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Description
For Memorial Day weekend, the Massachusetts Military Heroes Fund's team of volunteers planted over 37,000 flags on Boston Common. This tribute honors the sons and daughters of Massachusetts who lost their lives in service to the United States - from the Revolutionary War to today.
A
B
Thank
you
to
the
Commonwealth
brass
quintet,
215
army
band
and
good
morning
and
welcome
my
name
is
Tom
crow,
Han
and
I'm.
The
president
of
the
Massachusetts
military
heroes
fund,
an
organization
that
for
ten
years,
has
providing
comfort
and
support
to
local
families
who
have
lost
a
loved
one
in
military
service.
Since
September
11th,
along
with
my
fellow
board
members
executive
director,
Diane
Nealon
program
assistant,
Kathy
King
were
honored
to
have
so
many
of
our
families
join
us
for
this.
B
Ninth
annual
Memorial
Day
ceremony
on
Boston
Common
before
the
formal
program
begins
I
want
to
thank
our
key
supporters
whose
financial
contributions
helped
sustain
our
work.
My
company
John
Hancock
Arbella
Insurance
Bank
of
America
BNY
Mellon
EMFs
investments
and
the
New
England
Patriots
fan
foundation
a
full
list
of
our
sponsors
in
the
program.
We
are
especially
grateful
to
the
more
than
700
volunteers
from
all
walks
of
life
who
helped
build
this
flag
garden.
Yesterday,.
B
As
well
as
our
friends
and
supporters,
including
Michael
Wasserman,
Chris
Ferris,
and
their
entire
team,
Melwood
global,
the
Massachusetts
Convention
Center,
Boston
emergency
medical
services,
Boston
Parks
and
Recreation
Boston,
Water
and
Sewer,
the
Lowell
Veterans,
Center
and
Joe
O'connell
would
also
like
to
acknowledge
the
year-round
support
we
received
from
Brighton
Marine,
major-general
Keith
and
leadership,
and
casualty
survivor
and
family
programs
at
the
mast.
National
Guard
in
special
thanks
to
project
351
for
their
students,
Memorial
Day
art
that
we
will
display
for
military
families
later
today.
B
And,
of
course,
we
thank
our
distinguished
guests,
military
leaders
and
elected
officials,
including
the
governor,
the
Attorney
General,
treasurer
Goldberg,
speaker,
delaio,
and
all
those
that
join
us
here
today
for
their
spent
steadfast
support.
Not
just
today,
mayor
Walsh,
but
every
day
of
the
year,
I'd
like
to
now
ask
you
to
please
rise
for
the
presentation
of
colors
and
remain
standing
for
the
national
anthem
sung
by
Sergeant
James
Conner
of
the
Massachusetts
State
Police.
C
B
Thank
You
sergeant
Connor,
please
be
seated
as
we
approach
Memorial
Day.
This
plot
of
land
behind
me
becomes
hallowed
ground
on
Boston
Common,
America's
oldest
public
park,
where
the
colonial
militia
mustered
for
the
revolution,
where
George
Washington
came
to
celebrate
our
nation's
independence,
where
troops
gathered
during
the
Civil
War
before
traveling
to
the
southern
fronts,
where
Victory
Gardens
were
planted
during
World
War
one
and
where
iron
fencing
was
donated
for
scrap
metal
during
World
War,
two
nearly
37,000
flags
were
planted
yesterday.
Another
296
will
be
added
this
morning.
B
Each
flag
is
that
of
a
courageous
Patriot.
Each
flag
has
a
story:
each
flag
represents
a
family.
These
sons
and
daughters
of
Massachusetts
put
themselves
in
harm's
way
and
we
gather
to
pay
tribute
to
them
their
devotion
and
sacrifice
allows
us
to
continue
to
enjoy
the
freedoms
of
we
treasure
as
part
of
our
democracy.
We
remember
and
honor
them,
and
we
draw
resolve
from
their
example
to
the
families.
We
share
your
sorrow
and
also
your
pride
though
we
face
a
world
without
them
our
Commonwealth
and
our
country
has
been
strengthened
by
their
service.
B
We
will
always
hold
these
men
and
women
in
our
hearts,
and
in
doing
so,
we
have
come
together
to
express
our
deep
support
to
those
they
left
behind.
As
you
can
see
by
the
sheer
number
of
flags
behind
me,
the
Commonwealth
of
Massachusetts
is
no
stranger
to
the
sacrifices
of
war,
the
flies
cascade
down
from
the
soldiers
and
sailors
monument
built
in
the
years
following
so
the
Civil
War.
It's
plaque
reads
in
part
to
those
who
died
for
their
country
on
land
and
sea.
B
B
It
is
now
my
privilege
to
introduce
a
terrific
advocate
for
those
who
served
our
country
governor
Baker,
lieutenant
governor
Pulido
secretary
Urania
have
built
upon
our
Commonwealth's
long-standing
commitment
to
members
of
the
National
Guard
veterans
and
the
families
represented
here
this
morning.
Please
join
me
in
welcoming
the
governor
of
the
Commonwealth
of
Massachusetts
Charlie
Baker.
D
D
I
remember
the
first
time
I
was
driving
up
the
street
here
and
I
saw
these
flags
and
I
literally
pulled
over
and
came
over
to
find
out
what
it
was
and,
and
it's
a
big
statement
and
frankly,
I'm
not
surprised
other
people
in
other
parts
of
the
country
are
imitating
it
and
pursuing
something.
Similar
makes
perfect
sense
to
me.
D
D
Andrew
had
a
younger
brother
who
actually
joined
the
military
before
he
did
Jason
and
his
father
Andy
senior
also
served
in
the
military,
and
if
you
visit
their
house
in
Weymouth,
there
are
three
flags
flying
outside
their
house
every
day.
One
is
the
US
flag,
when's
the
flag
of
Massachusetts
and
the
other
one's
the
flag
of
the
US
Marine
Corps,
and
he
was
a
basketball
player
in
high
school.
D
Well,
Andy
continued
to
serve
and
as
he
approached
what
would
have
been
the
end
of
his
last
tour,
he
was
looking
forward
to
coming
home
and
settling
in
with
his
wife
and
his
two
sons
in
the
south,
which
is
where
they
had
made
their
home
and
getting
into
what
he
called
civilian
life
and,
unfortunately,
for
Andy
and
for
Tyler
and
Liam
their
two
sons
and
for
Melissa
and
for
Andy's
family.
It
was
all
going
to
turn
out
to
be
different
and
I.
D
D
And
things
for
the
most
part
seem
to
be
working
out:
okay,
but
that's
due
in
large
part,
because
Andy's
mom
and
dad
stepped
up
and
decided
to
raise
their
grandchildren
as
their
own
all
because
of
a
very
unfortunate
terrible
day
on
which
their
son
lost
his
life.
Serving
this
country
and
a
terrifying,
dangerous
scary,
place
called
Iraq
and
I.
Tell
you
that
story,
because
I
think
we
cliche
some
of
these
stories
sometimes
and
we
shouldn't.
D
D
So
today
is
very
much
about
the
flags
and
those
they
represent,
but
let's
never
forget
that
they
are
also
about
the
loved
ones
who
had
to
put
behind
the
fact
that
they
lost
somebody.
They
cared
so
deeply
about
pick
up
the
pieces
and
build
a
life
to
move
forward,
and
for
that
we
should
never
forget.
Thank
you
very
much.
B
E
Thank
you,
Tom
I,
want
to
thank
Tom
I
want
to
thank
Steve
Kerrigan
and
everyone
at
mass
military
hero
funds
for
this
incredible
day
and
and
what
you
do
every
year
to
remember
our
fallen
Governor
Baker.
Thank
you
as
well.
I
love
how
the
governor
personalizes
this
day
every
year
by
talking
about
a
family
that
has
clearly
impacted
his
life,
but
impacted
all
of
our
lives
without
even
knowing
it
secretary
yurina.
Thank
you
for
your
great
work
for
the
veterans
in
the
Commonwealth
of
Massachusetts,
speak
of
DeLeo.
E
Thank
you
for
what
you
do
as
a
leader
in
the
House
of
Representatives
in
the
legislature,
making
sure
that
Massachusetts
continues
to
honor
our
veterans
at
the
highest
level.
Thank
you
for
that
trade.
General
Healey.
Thank
you
as
well,
and
treasurer
goldberg,
lieutenant
governor
Pulido,
precious
sterling
she's,
all
sterling
from
the
city
of
Boston,
our
veterans,
commissioner
and
Commission,
and
Billy
Evans,
is
with
us
as
well
Boston
Police
Department
to
all
the
service
members
here,
veterans
and
families
of
the
Fallen
Heroes.
We
say
thank
you
for
your
sacrifice
and
thank
you
for
your
service.
E
It's
my
deep
privilege
that,
as
we
honor
men
and
women
who
made
the
ultimate
sacrifice
for
our
country,
we
honor
their
families
who
gave
so
much
and
deserve
all
of
our
support.
We
marked
their
sacrifices
in
many
ways
in
holiday
services
and
hero
squares,
with
the
support
of
gold,
star
families
and
veterans
through
the
work,
selfless
and
selfless
volunteers
who
are
so
often
drawn
from
the
ranks
of
their
comrades
and
their
family.
But
today's
event
is
unique
and
very
special.
E
They
bring
into
view
something
that's
too
often
invisible
a
sea
of
sacrifice
that
underpins
our
nation's
way
of
life.
These
flags
represent
ordinary
farmers
and
workers
who,
242
years
ago,
fought
tyranny
and
forged
a
great
nation.
They
represent
the
54th
Masterson
african-american
men
who
found
freedom
here
in
Boston,
but
offered
their
lives
to
free
the
country.
In
civil
war,
they
must
sit
in
High
Park
155
years
ago.
This
month,
these
flags
represent
men
as
young
as
high-school
students
who
volunteered
to
be
part
of
the
great
global
fight
against
fascism
in
World
War
two.
E
They
represent
our
own
neighbors,
our
own
uncles,
our
own
cousins,
our
own
parents,
our
own
children,
who
fought
in
unbelievably
difficult
circumstances
in
Korea
and
Vietnam,
Afghanistan,
Iraq
and
other
places
around
the
world.
These
humble
men
and
women
should
never
be
forgotten.
They
stand
tall
in
their
courage
and
their
sacrifice.
Alongside
the
heroes
of
our
history
books
together,
they
wrote
a
story
of
our
nation
and
made
that
future
possible
they
embody.
The
difference
is
that
America
is
unique.
Yet
today
we
can
see
clearly
in
these
flags.
E
They
share
deeper
and
more
common
things,
a
love
for
their
country
and
a
belief
that
it
was
up
to
them.
Not
someone
else
to
defend
him.
Their
example
calls
us
to
a
deeper
commitment
to
our
common
good
so
as
they
move
our
hearts
in
gratitude
and
respect,
let
our
differences
melt
away
and
let
us
nurture
the
same
core
of
selfless
humanity
and
patriotism
that
they
live
by
and
that
they
die
by.
E
Let's
teach
us
that
we
are
one
people
undivided
in
a
few
minutes
we're
going
to
hear
the
names
of
the
service
members
we
lost
since
September
11th
2001
I
want
to
thank
the
family
members
of
those
heroes.
You
and
your
loved
ones
bring
us
together
today,
as
you
have
every
year,
and
you
do
much
more.
You
bind
this
together
as
a
nation.
God
bless
our
heroes,
god
bless
those
who
love
them
and
God
bless
the
United
States
of
America.
F
This
heritage,
they
are
not
dead,
who
leave
us
this
great
heritage
of,
remember,
joy.
They
still
live
in
our
hearts
and
the
happiness
we
knew
in
the
shared
in
the
dreams
we
shared,
they
still
breathe
in
the
live
lingering
fragrance
windblown
from
their
favorite
flowers.
They
still
smile
in
the
moonlight
silver
and
laugh
in
the
sunlight
sparkling
gold.
They
still
speak
in
the
echoes
of
words,
we've
heard
them
say
again
and
again
they
still
move
in
the
rhythm
of
waving
grasses.
In
the
dance
of
tossing
branches,
they
are
not
dead.
F
H
I'm
thinking
good
morning,
I've
been
asked
that
any
of
the
family
members
who
are
planting
flags
to
take
your
places
here
to
my
left
good
morning,
ladies
and
gentlemen,
my
name
is
Francisco.
Ureña
I
have
the
honor
and
privilege
of
being
secretary
to
the
Massachusetts
Department
of
Veteran
services,
on
behalf
of
our
three
hundred
and
sixty-five
thousand
veterans
and
all
of
our
veterans
service
officers
across
this
Commonwealth.
Thank
you
and
welcome
to
Governor
Baker
Lieutenant
Governor
Pulido,
our
constitutional
officers,
general
Keith,
and
to
all
of
the
gold
star
families
here
and
everywhere.
H
Thank
you
and
good
morning.
It
is
an
honor
to
be
with
you
all
here
this
morning
and
our
friends
at
the
Massachusetts
military
heroes
fund
I
had
the
privilege
of
introducing
the
most
sacred
part
of
the
program,
an
annual
tradition
in
the
Commonwealth,
the
roll
call
of
the
names
of
every
husband,
wife,
son
daughter,
mother,
father,
brother
sister,
aunt
uncle
niece,
nephew,
cousin
grandchild,
neighbor
and
friend,
who
voluntarily
answer
the
call
of
duty
since
September
11th
2001
by
putting
on
an
Armed,
Forces,
uniform
and
giving
their
life
in
service
to
our
country.
H
It
is
through
traditions
such
as
these
and
the
reading
of
these
names
that
we
fulfill
our
vow
to
remember
and
honor
their
ultimate
sacrifice
today
and
always-
and
it
is
important
that
we
remember
every
flag
here-
has
a
name
every
flag
here
has
the
name
such
as
private,
first
class
Francis
Drake,
who
75
years
ago,
died
in
the
island
of
Guadalcanal,
a
young
man
from
Springfield.
What
I
like
to
think
would
be
95
today
if
he
was
among
us.
Sadly,
his
remains
where
he
perished.
His
remains
were
just
recently
identified.
H
He
came
home
to
the
Commonwealth
last
night,
where
he
would
be
interred
at
our
Guam
cemetary,
and
it
is
important
to
remember
that
we
have
many
families
who
share
the
same
fate.
2300
others
whose
remains
have
yet
to
be
accounted
for.
These
flags
represent
them
as
well.
Please
remain
silent
as
I
call
forth
the
dear
family
and
friends
of
our
brave
heroes
to
read
the
names
of
their
loved
ones
as
we
plan
a
final
flag
in
their
honor
completing
the
memorial
they
flag
tribute.
Thank
you.
I
AO
On
behalf
of
the
families
and
on
behalf
of
the
Massachusetts
military
heroes
fund,
I
want
to
thank
you
all
for
coming
today
and
for
the
public
that
stopped
by.
We
hope
you'll
encourage
your
friends
and
family
to
come.
Look
at
this
garden
of
flags
this
weekend
and
acknowledge
it
for
what
it
is
a
way
to
honor
the
fallen,
the
37,000
more
than
37,000
lives
as
a
result
of
service
to
our
country
since
the
Revolutionary
War.
AO
So
we
ask
you
to
remind
your
friends
and
family
that
there's
no
happy
and
Memorial
Day.
You
can
have
a
fun
weekend
but
remember
on
Monday,
not
to
say
happy,
Memorial,
Day,
but
to
say
honor
and
remember
those
who
sacrificed
for
our
safety
and
for
our
freedom.
So
we
thank
you
all
for
coming
today
and
for
family
members.