WILMOT — There has always been a strong connection between the Mount Kearsarge area communities and the crews of her namesake ships. On November 9, eight crew members of the USS Kearsarge (LHD-3), a Wasp-class amphibious assault ship, resumed a longstanding tradition by climbing the slopes of Mount Kearsarge.

Then on Veterans Day, November 11, the men and women of the crew were invited to participate in activities sponsored by the American Legion, at the New London Baptist Church. Captain Sean P. Knight, Commanding Officer of the USS Kearsarge, gave the Veterans Day speech, and everyone was invited to greet the crew after the ceremony. At this time, Liz Kirby, president of the Wilmot Historical Society, presented to Captain Knight an autographed copy of the book Mount Kearsarge by Larry Sullivan and Mimi Wiggin of Warner.

The gift is significant because it contains much information about the history of the USS Kearsarge. A sloop of war, the original Kearsarge was built and launched at the Portsmouth (New Hampshire) Naval Shipyard in 1861. Much of its lumber came from Mount Kearsarge and surrounding areas, and most of her crew of 160 were from New Hampshire. 

The first USS Kearsarge defeated the CSS Alabama in a battle in 1864. Since then, three other Naval ships have been given that name. The third one, however, was renamed the Hornet before launching.