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Monday, January 11, 2010

God Bless Our Military, Published in the Northern News, January 7, 2009 by Joe Getty

God Bless Our Military

Published in the Northern News, January 7, 2009
By Joe Getty

In mid-December, cars entering Manchester were greeted by a large plywood sign with the bold inscription: “GOD BLESS OUR MILITARY.” Lit with Christmas lights and flanked by American flags, the sign was positioned at a “can’t miss” location in the direct sight-line as drivers reached the top of the hill on Route 30 coming from the south.

Homeowner Ray Smith erected the sign on the second floor of the Main Street home that he purchased one year ago. Over the past 12 months, he has been clearing the debris from the yard of the neglected property and restoring the interior features of the approximately 200-year-old log house.

After erecting a flag-pole in a new heart-shaped garden, Smith felt it would be a fitting tribute to incorporate the “God Bless Our Military” sign as part of his holiday decorations. “You are here and I am here today because our military is fighting for freedom – and this has included the losses of loved ones in our local communities, such as Staff Sgt. Charles I. Cartwright of Union Bridge who was killed last November in Afganistan,” Smith said in an interview this week.

Smith has been amazed by the strong support he has received from the community. “People have dropped by and knocked on my door to shake my hand and express their thanks for the sign,” Smith said. He has also received numerous business cards and notes stuck in his door in appreciation of the sign.

In response, Smith has written a letter entitled “The meaning behind the sign” that urges people to take time during the holidays to thank veterans and current personnel of the military for their work in securing our freedom. Over 135 letters have been distributed to people who have stopped by and to neighbors in the community.

“Take a stand and be part of your land – it came with a price by someone’s life,” Smith writes in his letter. “Take a moment to bow your head and give thanks this holiday season – fly your flag and know you are on America’s side.”

Smith is proud of the military heritage of his family that includes his sister, Elizabeth A. Smith, who served 15 years in the Navy along with her husband Ronald Gust. In recent years, Smith’s brother-in-law, David Crickard, served in the Army and his cousin, Michael Carty, served in the Marines.

Manchester resident Jesse Crumbie said that he greatly appreciated the sign. Driving into town one evening, he and his wife noticed the sign for the first time and he said, “That’s all right!” Their grandson, Brian Crumbie, Jr., is currently serving in Iraq with the U.S. Army and is due to come home later this month.

The posting of the sign culminated a year’s worth of work by Smith in rehabilitating the house and grounds at 3011 Main Street. His lot and the adjoining lot at the intersection north of Beaver Street were the southernmost lots in Manchester when the town was initially laid out by Richard Richards.

These lots were originally purchased from Richards in 1804 by John Coler who is listed in the deed of transfer as a blacksmith. It is likely that Coler constructed the log house between 1804 and 1809 (the year when Coler died) and established a blacksmith shop at this location.

Smith has not found any remnants of the blacksmith shop but, while working on the new landscaping around the house, Smith has found military items including a button from a Civil War coat and a rifle bayonet.

In expressing his pride over the renovation of the house and the patriotism of his sign, Smith concluded, “I never in 100 years would have realized that people would be stopping by and supporting my sign – it means so much to those with family in the military.”