Cards wanted for D-Day vet forced to spend 98th birthday alone under lockdown Nine Line News Team January 12, 2021 Nine Line News 3 Raymond “Red’ Goulet, one of the first to storm Omaha Beach in Normandy, France on D-Day, turns 98 on January 14th. Because of the coronavirus pandemic, he can’t have visitors. He can’t get outside. He doesn’t have a computer. Friends, loved ones, and complete strangers have mounted a campaign on social media to request birthday cards be mailed to Goulet at his apartment in New Hampshire. They want to let this World War II veteran know he hasn’t been forgotten in these crazy times when so many elderly have been forced to isolate. Goulet lives in the Portsmouth Housing Authority’s Margeson Apartments. Because it’s government-run housing for multiple individuals and families, it is closed to non-essential visitors due to the coronavirus. Birthday cards can be sent to Raymond Goulet at 245 Middle Street, Apt. 324, Portsmouth, New Hampshire, 03801. Goulet was only 21 years old when he landed on Omaha Beach on June 6, 1944 as a U.S. Army technical sergeant. Goulet, along with his two brothers enlisted in the Army during World War II, and all three returned home. “I believed in divine intervention, and so did my two brothers, and that’s why we came home safe,” he said. After the war, Goulet returned to Lawrence NH and worked in the city as an electrical wholesaler. About 30 years ago, he moved to Portsmouth to be near his daughter and her husband who were with the Coast Guard, one of his three children. Before the pandemic, Goulet had been an active Pease Greeter, an organization of military veterans and civilians who welcome Troops coming or going through Portsmouth International Airport at Pease, in Portsmouth, N.H. Pease Greeters are at all announced Troop flights, inbound or outbound, any hour of the day or night, rain, snow or shine. The Pease Greeters also ship care packages to the troops overseas, including to many who passed through Pease. In 2017, Goulet was honored by the Portsmouth Police Department at a special luncheon with its highest-ranking officers. At that time, Goulet still carried the very same wallet he had in his pocket on D-Day. In the midst of everything America is going through at the moment, it’s comforting to know there are still many millions of our fellow citizens who wished to serve, have served and are still serving our nation. We must ensure they know they’re not forgotten. Let “Red” Goulet know. But hurry! His birthday is only a few days away. 3 Responses Kevin Gribbon January 13, 2021 Happy Birthday Sir. Thank you for changing the world! For you and all your Brothers & Sisters. The Breeze of Our Nation My many rights and freedoms Mine to choose and hold Earned by others, bestowed to me By people brave and bold Those gold print hats across the land Oh yes, so proudly worn U.S. Vets from every branch Who served the greater cause Separated families, parted by the seas Men who meet their newborns first, already off their knees Sons and daughters grow up fast, sometimes overnight Facing unknown danger, in the darkest light Ran into battle, legs blown away We spoke briefly in an airport He said, “I would do it again today” Plain gravestones and folded flags, so perfectly aligned Men and Women who fought for me, and left it all behind Fifty stars and thirteen stripes, supported by the breeze How can such a gallant sight bring some to their knees? When I choose my right to kneel, I bow my head and pray I thank God for the sacrifice that keeps me safe today A moral obligation is what I hold for you Stand up straight with a tear in my eye Always respect the RED, WHITE and BLUE The Breeze of Our Nation; You Keep US Flying Free! Reply Elizabeth K January 12, 2021 I’m rather slow with cards, so if you are reading responses online, I’d like to wish you a Happy Birthday, Raymond. Thank you for everything you have done. Reply Brian Welch January 12, 2021 Happy Birthday! Thank you for your service and the sacrifices you have faced for us all! Love from Louisiana! Reply Leave a Reply Cancel ReplyYour email address will not be published.CommentName* Email* Website This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.
Kevin Gribbon January 13, 2021 Happy Birthday Sir. Thank you for changing the world! For you and all your Brothers & Sisters. The Breeze of Our Nation My many rights and freedoms Mine to choose and hold Earned by others, bestowed to me By people brave and bold Those gold print hats across the land Oh yes, so proudly worn U.S. Vets from every branch Who served the greater cause Separated families, parted by the seas Men who meet their newborns first, already off their knees Sons and daughters grow up fast, sometimes overnight Facing unknown danger, in the darkest light Ran into battle, legs blown away We spoke briefly in an airport He said, “I would do it again today” Plain gravestones and folded flags, so perfectly aligned Men and Women who fought for me, and left it all behind Fifty stars and thirteen stripes, supported by the breeze How can such a gallant sight bring some to their knees? When I choose my right to kneel, I bow my head and pray I thank God for the sacrifice that keeps me safe today A moral obligation is what I hold for you Stand up straight with a tear in my eye Always respect the RED, WHITE and BLUE The Breeze of Our Nation; You Keep US Flying Free! Reply
Elizabeth K January 12, 2021 I’m rather slow with cards, so if you are reading responses online, I’d like to wish you a Happy Birthday, Raymond. Thank you for everything you have done. Reply
Brian Welch January 12, 2021 Happy Birthday! Thank you for your service and the sacrifices you have faced for us all! Love from Louisiana! Reply
