From the Eagle Tribune;
September 15, 2011
Town won't release police review until lawyer says OK
By Cara Hogan
chogan@eagletribune.com
ATKINSON — An independent review of the police department is finished, but just a few people are privy to the results.
The town received the report on the day-to-day management of the police department from Municipal Resources Inc. on Friday, according to Selectman Fred Childs.
But instead of releasing the document, selectmen handed it over to town attorney Sumner Kalman Monday. Kalman said there would be a delay in the public release because he has to do an analysis of it first.
The Eagle Tribune has filed a Freedom of Information Act request, seeking public release of the review.
"The attorney has to look it over to make sure there's nothing that shouldn't be divulged to the public," Childs said. "We just have to make sure there's no information in there that's going to be illegal."
Selectmen voted to pay $5,000 to MRI, which specializes in management reviews, to study the department after numerous conflicts with police Chief Philip Consentino over hiring a new lieutenant.
Consentino said he hasn't seen the report yet and didn't know the town had a copy. He said he was frustrated by the delay.
"Why is this only a draft?" he asked. "If the guy did his report, he should finalize it and send it in. I want to find out if we can hire people and if I've still got a job."
Selectman William Friel said the report is still a draft and will be released when it is finalized.
But the exemption for draft reports under state statute, RSA 91-A, only applies to documents that have not been released to "a quorum or a majority of the members of a public body."
At least two of the three board members have seen the review, according to a selectman.
"Mr. Friel and I looked it over, but Mr. (William) Bennett has been sick and all three of us have to look at it," Childs said.
But Kalman said it's important to analyze the document before it is released to the public.
He cited the same RSA as providing an exemption for the release of the publicly funded review.
"There's exemptions over invasions of privacy and many other issues," he said. "There could be information in the study that could reveal when shifts change. It could help burglars decide that 1:30 is the best time to commit a crime."
Kalman said it's important to protect the safety of Atkinson's residents first, before releasing the report.
"Just because two selectmen allegedly read something doesn't automatically mean everything in the report is available," he said. "Until (the report) has been analyzed and understood, there will have to be a delay of the release of information."
Consentino said he was surprised to hear Kalman was looking at the report.
"If there's something in the study detrimental to somebody's character or reputation, that may be a case where they could be sued for that," he said. "But otherwise, nobody should be making any changes to the report. The gentleman that did the survey is supposed to be an independent person."
Sending it to a lawyer for review is standard procedure, according to Childs.
"It's nothing unusual to have an attorney look it over," he said. "We're not trying to hide anything from the public. It will be public as soon as Mr. Kalman gets done with it."
The town has five days to respond to the newspaper's Freedom of Information request.
Atkinson Town Hall
The Norman Rockwellian picture of Atkinson
Thursday, September 15, 2011
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
Atkinson neighbors upset about sex offender
from the eagle tribune;
Atkinson neighbors upset about sex offender
By Cara Hogan
chogan@eagletribune.com The Eagle Tribune Wed Sep 14, 2011, 04:12 AM EDT
ATKINSON — Some residents are upset a convicted sex offender is living in their neighborhood and think the police should have warned them.
But police Chief Philip Consentino said the man has done his time, followed the law and has a right to live on Ridgewood Drive.
Fliers were posted around the street on Monday, warning the neighborhood about Michael Green.
Green, 54, a registered sex offender, is living at 16 Ridgewood Drive. He was convicted of aggravated felonious assault on a victim under 13 years old in 2009, served two years in prison, was released July 5 and is now out on probation.
Green said yesterday he doesn't want any problems.
But his presence is a problem only for some residents.
Count Scott Watkins, among them.
The Ridgewood Drive resident said he saw signs about Green all over his street when he left for work Monday morning.
"It said in red letters across the top, 'Let's protect our children,'" Watkins said. "It has his picture and name, his description and the rest of the information they have on the sex offender website. When I got home (Monday) afternoon, they had taken them all down."
No one knows who put up or took down the signs, but the neighborhood is in an uproar.
Another Ridgewood Drive resident, John Egan, said he was shocked when he found out.
"We're concerned about it," he said. "When my grandchildren visit, we would never allow them near Number 16."
Watkins — and many other residents — called police to complain that a sex offender is living in their neighborhood. Consentino said yesterday, Green has been living in town for a few weeks and has a legal right to be there.
"The state law requires him to file all his paperwork with us, and he's done that," he said. "He has to check in with us twice a year to register."
In addition, Jeffrey Lyons, spokesman for the New Hampshire Department of Corrections, said Green must meet with a probation officer every two weeks.
"We have a risk assessment and, based on that, we determine the level of supervision," he said. "If he was considered a high risk of re-offending, that could result in daily meetings with his probation officer or with electronic monitoring. But (Green) won't be doing that."
Consentino said he was worried about how residents would react to the fliers.
September 14, 2011 8:37 AM
Atkinson neighbors upset about sex offender
By Cara Hogan
chogan@eagletribune.com The Eagle Tribune Wed Sep 14, 2011, 04:12 AM EDT
ATKINSON — Some residents are upset a convicted sex offender is living in their neighborhood and think the police should have warned them.
But police Chief Philip Consentino said the man has done his time, followed the law and has a right to live on Ridgewood Drive.
Fliers were posted around the street on Monday, warning the neighborhood about Michael Green.
Green, 54, a registered sex offender, is living at 16 Ridgewood Drive. He was convicted of aggravated felonious assault on a victim under 13 years old in 2009, served two years in prison, was released July 5 and is now out on probation.
Green said yesterday he doesn't want any problems.
But his presence is a problem only for some residents.
Count Scott Watkins, among them.
The Ridgewood Drive resident said he saw signs about Green all over his street when he left for work Monday morning.
"It said in red letters across the top, 'Let's protect our children,'" Watkins said. "It has his picture and name, his description and the rest of the information they have on the sex offender website. When I got home (Monday) afternoon, they had taken them all down."
No one knows who put up or took down the signs, but the neighborhood is in an uproar.
Another Ridgewood Drive resident, John Egan, said he was shocked when he found out.
"We're concerned about it," he said. "When my grandchildren visit, we would never allow them near Number 16."
Watkins — and many other residents — called police to complain that a sex offender is living in their neighborhood. Consentino said yesterday, Green has been living in town for a few weeks and has a legal right to be there.
"The state law requires him to file all his paperwork with us, and he's done that," he said. "He has to check in with us twice a year to register."
In addition, Jeffrey Lyons, spokesman for the New Hampshire Department of Corrections, said Green must meet with a probation officer every two weeks.
"We have a risk assessment and, based on that, we determine the level of supervision," he said. "If he was considered a high risk of re-offending, that could result in daily meetings with his probation officer or with electronic monitoring. But (Green) won't be doing that."
Consentino said he was worried about how residents would react to the fliers.
September 14, 2011 8:37 AM
Friday, August 19, 2011
Atkinson loses another administrator
from the Eagle Tribune;
August 19, 2011
Atkinson loses another administrator
By Cara Hogan
chogan@eagletribune.com
ATKINSON — After less than two years on the job, Town Administrator Phil Smith is returning to police work.
Smith gave his notice to selectmen Tuesday.
"I got another opportunity in Roswell, N.M.," Smith said yesterday. "I will be the deputy chief of the police department."
His last day in Atkinson is Sept. 15.
He's just the latest in a long list of relatively short-term administrators. And selectmen haven't always had an easy time filling the job.
Before Smith was hired in September 2009, the town went seven months without an administrator.
But short-term administrators are the norm for a town this size, Selectman Fred Childs said.
"I hope the next town manager will last long," Childs said. "It's a small town, so it's a stepping stone for people. If they can make more money someplace else, they do. That's what happens."
For Smith, who served as police chief in Alton before taking the Atkinson job, it's a chance to move to a warmer climate and return to police work.
"I realized I just really love being in law enforcement. I'm getting back to a field I'm more comfortable with and what I love to do, but it's no knock on Atkinson," he said. "Atkinson was right next door to my hometown and I've learned a lot of new skills being here. It's going to make my police work much more effective and efficient."
Selectmen have begun to search for his replacement.
"We are starting to search for a new town manager today," Childs said yesterday. "It depends on who applies, how long it takes. Sometimes it takes a long time, sometimes it doesn't, depends on the candidates you get."
Selectmen's Chairman William Bennett said he understands why Smith decided to leave.
"He's got a better job and a better income," he said. "I get it."
The town hasn't yet decided whether to hire a consulting company to help with the search, selectmen said.
It's likely the town will be without an administrator for a few months, but administrative assistant Barbara Snicer will fill in, something she's done before.
In fact, Childs pointed out, Snicer has filled in the last two times the town was without an administrator.
Atkinson has gone through a few short-term town managers in the past few years.
The longest someone has stayed on the job in recent memory was Russell McCallister's three-and-a-half-year stint that ended in January 2008. Then came interim administrator Craig Kleman for about four months. He was followed by Steven Angelo, who lasted less than five months, leaving in January 2009.
Smith will be moving to a much larger community when he heads to Roswell. It has about 50,000 residents and a 96-person police department.
"It's a fantastic opportunity career-wise and a lot of us policemen who live in the snowier areas like to make our second bids toward warmer climates," he said. "There's a lot going on in that city. I'm looking very much forward to the challenge."
But he said he's going to miss the people he's worked with in Atkinson.
"I've had the privilege and honor of working with some wonderful people here in Town Hall," Smith said. "That was the most refreshing thing coming out of law enforcement, finding this level of quality people that provide service the community."
August 19, 2011
Atkinson loses another administrator
By Cara Hogan
chogan@eagletribune.com
ATKINSON — After less than two years on the job, Town Administrator Phil Smith is returning to police work.
Smith gave his notice to selectmen Tuesday.
"I got another opportunity in Roswell, N.M.," Smith said yesterday. "I will be the deputy chief of the police department."
His last day in Atkinson is Sept. 15.
He's just the latest in a long list of relatively short-term administrators. And selectmen haven't always had an easy time filling the job.
Before Smith was hired in September 2009, the town went seven months without an administrator.
But short-term administrators are the norm for a town this size, Selectman Fred Childs said.
"I hope the next town manager will last long," Childs said. "It's a small town, so it's a stepping stone for people. If they can make more money someplace else, they do. That's what happens."
For Smith, who served as police chief in Alton before taking the Atkinson job, it's a chance to move to a warmer climate and return to police work.
"I realized I just really love being in law enforcement. I'm getting back to a field I'm more comfortable with and what I love to do, but it's no knock on Atkinson," he said. "Atkinson was right next door to my hometown and I've learned a lot of new skills being here. It's going to make my police work much more effective and efficient."
Selectmen have begun to search for his replacement.
"We are starting to search for a new town manager today," Childs said yesterday. "It depends on who applies, how long it takes. Sometimes it takes a long time, sometimes it doesn't, depends on the candidates you get."
Selectmen's Chairman William Bennett said he understands why Smith decided to leave.
"He's got a better job and a better income," he said. "I get it."
The town hasn't yet decided whether to hire a consulting company to help with the search, selectmen said.
It's likely the town will be without an administrator for a few months, but administrative assistant Barbara Snicer will fill in, something she's done before.
In fact, Childs pointed out, Snicer has filled in the last two times the town was without an administrator.
Atkinson has gone through a few short-term town managers in the past few years.
The longest someone has stayed on the job in recent memory was Russell McCallister's three-and-a-half-year stint that ended in January 2008. Then came interim administrator Craig Kleman for about four months. He was followed by Steven Angelo, who lasted less than five months, leaving in January 2009.
Smith will be moving to a much larger community when he heads to Roswell. It has about 50,000 residents and a 96-person police department.
"It's a fantastic opportunity career-wise and a lot of us policemen who live in the snowier areas like to make our second bids toward warmer climates," he said. "There's a lot going on in that city. I'm looking very much forward to the challenge."
But he said he's going to miss the people he's worked with in Atkinson.
"I've had the privilege and honor of working with some wonderful people here in Town Hall," Smith said. "That was the most refreshing thing coming out of law enforcement, finding this level of quality people that provide service the community."
Thursday, August 18, 2011
Heard in the Town Hall: Town Administrator Resigns!
Yes, it is evidently true. Town administrator Phil Smith has resigned effective immediately. It has been known that he did not agree with some of what goes on in town. It is also known that he has had differences with the chief, due to Mr. Smith's background as a Chief of police himself.
Hopefully in the coming days we will find out what happened that resulted in his sudden departure.
Good luck in your future endeavors, Phil.
Hopefully in the coming days we will find out what happened that resulted in his sudden departure.
Good luck in your future endeavors, Phil.
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
Atkinson police chief back on the job
From the Eagle Tribune;
August 16, 2011
Atkinson police chief back on the job
By Cara Hogan
chogan@eagletribune.com
ATKINSON — Police Chief Philip Consentino is back on the job.
Selectmen officially reinstated the chief yesterday, Selectmen's Chairman William Bennett said. Consentino had been out on medical leave since June 14.
"He is under some restrictions by his doctor, but he is back for light duty," Bennett said. "He is still recovering from open heart surgery."
Consentino said he worked a half day yesterday, mainly doing desk work from his office.
"I'm finally back at work," he said. "They gave me a letter stating I could come back to work as long as I follow my doctor's instructions. The main thing is not to lift anything heavy. I know exactly how much I can lift before it hurts across my chest."
Consentino, 70, had tried to do some police paperwork from home when he first came back from the hospital. But selectmen sent him a letter last month, telling him to stop all police work until he was fit to return to duty or else he would be fired.
"They were trying to make sure that everything was in order," Consentino said. "They were so afraid of being sued if I came back and something happened to me they made a mountain out of a molehill."
Now that the chief is back, he can address the department's shrinking staff. Officer Justin Paquette left the department last week and another officer may leave on Sept. 1. That follows Lt. William Baldwin's departure for Plaistow in May. Now, the department is understaffed, with just three full-time officers.
"Consentino will be able to hire replacement officers soon," Bennett said. "He can replace Paquette as a patrol officer now. We know we need that."
The chief had been restricted from hiring any new officers until an independent study of the police department by Municipal Resources Inc. is finished. The study stalled while Consentino was out, but he said he will be meeting tomorrow with a representative from MRI.
"I'm the last of his puzzle to put together, so by Wednesday, he should have it done," Consentino said.
But the chief isn't waiting for the results of the study to advertise for new officers.
"Putting the ads in doesn't mean we're hiring anyone," he said. "We're accepting applications so when MRI does give the selectmen recommendations, which I hope will be to replace two officers, we will have applications in and we can act immediately. Time is of the essence."
Consentino said the hiring process could take anywhere from two week to two months, depending on who applies. The department is specifically looking for experienced officers who don't need much training; the salary will be based on experience.
"A lot of times you can get somebody that has 10 or 15 years in the system and they're looking for something that's fairly quiet," Consentino said. "It would be a perfect job for them."
Unfortunately, he said, the two officers who left did not feel that way.
"Those two officers haven't had a raise in three or four years and have not been able to negotiate a contract with selectmen," Consentino said. "They felt they wanted to go someplace where they had a chance of advancement and more money. The third could be leaving soon because he's taking on a job that could pay him roughly 10 to 15 percent more than he's making here."
Consentino said Detective Philip Farrar did a great job running the department in his absence, putting off his planned retirement to help out the department.
"I'm just glad he's back," Farrar said of Consentino. "My retirement will be in the works now that he's back. Hopefully, everything will be back to normal."
Town Manager Philip Smith did not return requests for comment.
August 16, 2011
Atkinson police chief back on the job
By Cara Hogan
chogan@eagletribune.com
ATKINSON — Police Chief Philip Consentino is back on the job.
Selectmen officially reinstated the chief yesterday, Selectmen's Chairman William Bennett said. Consentino had been out on medical leave since June 14.
"He is under some restrictions by his doctor, but he is back for light duty," Bennett said. "He is still recovering from open heart surgery."
Consentino said he worked a half day yesterday, mainly doing desk work from his office.
"I'm finally back at work," he said. "They gave me a letter stating I could come back to work as long as I follow my doctor's instructions. The main thing is not to lift anything heavy. I know exactly how much I can lift before it hurts across my chest."
Consentino, 70, had tried to do some police paperwork from home when he first came back from the hospital. But selectmen sent him a letter last month, telling him to stop all police work until he was fit to return to duty or else he would be fired.
"They were trying to make sure that everything was in order," Consentino said. "They were so afraid of being sued if I came back and something happened to me they made a mountain out of a molehill."
Now that the chief is back, he can address the department's shrinking staff. Officer Justin Paquette left the department last week and another officer may leave on Sept. 1. That follows Lt. William Baldwin's departure for Plaistow in May. Now, the department is understaffed, with just three full-time officers.
"Consentino will be able to hire replacement officers soon," Bennett said. "He can replace Paquette as a patrol officer now. We know we need that."
The chief had been restricted from hiring any new officers until an independent study of the police department by Municipal Resources Inc. is finished. The study stalled while Consentino was out, but he said he will be meeting tomorrow with a representative from MRI.
"I'm the last of his puzzle to put together, so by Wednesday, he should have it done," Consentino said.
But the chief isn't waiting for the results of the study to advertise for new officers.
"Putting the ads in doesn't mean we're hiring anyone," he said. "We're accepting applications so when MRI does give the selectmen recommendations, which I hope will be to replace two officers, we will have applications in and we can act immediately. Time is of the essence."
Consentino said the hiring process could take anywhere from two week to two months, depending on who applies. The department is specifically looking for experienced officers who don't need much training; the salary will be based on experience.
"A lot of times you can get somebody that has 10 or 15 years in the system and they're looking for something that's fairly quiet," Consentino said. "It would be a perfect job for them."
Unfortunately, he said, the two officers who left did not feel that way.
"Those two officers haven't had a raise in three or four years and have not been able to negotiate a contract with selectmen," Consentino said. "They felt they wanted to go someplace where they had a chance of advancement and more money. The third could be leaving soon because he's taking on a job that could pay him roughly 10 to 15 percent more than he's making here."
Consentino said Detective Philip Farrar did a great job running the department in his absence, putting off his planned retirement to help out the department.
"I'm just glad he's back," Farrar said of Consentino. "My retirement will be in the works now that he's back. Hopefully, everything will be back to normal."
Town Manager Philip Smith did not return requests for comment.
Thursday, August 11, 2011
Atkinson police lose another officer
From the Eagle Tribune;
August 11, 2011
Atkinson police lose another officer
By Cara Hogan
chogan@eagletribune.com
ATKINSON — Another officer is leaving the Atkinson Police Department, leaving the dwindling force at just three full-time officers. Police Chief Philip Consentino has been out on medical leave since June 14.
Today is Officer Justin Paquette's last day at the department. Detective Sgt. Philip Farrar said Paquette, a Haverhill, Mass., resident, is leaving for a new job and a bigger paycheck at the New Hampshire Police Standards and Training Council.
"He's been here for 10 years," Farrar said. "He's been working midnights the last few years."
The police department started the year with five full-time officers. Lt. William Baldwin left for Plaistow in May. Paquette's departure leaves just three full-time officers.
"One of the three officers left has applied to another department and we anticipate him leaving by Sept. 1," Farrar said yesterday. "It's not a done deal yet, but we expect to be down to two officers. We're losing people and, right now, there's no process being begun to replace anyone. We're using part-time officers to cover any open shifts and there will be some mandated shifts and overtime."
Farrar has been covering for Consentino while he recovers from heart surgery, putting his own planned retirement on hold.
"The chief is still not back, so I'm doing my original job as detective and the lieutenant's job and the chief's job," Farrar said. "I was waiting for the chief to come back, but I don't know when he'll be allowed to come back. I'm certainly not going to abandon the department."
Consentino had been doing some paperwork from home, but selectmen sent him a letter last month, directing him to stop any police work until he was OK'd to return to full duty. The chief said he believed selectmen were threatening his job, although board members rejected that idea.
Police can't hire replacements for Baldwin or Paquette until the town has completed an independent study of the department by Municipal Resources Inc., which is looking at how the department is run.
"There is still a hiring freeze the selectmen have put in place until the MRI study is completed, and then we can consider hiring," Farrar said. "But the study is apparently on hold. The MRI people asked to speak the chief because he's the only one they haven't talked to yet, but he isn't allowed to do any police work."
Selectmen's Chairman William Bennett said the town is hoping to get Consentino back on the job as quickly as possible to start hiring a replacement for Paquette.
"We are trying to get the chief back on the job and let him do the hiring," Bennett said. "We don't want to do the hiring ourselves."
Until then, he said, the town has an arrangement with the Rockingham County Sheriff's Department to back up the department with more officers if necessary.
"MRI can't finish their study until they've talked to the chief and we're trying to get him back quickly," Bennett said. "If there were some reason why he couldn't return for some extended period of time, we'd have to reassess our approach. But I don't foresee that happening."
Town Manager Philip Smith said the department still has enough officers to cover shifts adequately.
"The police department has several part-time officers and still has two of the three patrol officers," he said. "The town is adequately protected. There has been only one vacancy, Baldwin, who did not have a patrol shift. The additional vacancy is a full-time patrol officer, which can be covered with our part-time officers until filled."
But Farrar said he's worried.
"Right now, we're good; we've anticipated this first departure," he said. "But, come September, if this other officer does in fact get this job, that will open up another can of worms. We'll deal with that when we get there."
He said he hopes Consentino will return soon and they can begin to hire new officers.
August 11, 2011
Atkinson police lose another officer
By Cara Hogan
chogan@eagletribune.com
ATKINSON — Another officer is leaving the Atkinson Police Department, leaving the dwindling force at just three full-time officers. Police Chief Philip Consentino has been out on medical leave since June 14.
Today is Officer Justin Paquette's last day at the department. Detective Sgt. Philip Farrar said Paquette, a Haverhill, Mass., resident, is leaving for a new job and a bigger paycheck at the New Hampshire Police Standards and Training Council.
"He's been here for 10 years," Farrar said. "He's been working midnights the last few years."
The police department started the year with five full-time officers. Lt. William Baldwin left for Plaistow in May. Paquette's departure leaves just three full-time officers.
"One of the three officers left has applied to another department and we anticipate him leaving by Sept. 1," Farrar said yesterday. "It's not a done deal yet, but we expect to be down to two officers. We're losing people and, right now, there's no process being begun to replace anyone. We're using part-time officers to cover any open shifts and there will be some mandated shifts and overtime."
Farrar has been covering for Consentino while he recovers from heart surgery, putting his own planned retirement on hold.
"The chief is still not back, so I'm doing my original job as detective and the lieutenant's job and the chief's job," Farrar said. "I was waiting for the chief to come back, but I don't know when he'll be allowed to come back. I'm certainly not going to abandon the department."
Consentino had been doing some paperwork from home, but selectmen sent him a letter last month, directing him to stop any police work until he was OK'd to return to full duty. The chief said he believed selectmen were threatening his job, although board members rejected that idea.
Police can't hire replacements for Baldwin or Paquette until the town has completed an independent study of the department by Municipal Resources Inc., which is looking at how the department is run.
"There is still a hiring freeze the selectmen have put in place until the MRI study is completed, and then we can consider hiring," Farrar said. "But the study is apparently on hold. The MRI people asked to speak the chief because he's the only one they haven't talked to yet, but he isn't allowed to do any police work."
Selectmen's Chairman William Bennett said the town is hoping to get Consentino back on the job as quickly as possible to start hiring a replacement for Paquette.
"We are trying to get the chief back on the job and let him do the hiring," Bennett said. "We don't want to do the hiring ourselves."
Until then, he said, the town has an arrangement with the Rockingham County Sheriff's Department to back up the department with more officers if necessary.
"MRI can't finish their study until they've talked to the chief and we're trying to get him back quickly," Bennett said. "If there were some reason why he couldn't return for some extended period of time, we'd have to reassess our approach. But I don't foresee that happening."
Town Manager Philip Smith said the department still has enough officers to cover shifts adequately.
"The police department has several part-time officers and still has two of the three patrol officers," he said. "The town is adequately protected. There has been only one vacancy, Baldwin, who did not have a patrol shift. The additional vacancy is a full-time patrol officer, which can be covered with our part-time officers until filled."
But Farrar said he's worried.
"Right now, we're good; we've anticipated this first departure," he said. "But, come September, if this other officer does in fact get this job, that will open up another can of worms. We'll deal with that when we get there."
He said he hopes Consentino will return soon and they can begin to hire new officers.
Saturday, July 23, 2011
Hundreds celebrate Atkinson Marine's life
From the Eagle Tribune;
July 23, 2011
Hundreds celebrate Atkinson Marine's life
By Doug Ireland
direland@eagletribune.com
ATKINSON — There were a few tears, many smiles and even a little humor yesterday as approximately 450 people honored Marine Maj. Jeremy Graczyk.
Graczyk, "a Marine's Marine," would have wanted it that way.
The crowd packed the pews and the grounds of Atkinson Congregational Church to say farewell to a man celebrated for his character, intelligence, spirit and love of life.
Graczyk was killed in a BASE jumping accident July 12 while off duty in Switzerland.
"We knew he was special, just not how special," said James Graczyk, standing near his son's flag-draped coffin.
He eulogized his 33-year-old son, as did two of the Marine's military comrades. Each spoke of his successes as a leader and a human being.
James Graczyk brought some humor to what was a solemn ceremony that began with a police-led procession and included military honors. He said his son was boisterous, daring, loved loud music and was a bad singer often called "Crazy Uncle Jeremy" by his young nephews.
Jeremy Graczyk enjoyed rock climbing, motorcycles, skiing, skydiving and traveling the world. He died in an accident while BASE jumping, the extreme sport of parachuting from fixed objects like buildings, antenna towers, bridge spans and mountains.
He persuaded his father to accompany him on faraway fishing trips. "There was not much left unsaid between my son and I," he said.
But there was one thing — asking Jeremy to speak at his funeral someday.
"I never thought the roles would be reversed," James Graczyk said.
Jeremy Graczyk, Timberlane Regional High School's valedictorian in 1995 and a U.S. Naval Academy graduate, knew as a middle school student he wanted to join the military, his father said.
"We quickly realized this was no passing fancy," he said. "Jeremy loved the Marine Corps as a parent loves a child. ... He was a Marine's Marine and a true warrior."
James Graczyk and others who spoke during the two-hour service asked the crowd not to grieve for his son, but to celebrate his life. "Live your life to the fullest and don't let grief overcome you," he said. "We will remember him always in our memory."
Fellow Marine Kent Kroeker said he and Graczyk joked about the possibility they could be killed in battle.
"We have been composing our eulogies as long as we have known each other," Kroeker said.
The high-spirited Graczyk was always on the go, a true human being and leader who could do anything, he said.
"For one moment in his entire life, he never stopped moving," Kroeker said. "On duty or off — it didn't matter. He was always on a mission."
Another friend, Navy Lt. Cmdr. Patrick Mahoney, spoke of Graczyk's leadership skills and how even in heaven, he would lead God's "elite corps of angels."
"Like all of us, God gave Jeremy many gifts," he said. "Jeremy grew into a remarkable leader."
Mahoney called Graczyk "one of America's legendary legionnaires." Anyone in a tough situation should just ask themselves, "What would Jeremy do?" he said.
Nearly 200 people filled the church, about 250 others sat outside beneath three big tents in the blistering 100-degree heat. Large fans and speakers were set up for the benefit of those who could not be inside.
Gov. John Lynch, who was at the funeral, ordered all flags in the state be lowered to half-staff yesterday in Graczyk's honor.
Graczyk, who was well decorated during his 12-year military career, will be buried in Arlington National Cemetery.
In addition to his father, Graczyk is survived by his mother, Darlene, and a sister, Jennifer Sakash.
July 23, 2011
Hundreds celebrate Atkinson Marine's life
By Doug Ireland
direland@eagletribune.com
ATKINSON — There were a few tears, many smiles and even a little humor yesterday as approximately 450 people honored Marine Maj. Jeremy Graczyk.
Graczyk, "a Marine's Marine," would have wanted it that way.
The crowd packed the pews and the grounds of Atkinson Congregational Church to say farewell to a man celebrated for his character, intelligence, spirit and love of life.
Graczyk was killed in a BASE jumping accident July 12 while off duty in Switzerland.
"We knew he was special, just not how special," said James Graczyk, standing near his son's flag-draped coffin.
He eulogized his 33-year-old son, as did two of the Marine's military comrades. Each spoke of his successes as a leader and a human being.
James Graczyk brought some humor to what was a solemn ceremony that began with a police-led procession and included military honors. He said his son was boisterous, daring, loved loud music and was a bad singer often called "Crazy Uncle Jeremy" by his young nephews.
Jeremy Graczyk enjoyed rock climbing, motorcycles, skiing, skydiving and traveling the world. He died in an accident while BASE jumping, the extreme sport of parachuting from fixed objects like buildings, antenna towers, bridge spans and mountains.
He persuaded his father to accompany him on faraway fishing trips. "There was not much left unsaid between my son and I," he said.
But there was one thing — asking Jeremy to speak at his funeral someday.
"I never thought the roles would be reversed," James Graczyk said.
Jeremy Graczyk, Timberlane Regional High School's valedictorian in 1995 and a U.S. Naval Academy graduate, knew as a middle school student he wanted to join the military, his father said.
"We quickly realized this was no passing fancy," he said. "Jeremy loved the Marine Corps as a parent loves a child. ... He was a Marine's Marine and a true warrior."
James Graczyk and others who spoke during the two-hour service asked the crowd not to grieve for his son, but to celebrate his life. "Live your life to the fullest and don't let grief overcome you," he said. "We will remember him always in our memory."
Fellow Marine Kent Kroeker said he and Graczyk joked about the possibility they could be killed in battle.
"We have been composing our eulogies as long as we have known each other," Kroeker said.
The high-spirited Graczyk was always on the go, a true human being and leader who could do anything, he said.
"For one moment in his entire life, he never stopped moving," Kroeker said. "On duty or off — it didn't matter. He was always on a mission."
Another friend, Navy Lt. Cmdr. Patrick Mahoney, spoke of Graczyk's leadership skills and how even in heaven, he would lead God's "elite corps of angels."
"Like all of us, God gave Jeremy many gifts," he said. "Jeremy grew into a remarkable leader."
Mahoney called Graczyk "one of America's legendary legionnaires." Anyone in a tough situation should just ask themselves, "What would Jeremy do?" he said.
Nearly 200 people filled the church, about 250 others sat outside beneath three big tents in the blistering 100-degree heat. Large fans and speakers were set up for the benefit of those who could not be inside.
Gov. John Lynch, who was at the funeral, ordered all flags in the state be lowered to half-staff yesterday in Graczyk's honor.
Graczyk, who was well decorated during his 12-year military career, will be buried in Arlington National Cemetery.
In addition to his father, Graczyk is survived by his mother, Darlene, and a sister, Jennifer Sakash.
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