American Legion Chaplain: 'I Call it Thank You Day'

A small group of about 100 residents joined members of the American Legion, the VFW Post 8641, Merrimack Police and Merrimack Boy Scouts for a short ceremony in the Last Rest Cemetery on Monday morning to honor the men and women who have served the country in the armed services.

"Today is a day of thanks," American Legion Chaplain Skitch Henderson said. "I don't call it 'Veterans Day,' I call it 'Thank You Day.' "

Henderson was among leaders of the local American Legion and VFW Posts to speak at the ceremony. 

American Legion Commander Sal Scali took the opportunity to tell a couple stories of how U.S. Veterans have used their own experiences to help civilians overcome obstacles, like talking with amputee victims of the Boston Marathon bombing. 

He also used the time to make a plea for civilians and veterans alike to reach out and help vets who may be suffering following deployment. Scali said in the United States at least a veteran a day is lost to suicide in large part due to post-traumatic stress disorder and feeling like they don't belong after having returned to civilian life.

A story in Monday's Nashua Telegraph addresses this problem, highlighting a New Hampshire program, Deployment Cycle Support – Care Coordination Program, which has been helping veterans receive the support they need for seven years. In that seven year period, the story says, there have been no veteran suicides in the state.

"Too many of our veterans today feel they don't belong, that they aren't part of society anymore," Henderson said during his own remarks. 

He, like Scali, implored veterans to be willing to ask for help, and for friends and family members of veterans who may be suffering to reach out and help them. 

"If you need help, get the help you can," Henderson said. "It's a phone call. You don't need to be embarrassed and I speak from experience."

Check out the slideshow above of photos from the Veterans Day ceremony and watch a clip of the Veterans Day procession by the The Merrimack VFW Honor Guard, Merrimack Police Color Guard and Merrimack Boy Scouts from Town Hall to Last Rest Cemetery.