Portsmouth honors veterans who died in service (photos)

Memorial Day ceremony held at VFW Post 5390

Posted 5/27/25

PORTSMOUTH — The VFW Post 5390 welcomed community members Monday as it honored veterans who made the ultimate sacrifice.  

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Portsmouth honors veterans who died in service (photos)

Memorial Day ceremony held at VFW Post 5390

Posted

PORTSMOUTH — The VFW Post 5390 welcomed community members Monday as it honored veterans who made the ultimate sacrifice. 

The guest speaker for this year’s Memorial Day ceremony was Richard James Norton, a retired U.S. Navy commander.

Norton is a graduate of Tulane University and the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy. While in the Navy, he served extensively at sea on cruisers and destroyers, and carried out shore tours in the Navy’s Office of Legislative Affairs and the Navy staff.

Considered an authority on decision-making, Norton’s regional areas of expertise include Africa and South America. His work on the concept of “feral cities” is considered groundbreaking. 

Lt. Cmdr. Vic Schaefer, the post’s junior vice commander, served as master of ceremonies.

VFW Post 5390 Commander Kenneth Rutter was presented with a check that will go towards a needed sprinkler system on the bottom floor of the building. 

Dave Duggan, past commander of the American Legion Post 18, gave the invocation and benediction.

Carly Johnston sang the National Anthem, and local Boy Scouts posted the colors. 

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