Five More to Be Honored on Day Filled with 'Sadness'

He never wanted it to happen. Not again.

Even though the three granite stones in front of American Legion Post 35 embody a moving symbol embraced by the community, Cmdr. Ralph Fatello hopes every year that he doesn't have to stand at a podium and reflect on another recently-lost New Hampshire life.

That he never again has to add a name to the 57 others already displayed with pride and tear-soaked gratitude.

The names of five service members killed as a result of combat and military service since the terrorism attacks on Sept. 11, 2001, will be added to Post 35's Global War on Terrorism Monument as part of the community's annual 9/11 remembrance ceremony at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 11.

While Fatello said it's regretful that names have to be added at all, he said the act of doing so does do a lot of good for an important group of people who feel the loss the most.

"Other than the sadness of adding five new names, it’s been good for the families, so that’s why we do it every year," said Fatello, who will step down as post commander at the end of May 2014 after 13 years, the longest tenure of any Post 35 commander. "That’s always a somber day for us, but it just – we’ve become so close to the families. After a while we become a family. It’s become a wonderful experience for the community."

Among the names to be added this year, which comes after a year in which no names were added to the monument, is that of U.S. Army Sgt. First Class Ryan Savard.

Fatello said Savard has an "amazing story," and his will be among the many shared on Sept. 11 as the Seacoast honors five people that meet the criteria — the individuals must have been born in New Hampshire, lived in New Hampshire or enlisted from the Granite State — to be added to the memorial.

"Hopefully we don’t find any more, [but if so their names will be added] because it’s significant for the families," said Fatello.