Loudon Veteran’s Daughter Recalls his Service

Janice-Ann Sinclair with her parents, Msgt. Merrill Wentworth Sinclair and Lois (Kibbee) Sinclair.

Each year on Veterans Day, Janice-Ann Sinclair thinks about her father. A master sergeant in the Air Force for 21 years, followed by two years in the Navy Reserves, Merrill Wentworth Sinclair felt pride in serving his country.

He passed away in 2019 at the age of 84. Now, his daughter wants his legacy to be remembered, along with the legacy of all those who have served.

“Celebrating Veteran’s Day is giving thanks to all the veterans who did what they did to keep our country safe,” Sinclair said.

Born in Lynn, Massachusetts, Merrill Sinclair’s family moved to New Hampshire while he was young. He enlisted in the military while still attending Concord High School. For him, it was the start of an entire career.

Master Sergeant Merrill Wentworth Sinclair. Courtesy

“He got his degree in the military. Nowadays you can’t do that. You have to have a degree first. But back then, that’s how he did it,” Janice-Ann Sinclair said.

Merrill was stationed in Thailand during the Vietnam War, including when Janice-Ann and her brothers were young.

“He enjoyed being in the service. He went to different parts of the world,” she said.

He also had a playful side and sought to bring a smile to those around him.

“When we were stationed in New York, he used to play Santa Claus,” Janice-Ann recalled. “He used to play Santa Claus for all the captains and colonels and go to their houses and play Santa Claus for their kids.”

Her father served while Sinclair was growing up. She remembers him appreciating the opportunity to travel and connect with those around him.

“I was honored to have a have a father who served his country,” she said. “Him and my mom, they used to clean base house. They did base housing and stuff for different things. And that was their life. They enjoyed the life,” she said.

Master Sergeant Merrill Wentworth Sinclair served 21 years in the Air Force – and two years in the Navy Reserves. He and his wife, Lois (Kibbee) Sinclair got married in 1956. They were married for 64 years. Courtesy

After traveling the world and living in many places for his job, the master sergeant settled in Loudon, where his daughter still lives. Once he retired from the military in the early 1970s, Merrill worked for several places in the area, including Cambion in Pittsfield, Concord Hospital, and the New Hampshire Motor Speedway. He also participated in the American Legion and built a community for himself there. He and some of his friends used to organize a multi-day carnival in Loudon each summer.

“For Veteran’s Day, when he was in the Legion, they used to have a Veteran’s Day parade. He used to march in that,” she said.

On Veteran’s Day, but really every day, she wants her father and his fellow service members to be respected and remembered.

“Veterans back then didn’t get half the credit they do today,” she added. “They should have got a lot more credit, like how the veterans today are doing. I honor them very highly.”

Rachel Wachman can be reached at rwachman@cmonitor.com

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