Update: NH Pols honor vets

Politicians throughout New Hampshire took time on Memorial Day to honor local veterans.

Former congressman Jeb Bradley (R-Wolfeboro) spoke at the Milton Memorial Day event and attended the closing Ceremony for the Vietnam Memorial Moving Wall in Ossipee. Second Congressional District candidate Grant Bosse (R-Hillsboro) went to Pat's Peak in Henniker to participate in the Russell M. Durgin Memorial Road Race.

Gov. John Lynch (D-Hopkinton) dedicated a Newport bridge to Spc. Justin Rollins of Newport. Spc. Rollins was killed in Iraq last year.

U.S. Rep. Paul Hodes (D-Concord) also attended the Rollins bridge dedication and met with Chris Howe, who recently returned home from Walter Reed Veterans Hospital.

U.S. Rep. Carol Shea-Porter (D-Rochester) visted the VA center in Manchester and walked in the Manchester Memorial Day parade. She also visited various veteran clubs.

U.S. Sen. John Sununu (R-Waterville Valley) marched in the Lebanon parade and attended the rededication ceremony for the Soldiers' Memorial Building.

Lynch, Shea-Porter and Sununu also spoke at the Derry Memorial Day parade.

Sununu, Shea-Porter and Hodes visited the farewell ceremony for the 50 Marine reservists who are leaving for Iraq.

"Today, we honor the courage and sacrifice of the men and women of our armed forces who have answered the ultimate call of service to their country," former governor Jeanne Shaheen (D-Madbury) said in a statement. "Our history has been marked by the bravery of our soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines, and we are grateful for their strength, their dedication and their valor.  Our thoughts are with our servicemen and women serving far from home today and their families.  They represent the very best of America."

Memorial Day is a federal holiday established, in 1971, to honor service members who have died in war.