When we think of the gravesites of famous people, we tend to assume that they are in some Hollywood cemetery, or perhaps Arlington National Cemetery. It’s easy to assume that there’s some central resting place for the movers and shakers of the world, but that’s not necessarily the case. Some of the most influential people in history are buried with little fanfare right among the rest of us normal folks, and you might never realize it. There are a number of notable figures buried in New Hampshire, but there’s one who stands out for the unique role he played in American — and human — history.
Forest Hill Cemetery in Derry, New Hampshire, is a perfectly nice placed — well-kept and landscaped. With 16,000 gravesites, it's not exactly tiny, but, at first glance, it also doesn't stand out from the many other town graveyards in New England.
You might be surprised, therefore, to learn that this is where you'll find the memorial to one of the most significant figures in American history — the very first American to go to space, Alan Shepard.
A native of Derry, Alan Shepard fought with the Navy during WWII, after which he became a Navy test pilot. When the Space Race took off in the 50s, Shepard was recruited, along with other military pilots, to train as an astronaut.
In 1961, Shepard piloted the Mercury-Redstone 3 mission and became the first American, and second human, in space. Though he was only up there for 15 minutes, it was a momentous step forward for the American space program, and Shepard was treated as a national hero.
After that flight, Shepard was grounded for several years due to medical conditions, during which time he oversaw the astronaut training program. By 1971, he had returned to full health and was chosen to command the Apollo 14 lunar mission. It was a resounding success, and Shepard was the fifth man to step on the moon. He even hit a couple of golf balls!
After his return to Earth, Shepard continued to help oversee the astronaut program until retiring in 1974, having been promoted to Navy Rear Admiral. Devoted to his family, Shepard spent much of his retirement on family trips and adventures, and also served on a number of boards.
Sadly, Shepard died of leukemia in 1998 in Pebble Beach, California. His beloved wife Louise died of a heart attack five weeks later, at 5 p.m., the time at which Shepard had always called her when he was away from home. The two were cremated and their ashes were scattered over the sea, but their memorial plot lies with the rest of the Shepard family right here in Derry.
