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Bill Would Limit N.H. Medal Of Honor To Those Killed In Action

The U.S. Army vis Flickr Creative Commons

The House passed legislation last week that would limit the awarding of the state’s Medal of Honor to those killed in action.

The bill holds special meaning for one member of the House.

Representative Skip Rollins says he kept the promises he made to his son before he was killed by a roadside bomb in Iraq in 2007.

He made sure his son, Specialist Justin Rollins, was buried in Arlington National Cemetery. He welcomed his girlfriend into the family and watched over his dog.

But last week, Rollins asked his House colleagues to make a promise of their own.

“Let us promise future veterans who give their tomorrows for our todays in the only way they should be remembered, with the same honor in which they served, by allowing only those who are killed in action to be awarded the New Hampshire Medal of Honor.”

Currently, those killed in training are also eligible for the distinction.

The House passed the bill unanimously by a voice vote and it now moves to the Senate.

Following the vote, a moment of silence was held to honor Rollins and all those killed serving their country.

Michael serves as NHPR's Program Director. Michael came to NHPR in 2012, working as the station's newscast producer/reporter. In 2015, he took on the role of Morning Edition producer. Michael worked for eight years at The Telegraph of Nashua, covering education and working as the metro editor.

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