Today, remember the contributions of the brave New Hampshire patriots who fought to secure our freedom.

From former Rep. Paul Mirski:

The Battle of Bunker Hill, the first battle of the American Revolution, was fought on June 17, 1775. Those framing the roof of the Congregational Church in Jaffrey that day, could hear the ensuing cannon fire all the way from Boston.

John Stark arrived at Bunker Hill with a contingent of more than 1200 New Hampshire men – a contingent significantly larger than fighting contingents from any of the other New England colonies.  His heroism and especially his actions on the Beach that prevented the Brits from flanking the American position and allowing an orderly retreat saved our New England militias from destruction.

It was no accident that Stark had the largest force on the field that day. To understand the reason why men from NH were so energized to fight in this first battle of the Revolutionary War is to know that from the founding of our first colony on the Isles of Shoals, the ideals of personal freedom and liberty were deeply ingrained in the hearts and minds of those who settled here.

The simple reason why that Stark’s exploits at Bunker Hill, aren’t well know is because patriots leading the contingents from Massachusetts, Connecticut and Rhode Island that day had better publicists.

Two years later, Stark, and another contingent of New Hampshire men turned the tide of the Revolution at the Battle of Bennington, the key engagement that later prevented the British army from cutting the 13 colonies in half at Saratoga.

So, as you conduct today’s affairs today, please give some thought to General John Stark and the men from New Hampshire that fought in that famous battle on this date, 238 years ago.