Memorial Day is a day to reflect on the sacrifices of those who fought and died to safeguard the essential principles upon which our country was founded.

George Shannon is not unlike tens of thousands of other citizen-soldiers who left their home to fight for those principles but did not return. With 2025 marking the 250th anniversary of the onset of the American Revolution, the town of Canterbury will honor Shannon, one of its citizens and a neighbor had we lived in his time. He lived on the east end of Ayers Road with his wife, Mercy, and their 6-year-old son, John, when he left for Boston after the battles at Lexington and Concord. He was killed at the Battle of Bunker Hill on June 17, 1775.

This fall the citizens of Canterbury will place a memorial stone in the northeast corner of the Center Cemetery honoring George Shannon and those who fought for our country’s independence. It will be dedicated on Memorial Day 2025. The stone will be gray granite, 42″ high with an arched top, 18″ wide, 4″ deep.

We wish to express our appreciation to the twenty-seven town citizens, the Canterbury Historical Society and the Canterbury Cemetery Association who have to this date supported this project. We have not yet reached our goal of raising $2,500. Please consider making a contribution in your name or in honor of a family member or friend who served in the military. Here are two examples:

* In Memoriam: Francis Egan, Capt. USAF (KIA, 12/19/1972) 

* In honor of John Forbes, 1LT, USA (Vietnam, 1970-71)

Contributions can be sent to the Canterbury Cemetery Association, 34 Iris Lane, Loudon, NH 03307. Checks should be made payable to Canterbury Cemetery Association and “George Shannon” should be placed on the memo line. All contributors will be publicly acknowledged (unless otherwise requested) and contributions are tax deductible as allowed by law. If there are any questions, please contact John Goegel at jtgoegel@gmail.com.