New Hampshire National Guard specialist, 21, drowns

NEW HAMPSHIRE — The New Hampshire National Guard announced on Sunday that one of their own drowned on May 30.

Spc. Pamela Anne Usanase, 21, drowned after being overwhelmed by strong currents and deep water along the Merrimack River at Pebble Beach in Canterbury, New Hampshire, according to the NH National Guard.

Usanase was a culinary specialist with the 3643rd Brigade Support Battalion.

“Pamela was a focused and dedicated soldier with a promising future in our organization,” said NH Adjutant Gen. David Mikolaities.

“She was admired and respected by her fellow guardsmen. Please keep Pamela’s family and friends in your thoughts and prayers during this very difficult time.”

Since April 25, Usanase had been assigned to the New Hampshire Food Bank for COVID-19 relief operations. She was part of a team of 28 New Hampshire guardsmen that had prepared more than 43,500 meals for families in need.

Usanase also worked part-time with her mom and sisters as a mental health worker at the New Hampshire State Hospital, and at the Genesis HealthCare Pleasant View Center in Concord as an assistant registered nurse.

She was a senior at Plymouth State College studying Allied Health Sciences, where she was named to the President’s List last year.

Usanase was planning to become an occupational health therapist after earning a master’s degree. She also wanted to become an officer in the New Hampshire Army National Guard.

Usanase is survived by her parents and four siblings.

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