You would never know, but Durham resident Gerald L. Smith didn't have a left hand in 1944.
The injury was a result of his airplane being shot down over the Italian Alps when he served in World War II. Doctors were able to repair his hand and he returned to Durham to finish his degree.
Smith has welcomed veterans returning to Durham from many different wars over the years, including World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War. This Veteran's Day, he prepared for a new group of veterans returning from the Iraq War.
"[Veteran's Day] has changed a lot over the years, but it's always been a day of reflection for us," said Smith, who served as a professor at UNH for 3 years. Veteran's Day is unlike Memorial Day with its parades, fireworks and celebrations commemorating those who gave their lives. Veteran's Day, a day to honor the living who've served, is more subdued and focused on reflection.
The UNH ROTC program hosted Durham's Veteran's Day ceremony on Friday, Nov. 7. The main event of the day, which has taken place in Durham since 1996, was the Hall of Fame induction ceremony.
This year, the ROTC inducted three UNH alumni: Lieutenant Colonel Michael J. Burlage, an 83-year-old who served in World War II; Captain David L. Eastman, a 65-year-old who served in the Vietnam War; and Sergeant Frederick R. Kuehn, a 59-year-old who served in the Iraq War.
The veterans shared their stories during and after the ceremony. They said Veteran's Day has been a like a revolving door, changing as the nation passes through each war. This year, with another unpopular war bringing home new veterans, their reflections were focused less on which war they fought in and more on how all veterans have been honored over the years here at home.
To them it matters very much how they're perceived by their fellow Americans for all they've given for their country.
Burlage, who graduated from UNH in 1973, served in the Army Reserves around the time of the Vietnam War, but after the terrorists attacks in 2001, came out of retirement to serve as a military advisor in Iraq.
He said he came back to the United States from Iraq with other soldiers in 2006. As they stood in the airport in their full uniforms, holding their bags, people all around them were smiling and clapping for them. Burlage admitted many people even came over and thanked him repeatedly for his service.
"I think we're at a high point of recognition," said Burlage. "Vietnam vets are… finally receiving a lot more recognition and appreciation."
Eastman, who graduated from UNH in 1965, served as a pilot in Vietnam.
"There are distinct walls and gaps but a lot of that is pretty healed up by now," said Eastman, commenting on how veterans of different wars have been honored over the years.
He recalled a few years ago when he found out there were about 25 other Vietnam veterans living in his community. On one Veteran's Day, there were a bunch of "hippie girls" who cried to him and said, "You're a hero." Eastman and the other veterans thought it was strange and said they were shocked to realize they were getting recognition for their service, especially after so much time had passed.
Smith, who was admitted to the ROTC Hall of Fame in 1999, was teaching animal sciences at UNH when the Vietnam War ultimately became unpopular.
Just after the shootings at Kent State, the students of UNH decided to go on strike to demonstrate their political stances against the Vietnam War. While most professors cancelled their exams, Smith said he wouldn't. Despite many angry visits from his outraged students, Smith held firm.
"Some people take it for granted and do not know the cost of freedom," said Smith shaking his head as he recalled when the Vietnam veterans came back from the war. "They spit on them," he said.
When Smith attended UNH in 1941, every capable male student had to participate in ROTC for at least two years as part of the university's land grant agreement. He referred to his service as his "military obligation."
Eastman recalls a sense of military obligation growing up as well. When he was 5 years old, he remembers marching alongside the marching soldiers, mimicking them. People laughed at him and yelled, "Look at this kid over here."
"When you grew up, your baseball coaches, your teachers, even the women, had all served in WWII and the only people who didn't serve were those that were disabled," said Eastman. "Those guys in the Vietnam War didn't have any kind of political agenda. They were just trying to serve their country. That's why it was so sad how they were treated."
Kuehn, who graduated from UNH in 1949, made a point after his Army service in World War II to tell the audience of his speech that military men are searching for peace too.
All four of Kuehn's grandparents emigrated from Germany to America. While he was serving in Germany, the soldiers would attend church with the German civilians. However, when the church began to sing the hymns in German and the rest of the American soldiers sat mute in the pews, Kuehn stood up and began to sing along in German.
"That was my contribution to peace and reconciliation," said Kuehn.
The day of the ceremony, two ROTC students stood at attention with their eyes focused, alert under the American flag at Thompson Hall, where the ceremony took place.
"I enjoy it very much," said ROTC student Mercedes Wilkins, of the annual ceremony. "It can be really emotional and inspiring."
"We are fortunate here at the University of New Hampshire where we don't have to look very far for our heroes," said Lieutenant Colonial Paul L. Webber, UNH professor of military science.
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