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Lebanon Honors Its Veterans
Lebanon Honors Its Veterans is dedicated to the sincere, heartfelt appreciation of all Lebanon veterans and their families for their service and sacrifice to enable their fellow residents and citizens to continue to enjoy life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
Soldiers Memorial Building
Built from 1886-1890 by Civil War Veterans as a memorial to their comrades and as a free public library. After the library moved to another building in 1909, the first floor was converted into a war museum. The building now serves as a memorial to veterans of all wars. The Memorial chamber, a consecrated chapel, contains marble tablets with the names of all Lebanon's Civil War Veterans.
The building appears to be the first of its use in New Hampshire. The architect was a local war veteran Ferdinand Davis. It is in Vernacular Queen Anne style.
City Receives Moose Plate Grant for Sculpture Renovation (December 2022)
The City of Lebanon has been awarded, by approval of the New Hampshire Executive Council, a Moose Plate Grant for $20,000 through the New Hampshire Division of Historical Resources to restore the sculptures (Civil War Soldier, Group of Riles above entryway, Cannonballs, Artillery Shells flanking walkway) located outside of the Soldiers Memorial Building. These grants are awarded for the preservation of publicly owned historic buildings and structures through the Conservation License Plate Grant Program.
According to Shelley Hadfield, City of Lebanon Grant Manager, “The goal is to restore the ‘look’ of the sculptures and their paint, and develop a long-term plan for their preservation.” The sculptures in front of the Soldiers Memorial Building were recently showcased in the Lebanon Times Holiday 2022 edition with an article written by City Historian, Nicole Ford Burley. In the article, Nicole states, “By the time Lebanon’s memorial was completed in 1890, ‘soldier at rest’-style statues could be ordered from the J.L. Mott Iron Works Catalog… the ‘bronzed’ statues were made of zinc, a much weaker material that made the sculptures liable to slumping and breakage.”
The total project cost is approximately $34,000. The grant brings us closer to reaching our goal but we are still seeking monetary donations to be able to complete the restoration work. For more information, please contact Associate Planner and Heritage Commission staff liaison, Rebecca Owens at 603-448-1524 or Rebecca.owens@lebanonnh.gov
Purple Heart Community
The Purple Heart is specifically a combat decoration and it is our nation's oldest military medal. It was created by General George Washington in 1782 and was known as the Badge of Military Merit. It was first awarded to three soldiers in Newburgh, New York. The Badge of Military Merit was made of cloth and it is the predecessor of the Purple Heart medal. The current Purple Heart medal was developed by General Douglas MacArthur in 1932. The new design was created by Miss Elisabeth Will, an Army heraldic specialist in the Office of the Quartermaster General.
The Purple Heart is awarded to members of the armed forces of the United States who are wounded by an instrument of war in the hands of the enemy and posthumously to the next of kin in the name of those who are killed in action or die of wounds received in action.
On Wednesday, July 20, 2022, Mayor Timothy J. McNamara read a Proclamation making the City of Lebanon a Purple Heart Community. Lebanon will recognize August 7 annually as Purple Heart Day.
A Purple Heart Community creates a tribute to the men and women who have been awarded the Purple Heart medal.
Lebanon Library Displays
Each year during Memorial Day and Veterans Day, the Lebanon Library hosts a display area honoring Veterans who have served in the United States Army, Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard.
If you have service photographs of friends or family you would like to share, please drop them off at the Lebanon Library, 9 East Park St., Lebanon. Please contact the Library at 603-448-2459 if you have questions or visit online at LebLibrary.com.
Veterans Resources
Information regarding an array of services available to Veterans, including medical care, social services, rental and utility assistance, emergency housing, and more.
Veterans Tax Credit
Credits ranging from $250 in taxes to a total exemption of taxes are available for those meeting the requirements as set by State law. The veteran must have been a NH resident for 1 year preceding April 1 of the tax year and owned the property on April 1.
- Basic: Veteran; Spouse; Widow (RSA 72:28) - $250
- Service-Connected Total & Permanent Disability (RSA 72:35) - $1,400
- Surviving Spouse: Spouse of any person who was killed or who died while on active duty in the armed forces of the U.S. (RSA 72:29-a) - $700
- Total Exemption: Must meet all requirements under RSA 72:36-a (Examples: double amputee, paraplegic, or blindness in both eyes as result of service connection and who owns a specially adapted homestead acquired with VA assistance.)
