the young students were also led in many songs by their music teacher, Nancy Wilson, who is also a member of the band.
How everyone loved that. The school gym was filled to overflowing, and after the completion of the Veterans Day music program, an excellent turkey lunch was served with all the fixings, marking the conclusion of another Piermont Village School Annual Veterans Day program.
That afternoon in Woodsville, veterans and guests gathered at Woodsville High School for their Veterans Day program, which included a group of veterans and the excellence of the Woodsville High School Band, directed by William Wright.
The band's music is wonderfully popular, and the patriotic songs were played with sensitivity, some zip, and with delightful harmony. The student body was immaculately dressed in dark and light colors, showing their respect for the visiting veterans, who noticed the efforts put forth by the entire school to offer something extra to visitors and veterans. It was deeply appreciated.
One of the highlights of the afternoon's program featured a pre-school child, accompanied by his dad, Woodsville High School Principal Hayden Coon, who had one of his young sons in hand during the program.
It seems that young Jacob Coon was the luckiest kid in school that day because he could be with his dad in his office and around school, plus attend the Veterans Day program and enjoy all the wonderful music and conversation going on that afternoon.
Additionally, young Mr. Coon was dressed to the nines, wearing a handsome tuxedo-style black jacket, matching black sneakers, with black trousers and an immaculate white shirt. Add to that his fine-looking earth-tone paisley bow tie, which captured the entire package of this young preschooler. Jacob Coon was looking all ready to slide onto the cover of National Geographic Little Kids Magazine.
Other programs were held at various schools, featuring students singing, playing in a band, or performing solo instrument patriotic music, and sometimes, food was served. This writer had the opportunity to attend several programs this year, as in the past, and they offer a great variety of programming, with the theme of honoring veterans in the community.
Programs were also held at Woodsville Elementary School and Oxbow High School, with another meaningful program organized by staff member and veteran Barry Emerson, featuring the participation of Oxbow High School students, faculty, and the Student Council.
Programs were also held at the Blue Mountain School and the Warren Village School, as well as other schools in the area that sometimes issue invitations or notifications of their programs.
Although the weather for the annual Veterans Day Parade in Woodsville was blustery, members of the American Legion Ross-Woods Post 20 and the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5245 of North Haverhill turned out to march from Village Pizza down to the Memorial Park on Central Street for services there.
It seems that there are more patriotic feelings among the public, and I spoke with some of my veteran buddies, and they agree. I attended many of the Veterans Day programs this year, as I have in the past, and it is truly delightful to see the kids and teachers working so hard to make their small parts in the day's production a treasure for the children, teachers, and the watching public.
All the programs were superb, and the comments noted how talented the music departments are and how the kids really get into their various singing and reading parts. As far as band music, the Lyme Town Band played in Piermont, and they really put some zip and a downbeat feeling into those march numbers and other songs they played. Loud and right there! Superb.
At Woodsville High School, the school band rendered some magnificent music, keeping the nation's patriotic songs flowing with significant meaning. It was so well done that it evoked comments at both places where the music was played, and many of the songs moved people emotionally with their patriotic appeal and zest.
The veterans loved it all, and we thank you for these delightful programs.
Most schools and many organizations celebrated throughout the past week to honor the men and women who serve or have served the nation in peace and war. From pre-school to high school and beyond, the local schools offered a variety of thoughtful programs highlighting the services rendered by the United States' fighting forces, which have served throughout the world, carrying the country's banners in both peace and war.
Kicking off the commemorative programs among schools and organizations was the long-standing lunch and meeting session at the Orford Congregational Church on Friday, November 7, 2025.
The program highlighted the Veterans Day observance and a Remembrance of the late veteran John O'brien, who had produced programs for many years. John was popular in the area, and his program has been held each year in his absence.
Veterans and guests gathered in the church sanctuary in Orford to share their experiences while serving the nation. A superb Shepherd's Pie lunch followed, and the veterans' and guests' conversations continued until everyone had returned home. It was a typically pleasant and relaxing program, consistently receiving high marks from veterans.
Monday morning, November 10, broke cold and clear, with the sounds of young voices and an American Legion ceremonial color guard standing at attention to accompany the Haverhill Cooperative Middle School student body as they held their annual Veterans Day program beginning at 8:30 AM.
Just before noon on Monday, Piermont Village School students, parents, staff, and veterans were treated to a program of excellent music rendered by the Lyme Town Band under the creative direction of Band Director Mark Nelson.
Students, veterans, and visitors had a double treat: not only did they hear great music to accompany some of America's most patriotic lyrical songs, but the young students were also led in many songs by their music teacher, Nancy Wilson, who is also a member of the band.
How everyone loved that. The school gym was filled to overflowing, and after the completion of the Veterans Day music program, an excellent turkey lunch was served with all the fixings, marking the conclusion of another Piermont Village School Annual Veterans Day program.
That afternoon in Woodsville, veterans and guests gathered at Woodsville High School for their Veterans Day program, which included a group of veterans and the excellence of the Woodsville High School Band, directed by William Wright.
The band's music is wonderfully popular, and the patriotic songs were played with sensitivity, some zip, and with delightful harmony. The student body was immaculately dressed in dark and light colors, showing their respect for the visiting veterans, who noticed the efforts put forth by the entire school to offer something extra to visitors and veterans. It was deeply appreciated.
One of the highlights of the afternoon's program featured a pre-school child, accompanied by his dad, Woodsville High School Principal Hayden Coon, who had one of his young sons in hand during the program.
It seems that young Jacob Coon was the luckiest kid in school that day because he could be with his dad in his office and around school, plus attend the Veterans Day program and enjoy all the wonderful music and conversation going on that afternoon.
Additionally, young Mr. Coon was dressed to the nines, wearing a handsome tuxedo-style black jacket, matching black sneakers, with black trousers and an immaculate white shirt. Add to that his fine-looking earth-tone paisley bow tie, which captured the entire package of this young preschooler. Jacob Coon was looking all ready to slide onto the cover of National Geographic Little Kids Magazine.
Other programs were held at various schools, featuring students singing, playing in a band, or performing solo instrument patriotic music, and sometimes, food was served. This writer had the opportunity to attend several programs this year, as in the past, and they offer a great variety of programming, with the theme of honoring veterans in the community.
Programs were also held at Woodsville Elementary School and Oxbow High School, with another meaningful program organized by staff member and veteran Barry Emerson, featuring the participation of Oxbow High School students, faculty, and the Student Council.
Programs were also held at the Blue Mountain School and the Warren Village School, as well as other schools in the area that sometimes issue invitations or notifications of their programs.
Although the weather for the annual Veterans Day Parade in Woodsville was blustery, members of the American Legion Ross-Woods Post 20 and the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5245 of North Haverhill turned out to march from Village Pizza down to the Memorial Park on Central Street for services there.
It seems that there are more patriotic feelings among the public, and I spoke with some of my veteran buddies, and they agree. I attended many of the Veterans Day programs this year, as I have in the past, and it is truly delightful to see the kids and teachers working so hard to make their small parts in the day's production a treasure for the children, teachers, and the watching public.
All the programs were superb, and the comments noted how talented the music departments are and how the kids really get into their various singing and reading parts. As far as band music, the Lyme Town Band played in Piermont, and they really put some zip and a downbeat feeling into those march numbers and other songs they played. Loud and right there! Superb.
At Woodsville High School, the school band rendered some magnificent music, keeping the nation's patriotic songs flowing with significant meaning. It was so well done that it evoked comments at both places where the music was played, and many of the songs moved people emotionally with their patriotic appeal and zest.
The veterans loved it all, and we thank you for these delightful programs.
Getting introduced to members of the Post 5245 from North Haverhill during Veterans Day services at Woodsville High School (WHS) last week was Jacob Coon, preschool son of WHS Principal Hayden Coon, both standing at right. Awaiting the introduction are, left to right, John Page, Gary Hebert, Steve Wheeler and Larry Elliott. The Bridge Weekly/Bernie Marvin
Saluting our nation's flag during the National Anthem being played at the Woodsville High School Veterans Day program are veterans, left to right Larry Elliott, Steve Wheeler and Gary Hebert. The Bridge Weekly/Bernie Marvin
Lyme Band Director Mark Nelson, standing at right, directs a series of patriotic songs during a Veterans Day program held last week at the Piermont Village School. The Bridge Weekly/Bernie Marvin.
Voices of the Piermont Village School students sing patriotic songs under the direction of music teacher Nancy Wilson, at right, during last week's Veterans Day program at their school. The Bridge Weekly/Bernie Marvin.
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