Christmas 2010

Christmas 2010
By Raymond Gagnon

Christmas in Claremont – it has a ring to it – don’t you think? As a now bona-fide senior citizen (I just turned 62), comes the luxury of becoming very nostalgic over the holiday. Some might say I am more familiar with nostalgia than reality – but that’s another story.

Of course everyone knows Christmas is better with children around. Last weekend we “did Christmas” a week early at the in-laws to accommodate multiple family schedules and of course the stars of the day were the two little girls of my nephew – Mikayla & Lacey. Their expanded eyes, giggles and sheer delight at getting to pass out and then open presents was truly invigorating, and got me to thinking about how many times this scene has been played out here and other towns around. More & more, I find myself looking at the holiday from a perspective that is a blend of six decades of Christmases – a composite blend of religious, family and secular traditions.

Claremont, for those of you unfamiliar with the community, is a small city in western NH that blossomed from around the Civil War to the mid 1970’s – it’s a Milltown. Although in Yankee northern New England – the community boasts an ethnically diverse history that included 19th century immigration from French Canada, Europe and other parts of the country. Consequently, growing up in the 1950’s, the town was vibrant and alive, it was normal to hear French, Polish, Italian, Russian as well as the occasional Finnish, and Norwegian spoken on the streets and shops of the town. What I think was most interesting about Claremont – was that the community was never large enough to foster ethnic enclaves, so we were all sort of thrown together into this multi-cultural toss-salad. And of course – the result was exposure to a spectrum of special foods and festivals, which fostered a better appreciation of differences – but that too is another story.

Christmas was one of those festivals which almost every group celebrated – and of course that included what seemed like weeks of preparation that only heightened expectations. For me – a French kid in Ward III – this would mean “Réveillon” - a feast which the purist would celebrate after midnight Mass, although among many who couldn’t stay awake for midnight Mass - it was a Christmas Eve feast with family and friends. Often this would mean going to different homes and partaking at each.

Central to Réveillon was this most special of delicacies – Memère’s Tourtière – sometimes called Tout-Kay, but regardless of how it is called, no more exquisite culinary delight exists. Historically – every family had its own recipe which would be protected and passed down through the generations. Consequently – there is no one correct filling – although for us, in Claremont, it usually consists of ground pork. Originally – back in ancient France – tourtière was the pie-pan name for the key ingredient – tourtes (a now extinct bird) – hence the name. Interestingly, this year represents the 20th year that my daughter and I have continued the tradition of making Tourtière using my mother’s recipe.

As a kid – Réveillon occurred after mid-night Mass and in addition to a feast – songs would be sung – tall tales would be told and gullible children like me would take it all in – truly delightful. And a week later, it would be repeated on New Year’s Eve – but last ‘til dawn.

Tied in with Réveillon was the whole anticipation of Christmas and in my case as we got closer to Dec 25 – where the air was crisp and days were short caused by the winter solstice – warmth would be felt from the salutation and wishing “Joyeux Noel” to family and friends. I don’t know why – but hearing Merry Christmas in French just seems to make it more comforting.

Unfortunately, one of the down sides of assimilation is each year represents fewer francophones so there are fewer and fewer spontaneous expressions of “Joyeux Noël” – thankfully, I can report the tradition continues (for another year). This week after a meeting at the Common Man, I stopped by the bar and struck up a conversation with a businessman named Jacques – who was here from Quebec – and OUI for another year I can say that Joyeux Noël was exchanged in Claremont. How fitting in an old mill in a historic mill yard where so many French-Canadians toiled to make a better life but to hear.
Joyeux Noël – et Bonne Heureuse Année et le paradis au fin de tes jours...

Veterans Day - 2010

Comments made at Veterans Day Ceremonies - 2010 - Claremont, NH

THANKS, SERVICE and SACRIFICE – those are the three words that immediately came to mind when I was asked to come and speak at Claremont’s Veteran’s Day Ceremony.
All Americans need to thank all veterans for their service – and especially remember their service was for the greater national good – the greater goal that all of us would be free. This automatically leads us to the third word – Sacrifice – for everyone who served sacrificed something for all of us – some paid the ultimate sacrifice which we are all grateful and should never forget.

Being a student of history – and a lifelong resident of Claremont, I got to thinking about those words – Service & Sacrifice … In a few short years, Claremont will be celebrating its’ 250th Anniversary – and I truly hope that the American Legion will play a key role in that celebration, for the accomplishments of veterans to this community are long and varied and certainly need to be highlighted. If we think about it – the History of Claremont is a microcosm of the Nation’s history – and the tradition of responding to the call by ordinary citizens goes back to the Revolutionary War. Let us not forget that “Tory Hole” near the Sugar River was a key drop off point for Tory sympathizers and spies – and it was local ordinary townsfolk who discovered and put a stop to its use. Also remember the involvement of men like Colonel Samuel Ashley who answered this country’s earliest call to service.

Jumping ahead – let us not forget this city’s answer to arms, during the Civil War, where Claremonter’s formed an entire company of the famed 5th NH Volunteers who fought at Fredericksburg and Gettysburg. Of the 122 men who formed that Claremont Company – only 11 or 12 were alive at the end of the Civil War. They understood Sacrifice…
Following the theme of Claremont and the nation’s history – let us not forget that the westward movement included Claremonter’s who founded the city of Claremont California and that Claremonter’s went on to serve in the Indian Campaigns as well as the Spanish American War – the bronze plaque in City Hall made from the Battleship Maine is testimony to that era.

The fact is that Claremont has always answered their Nation’s call – I remember as a small boy hearing my friend’s pepère and other old men talk of World War One and going off to France to “End the War to End all Wars….” Only to see their sons and grandsons called to action in World War II. I recall with wonderment – how returning vets from WWII – got to work and grew this city into a show piece for the State and Country. I grew up listening to my mother and relatives’ telling me stories of exploits by Claremonter’s who did not come home – but paid the ultimate sacrifice. I remember hearing how, in WW II; our National Guard Unit was called up and shipped out by train – and how the whole town went to the Junction to see them off. I also have touching memories, as that generation passes, seeing them in attendance at their buddies’ funerals for the “final send off”… these men grew up together – went off to war together and returned and built this town together.
Of course, it doesn’t stop there – Claremonter’s answered the call in Korea and their sons answered the call in Vietnam. Claremonter’s have always answered the call to Service and to Sacrifice.

Our local unit of the NH National Guard responded to the 1st Gulf War – and while they left in the darkness of night – hopefully everyone will remember their return in the bright light of day in Broad Street Park, across the street.
Claremonter’s are still responding today – in Iraq and Afghanistan… so let us continue to remember and let us not forget their Service and Sacrifice.

A couple of years ago, I chaired a subcommittee in Concord dealing with returning soldiers to NH with POST TRAUMATIC STRESS & TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY. The testimony was timely, informative and eye-opening. Due to this war’s reliance on calling up individuals based on specific skills sets, as well as full units, this often means that a lot of returning men and women are falling through the cracks and are not getting the services and help they need.

So as we remember this Veterans Day – let us realize that the young men and women responding to their nation’s call are in that long tradition of similar Claremonter’s – and that we owe them the support and care they need for their Service and their Sacrifice. A fact you need to remind political people like me every day.

Thank You,
Raymond Gagnon,
Representative – NH General Court
Claremont.