History
CSM Stanley R. Arnold, Jr. & Renate K. Arnold
Veterans Heritage Learning Center
Proudly Dedicated - May 30, 2019
Command Sergeant Major Stanley “Stan” Arnold, raised in Bolton, Massachusetts, enlisted in the United States Army at the age of 17 as an E-1 Private in September of 1959. One of his earliest military assignments was to Germany where, on April 24, 1963 in Neckarsulm, Germany, he married Renate (Kieber) Arnold.
CSM Arnold was a proud member of "The Big Red One," the 1st Infantry Division, and, in his early days in the military, worked on the Redstone Rocket, a derivation of which carried the first Americans into space. During his 24 years in the Army, he received numerous awards, commendations and citations, including the Bronze Star Medal (2nd Oak Leaf Cluster) for heroic achievement in a combat zone during the Vietnam War. His final assignment was as the Senior Army Advisor, Army National Guard (SRAAG) to the NH Army National Guard. CSM Arnold retired from active military service in 1983, having achieved the E-9 rank of Command Sergeant Major, the highest enlisted rank in the Army.
Moving into his civilian career, Stan joined the New Hampshire Department of Revenue Administration in 1983 an auditor. Rising through various positions, he was appointed DRA Commissioner in 1988 and served 14 years as Commissioner, providing valuable non-partisan advice to four Governors of both political parties. For the final phase of his career, Stan was a Senior Tax Policy Advisor at the Rath, Young and Pignatelli, P.C. law firm from January of 2003 until December of 2014, where he provided valuable client service and enjoyed close relationships with his treasured colleagues.
Stan had a lifelong devotion not only in furthering his own education, but also in encouraging the educational and professional development of others. Pursuing education at night through the benefits provided by the United States Government
through the G.I. Bill, Stan obtained his Bachelor of Science Degree from Cameron University in 1975 and his Master's in Business Administration from Plymouth State College in 1982. He was a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the New Hampshire Society of Certified Public Accountants.
CSM Stanley R. Arnold, Jr. (Ret) was particularly proud to be involved in the creation and development of the New Hampshire State Veterans Cemetery in Boscawen, New Hampshire. He was also one of the five veterans who created the NH Veterans Cemetery Association (NHVCA) in September 2000 and served as Secretary/Treasurer from 2000 to 2002 and President 2002-2004.
CSM Stanley R. Arnold, Jr. (Ret.) passed away on October 28, 2018.
Through Innovation, We Honor... We Educate...
The Veterans Heritage Learning Center has gone from concept to reality in just 3 short years, opening on November 11, 2018. The NH Veterans Cemetery Association started planning and design in 2015 and built the core building over the course of a year. After the core building was complete, the next phase involved developing the internal concept that best told the story of New Hampshire military history and the veterans who lived it. We engaged Boston Productions Inc. who developed the "story" concept and how the exhibits would enhance the experience and foster learning. Once the concept was fully developed, the design of modular wall exhibits was done in partnership with Luci Creative Design from Chicago, IL. The modular walls and Hometown Hero kiosks were manufactured by Luci Creative partner, Ravenswood, and were completed in 2018. Interactive displays continue to be developed and installed to interactively tell the story of our veterans.... our New Hampshire veterans... and impart to our visitors, teachers and students the selfless commitment to service to our nation and secure the freedoms we enjoy every day.
The modular walls tell the story New Hampshire’s rich military history starting in the late 17th century through the Colonial wars, the War of 1812, the Civil War, World War I & II, Korea, Vietnam into the present-day operations across the globe including Iraq and Afghanistan. No matter what generation was called to duty, New Hampshire's sons and daughters answered the call.
The Medal of Honor Wall tells the story of each New Hampshire veteran who earned our nation's highest military honor. The Hometown Heroes kiosks that ring the inside of the center provide individual profiles of New Hampshire veterans such as Alan Shepard from Derry and Senior Chief Dan Healy of Exeter.