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Kuster joins NH military families to honor Ghost Army veterans, highlights support for local restaurants

By Staff | Jun 19, 2021

KEENE — U.S. Rep. Annie Kuster (NH-02) visited the Cheshire Historical Society and toured the new Ghost Army Exhibit Friday with the family of Granite State veterans. While she was there, Kuster discussed her bipartisan legislation, the Ghost Army Congressional Gold Medal Act, which the House passed last month.

Later in the day, Kuster visited Luca’s Mediterranean Café and met with owner Luca Paris to discuss the impact of targeted federal stimulus for small businesses during COVID-19, and the Monadnock Restaurant Project which raised money for local restaurants in Keene.

“The Ghost Army saved thousands of allied lives during humanity’s darkest hour, but because their missions were kept secret for decades, they were never recognized for their extraordinary accomplishments,” said Rep. Kuster. “It was wonderful to see their efforts finally honored today at the Cheshire Historical Society alongside the family of Granite State veterans. I’m proud that my Ghost Army Congressional Gold Medal Act has passed the House, and I hope that the Senate will pass this bipartisan legislation to award these brave Americans the Congressional Gold Medal and ensure they receive the long-overdue recognition they deserve.”

“Thank you to Luca Paris for having me today, and for speaking with me about the impact of targeted federal stimulus and about the Monadnock Restaurant Project which has raised money for our local restaurants in Keene,” Rep. Kuster continued. “The historic American Rescue Plan has helped to ensure small businesses in New Hampshire and across the country have the support they need to weather the storm, and I look forward to bringing Luca’s voice and perspective to Congress to ensure no one is left behind as we recover and rebuild from COVID-19.”

“People who have visited the Ghost Army exhibit have enjoyed it because it is a fascinating story, and it has a local connection with the Cheshire County residents who served in the unit,” said Rick Swanson, Development Director at the Historical Society of Cheshire County. “They were real heroes who put themselves in harm’s way, and it is interesting to think that they had to keep the story quiet for fifty years.”

“I really believe that thanks to the additional support from local and national elected officials, our local merchants and Keene community were able to not only hang on through the pandemic, but prosper through determination and caring for each other,” said Luca Paris, owner of Luca’s Mediterranean Café in Keene. “This community supported each other in ways we never thought we could. We are now a stronger, more cohesive and understanding community. We have this energy that we will continue to grow with that will help us face any challenges in the future, together.”

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