Bernard Hughes

Long, long ago Bernard, Ronnie and Katy Hughes took the time to pose from their front yard, in Ashland, NH, for the kind folk in cyberspace. Of course, our dog Rusty had to ham it up.

About forty years ago I planted this tree at my home in Ashland, NH and its survival is something of a miracle. In its second winter my children clipped off the top with their sleds. Four years later we had a torrential rain and my neighbor, an oil dealer had his parking area uphill from my yard. The rain brought his oily driveway residue into the base of my tree, so I had to dig it up, clean off the roots and set it in a brook that runs through my property. After a week or so I replanted it. Some years later we had another deluge and the tree was underwater for two days. About twenty-five years ago our home burnt down and the tree received damage on one side. We then moved to our present home, about six miles away and as I was landscaping I decided to rescue my poor tree. I planted it in my front yard but the first winter my snowplow-man was about to plow snow onto it. I caught him just in time. Now you can see the tree in all its glory. Much like life, perseverance is a key ingredient.

Wayne served in the Navy during WWII and had received the American Theater Medal and the Victory Medal. He worked for the Town of Ashland for 25 years and was the supervisor of the Water Department. He retired at age 65.

The American Campaign Medal was awarded for thirty days' service outside the Continental United States but within the American Theater of Operations between December 7, 1941, and March 2, 1946. The World War II Victory Medal may be awarded to all members of the Armed Forces of the United States or of the Government of the Philippine Islands who served on active duty in World War II at any time between 7 December 1941 and 31 December 1946, both dates inclusive. (Established by Public Law No. 135 of 6 July 1945.)