Roger Champagne always wanted his children to say thank you to a veteran and be appreciative of what they had given to their country.
A veteran of the Korean War, he taught his kids – Kelley, Jon and Chris – to be respectful of the service of people like his older sister and their aunt Gerry Schweigerdt. She served as a nurse in the U.S. Air Force from 1961 to 1964, attaining the rank of captain. She later served in the Air Force Reserves until 1966.
Both Roger and Gerry lived at the New Hampshire Veterans Home. Both passed away within days of each other earlier this month. Gerry, 93, died on March 5. Roger, 89, died on March 7.
They were laid to rest during a joint funeral service at the N.H. State Veterans Cemetery in Boscawen on Friday, honoring their service, dedication to family and deep roots in the state.
A double service at the veterans cemetery is rare, some said unheard of.
Coming back there meant a lot to Champagne’s youngest son, Christopher, who followed his dad’s service in the Navy. The cemetery was a special place for their dad, who visited often.
“I used to come here with my father, for the ceremonies that they have. And it was kind of something that we’d do,” Christopher Champagne said. “We’d be doing our own thing, and then we’d end up meeting here for Memorial Day and other services, and that, for me, is probably one of the most important things because it’s a recognition of the service of everybody.”
Roger Champagne was a veteran of the Korean War and was stationed on the aircraft carrier U.S.S. Philippine Sea CVA-47 for the duration of the war.
He married Nan Mallory in 1965, and they moved to Andover in 1970, into a farmhouse surrounded by hayfields where he kept a stable of snowmobiles, four-wheelers and dirt bikes, his family said.
More than anything, he loved reminiscing about “good times” with his family.
Roger Champagne and Gerry Schweigerdt were from a close family of seven children, and grew up at the base of the White Mountains in Lincoln.
Gerry had come to the veterans home in October. She had cancer, and the family knew she had only so much longer to live. Roger was trying to overcome his own health issues, and when his sister passed, the stress and grief factored into his death, his family said.
Gerry was the wife of a military officer who traveled the world, but she chose to come back home to New Hampshire in the late 1970s.
She was known for her humor, empathy, compassion and selfless love, his family said.
“My aunt was very family-driven, too,” Roger’s oldest child, Kelley Raymond, said. “She was the rock of the family. She went to all our events. She has everything on video, pictures, everything.”
In their memory, the family requested donations be made to the N.H. Veterans Home or any worthy veterans charity.