THE EAGLE-TRIBUNE

TO THE EDITOR:

Local hero Robert Rogers was the topic of an October 2006 Jill Harmacinski story in the Eagle-Tribune. The term “Rangers” is used to celebrate his “contribution” to society. There is Ranger Road, Ranger Plaza, emblems on uniforms, and the nickname of the Methuen High School sports teams. But just what are we celebrating here?

On October 4, 1759, Rogers and his Rangers (some 200 men) attacked the Abenaki village of St. Francis in Canada, burning its inhabitants in their homes as they slept. Rogers claimed he killed 200 that day, but French records listed “only” 30 dead, twenty of whom were women and children.

According to Methuen Historical Commission Chair Glenn Gaudreau, quoted in the Oct. ‘06 story, those who feel that celebrating this man’s “achievements” is disrespectful to Native people should “get a life.” Apparently the opinions of Native people aren’t considered valid by the Methuen Historical Commission. It is apparent that the history the Commission is interested in preserving is their own version.

Robert Rogers was no patriot. He was a vigilante and an Indian killer who was arrested for treason in 1768 and court-martialed. A decade later Gen. George Washington, suspecting that Rogers held Tory sympathies, had him arrested. Upon his escape in 1776 Rogers formed the Loyalist Queen's Rangers, fighting for the British in the American Revolution. He was eventually relieved of command after his unit was routed and he returned to London where he died in 1795.

This man was a coward, a murderer, and a traitor—to both sides.

Let’s teach our children the real history of this country and stop celebrating war and death.

PETER SANFAÇON

NEW ENGLAND ANTI-MASCOT COALITION

April 9, 2007