The audience at the New Hampshire Veterans Home Wednesday celebrating Veterans Day. DAMIEN FISHER photo
By ZACH LAIRD, InDepthNH.org
TILTON — Gerard Jutras, a 99-year-old World War II veteran, had never before seen so many people in one space celebrating Veterans Day, a day that reminds him he’s glad he served his country when it needed him.
About 150 people joined him and other veterans at the New Hampshire Veterans Home, where they all crammed into the big auditorium to pay tribute to the Granite Staters who served in the military. He is the sole WWII veteran at the residence, and in May he’ll be celebrating his 100th birthday.
“I didn’t end up fighting, but I was going to go to the invasion of Japan. But I didn’t, so I stayed in the Atlantic where I got a lot of experience on an aircraft carrier. I was only 18, and I was 19 when I got out… I guess I got a lot out of it; it worked out pretty well for me. I had three uncles that were in the service, but they had a harder time than I did,” Jutras said.
Jutras is only one of about 40 WWII veterans in New Hampshire who are still alive, and he expressed the fear that within five years there might not be any others left. He continues to exercise and eat healthy. Jutras’ doctor recently told him he’s in good shape, the 99-year-old said.
Leonora Waydja is pictured celebrating Veterans Day Wednesday at the New Hampshire Veterans Home. DAMIEN FISHER photo
Jutras was moved by the show of support and gratitude on Wednesday.
“It’s very good, I never saw so many people that really appreciate us… This is a good place to be. Everything is pretty good.”
Vietnam veteran Ronald Scovil, who served in the army, said the holiday isn’t just about celebrating those who returned home, but also remembering those who didn’t.
“I’m thankful for all those that have survived and been able to come home, enjoy their lives with their families. But we also have to remember those that did not make it. And we definitely will never, never forget,” Scovil said.
For Ron Boyd, 50-year Navy veteran, the holiday brings a sense of gratitude for his life, and the facility where he lives.
“I still thank the good Lord for everything that’s happened,” Boyd said. “This [the New Hampshire Veterans Home] is certainly a blessing here. I’ve only been here two weeks, and I’m just blown away by it.”
Former Gov. John Lynch is pictured speaking to veterans at the New Hampshire Veterans Home on Veterans Day 2026. DAMIEN FISHER photo
Former Gov. of New Hampshire John Lynch told the audience there’s nothing more noble that someone can do in their life than to make a difference in the lives of others.
“We owe so much to our veterans,” Lynch said.
Secretary of State David M. Scanlan recalled his relationship with veterans like Harold Magoon and Alf Jacobson, who were legislators he worked with earlier in his career, and the impact they had on him.
Every year Jacobson would give a touching speech on the anniversary of the Battle of Iwo Jima, Scanlan said. When Jacobson finished his speech there wouldn’t be a single dry eye left in the room, Scanlan said.
“They stepped up even after their military service was complete. They chose to serve the state and country in different ways; I was very quick to recognize that, and it’s not something that I’ve forgotten over the years… It’s important that we recognize that because of your service, you are leaders. You are role models; people respect the sacrifices you have made in a job that you have all done,” Scanlan said.
Scanlan pointed to the recent general election on Nov. 3rd that ran smoothly, and said that part of what made it run smoothly was the help of local volunteers, many of whom are veterans.
“We owe the veterans a lot. They are protecting our fundamental rights, and to me, it’s about elections. You can’t get any more fundamental than that. From elections all other rights are derived,” Scanlan told InDepthNH.org after his speech.
State Archivist Ashley Miller said that without the faith of the Founding Fathers in what America could become — along with those willing to make extraordinary sacrifices to bring that vision to life — that we would not be here today.
Honoring those sacrifices is more than waving a flag once a year, Miller said.
“It requires a lasting commitment to those who served. It means ensuring that veterans receive the care, dignity, and respect that they have earned. It means listening to their stories, preserving their memories, supporting their families, and making certain that their contributions are never forgotten,” Miller said.