Paula and I would like to thank the Town of Milford and the State of New Hampshire for all the love and support they have shown us as we continue to grieve the loss of our son Jared Davison, who died while serving his country and the people we have grown to love here.

The death of our son has caused us to reflect on our hometown and the many friends we have made over the years.

When we moved to Milford from Massachusetts more than 20 years ago, we felt immediately welcomed. We were a young family with three boys settling into a new home.

Roger, Kent and Corey Chappell, and Mr. Bellew and his family, were there for us in the beginning. They were helpful in so many ways. Our closest neighbors were George and Madelene Charland. Other neighbors were Alex and Denise Grovos, Diane and Bruce Smith, Connie and Mike Roy, and Paul and Linda Blanchette. There are so many others my family is grateful for.

One of our most precious memories was taking our boys to story time at the Wadleigh Memorial Library. They always looked forward to hearing and learning about all those new and wonderful worlds from Ms. Joan and Stephanie. I cannot say enough great things about the library and how pleased we have been with it.

We also want to thank Mrs. Lydon and Mrs. Winslow, who ran the school, “A Growing Place,” where our boys started on the path to a good education.

At Milford Middle School, there were many days I ate lunch with Jared and his brothers in the cafeteria. I remember the teachers and administrators being so good to me when I visited. I had to work nights, so it was a chance to spend some time with my boys during their day.

Thank you to the ladies at town hall, who have been so helpful to us when we register our cars even though I harass them and give them a bit of a time; our friends over at St. Joe’s physical therapy department, who always helped us get back to work; and John at Foodee’s, who hired Jared and his younger brother Jordan.

I spent many days with the late Carl Holland, who always seemed to be concerned about how our kids were being treated in school. I won’t forget that he gave me some young lilacs to plant in our yard.

I was adopted by longtime Milford residents Charlie and Joan Setaro and embraced by his adult children Pete, Chucky and Sue. We call each other family.

Debbie up at Lull Farm, where the boys and I sold “Milford eggs,” making a mark, was so kind.

I could go on and on. I am moved to tears when I remember all the people who attended my son’s wake and funeral. I am deeply thankful to the New Hampshire State Police, Milford Police and Fire Departments, the U.S. Army, the New Hampshire National Guard and other agencies that have helped us through this process. I have always been proud to tell people that we live in Milford, New Hampshire. We will surely miss Jared, but the people of Milford have been generous in so many ways that we will be forever grateful for having chosen Milford as our home more than two decades ago.

James Davison lives in Milford.