CONCORD, N.H. (AP) – The lone bagpiper circled the U.S. flag folded into the traditional triangle and a pair of empty boots, rifle stuck in them with a helmet perched on top – the symbol for a fallen soldier.

As he marched, he played the final refrain of Amazing Grace as part of a Statehouse rally to show support for the nation’s deployed troops and their families at home.

More than 200 people sat in metal folding chairs or huddled in the shade, holding water bottles, in an attempt to escape scorching heat but not the moment of reflection on others’ sacrifice.

“For those who fight to protect it, freedom has a flavor that the protected will never know,” said Col. Richard Duncan, chief of staff with the New Hampshire Army National Guard. A veteran of fighting in Afghanistan, Duncan paused several times, choked with emotion.

People ask what they can do to support the troops, he said.

“The answer that always jumps into my mind is, ‘Help take care of the families.”‘ he said. Mow lawns, rake leaves, shovel driveways, he said.

“These are all ways to relieve the burdens of our families,” he said.

Soldiers leaving and returning home don’t talk about missing steps taken by their child or missing births and birthdays, said Gov. John Lynch.

“I learn about these things only by asking,” he said. “We owe to them a debt which we can never repay.” They talk instead about their pride in serving the nation, he said.

Susan Peterson of Weare urged the crowd also to support the soldiers who are missing in action or prisoners of war. She asked if anyone knew what DSWU stood for – duty station whereabouts unknown.

That’s the new term for MIA – missing in action, she said. Rather than POW – for prisoner of war – the designation “missing, captured” is used, she said.

The missing and captured want to know they have the same level of support from America, she said.

“Please remember them. Do not forget them until they all come home,” she said.

Peterson asked the crowd to pressure presidential candidates to promise to change the Defense Department designations back to the more familiar MIA and POW so the troops won’t be forgotten.

Peterson, whose son is in Iraq, read a poem, author unknown, titled “Remember My Face” in honor of Army Sgt. Matt Maupin, 20, of Batavia, Ohio. Maupin disappeared after an attack on a fuel convoy in 2004. Arab TV reported he was killed but the U.S. military lists him as missing.

“Will they come for me and free me from this fate, or will I die in this place, a victim of fanatical hate,” Peterson read. “The country I love and served with such pride; has it turned its back on me now, has it lied? Please don’t leave me behind; it would be a disgrace. My name is Matt Maupin, please remember my face.”

Lynn Savage also spoke about her son, Army Spc. Matthew Stanley of Wolfeboro, who died in Iraq in December. She urged people to continue to support not just the troops, but their mission.

The gold star bestowed on mothers of fallen soldiers isn’t something she asked for, she said.

“I will display it and wear it proudly,” she said.

AP-ES-08-24-07 1511EDT