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From YouTube: 2023 Greater Boston Stand Down
Description
Veterans Stand Down is an annual event hosted by The New England Center and Home for Veterans (NECHV) that provides vast services to local veterans. For the 2023 Veterans Stand Down, which coincided with POW/MIA Recognition Day, Mayor Wu joined NECHV and the Office of Veterans' Services for a day of honoring and aiding the veterans in the Boston Community.
For Promo Visit: https://youtu.be/ywyakIx0r0k
C
C
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D
E
A
A
It's
very
important
to
important
to
have
and
to
keep
it
here
at
City,
Hall
Plaza.
There
is
no
better
place
because
here
at
Government
Center
there
are
many.
Oh
yes,
please,
please
see,
please
be
seated.
There
are
many
other
services
just
feets
away
from
the
stand
down.
Of
course,
we
have
City
Hall.
We
have
the
JFK
building
just
right
behind
it.
The
McCormick
building
up
the
hill
with
many
other
state
services
and
many
other
services
just
located
in
this
geographic
area.
A
Stand
Downs
like
this,
do
not
happen
in
a
silo.
It
takes
a
village
and
for
this
stand
down,
the
community
includes
all
of
our
service
providers.
Here
today,
we
all
work
together
to
give
our
veterans
a
better
quality
of
life.
Every
service
here
is
a
pathway,
a
pathway
to
employment,
a
pathway
to
housing,
a
path
to
benefits.
You
may
not
have
been
aware
of,
like
Mass
General
Law
chapter
115..
A
Giving
a
hand
up
the
providers
here
today
work
hard
every
day
to
break
down
barriers.
They
work
hard,
so
our
veterans
and
their
families
can
have
access
to
and
receive
the
services
and
benefits
that
they
have
earned
and
not
just
today,
once
these
tents
come
down
this
afternoon,
the
services
and
benefits
will
and
must
continue.
A
We
will
continue
to
strive
to
give
our
veterans
and
their
families
a
better
quality
of
life.
I
urge
everyone
to
take
advantage
of
these
Services
here
today
and
to
follow
up
with
and
all
the
providers
that
you
visited
here
today
and
for
the
providers
as
well.
I
expect
that
you
will
not
lose
contact
with
these
Veterans,
as
the
veterans
will
do
they
everything
they
can
to
keep
contact
with
you
as
well.
A
A
F
B
I'm
Andy,
McCauley
and
behalf
of
the
dedicated
and
professional
team
here
at
the
New,
England,
Center
and
home
for
veterans
I
want
to
welcome
everyone
to
today's
Greater
Boston
veterans,
Stand
Down.
It
is
doubly
special
to
be
holding
the
stand
down
on
National
prisoner
of
war
missing
an
accurate
action
recognition
day.
B
B
Thank
you,
mayor
Wu,
commissioner
Santiago,
for
again
hosting
the
Greater
Boston
veterans
stand
down
here
at
Boston's,
Center,
City,
Hall,
Plaza,
A,
fitting
and
the
premier
venue
to
honor
military
service
and
to
provide
a
day
of
services
to
those
who
have
served
your
honor,
the
city
of
Boston
is
the
best
place
to
live
for
veterans
because
there
are
your
leadership
and
support.
Thank
you.
B
This
is
actually
the
sixth
veteran
stand
down
here
on
the
Plaza
and
the
ninth
that
the
center
has
had
has
coordinated
over
the
last
10
years.
We
had
to
take
a
break
for
Kobe,
but
we're
really
back
and
we're
really
excited,
although
the
New
England
Center
serves
as
the
overall
coordinator
for
the
event
and
I
want
to
specifically
recognize
Miss
Victoria,
buffano
and
Miss
Ali
pastori
for
their
year-long
work
and
Leadership.
B
Thank
you.
As
commissioner
Santiago
said,
the
stand
on
requires
a
team
to
make
it
a
reality:
a
team
of
volunteers,
public
and
private
organizations,
providers
and
businesses
that
each
play
a
crucial
part.
Thank
you
to
all
each
and
every
one
of
you
is
a
key
participant
and
I
could
not
begin
to
list
all
the
wonderful
organizations
that
have
come
together
today,
but
I
would
like
to
call
out
just
a
few
as
a
sampling
of
the
commitment
to
veterans
in
their
welfare.
B
B
B
Of
course,
the
U.S
Department
of
Veterans
Affairs
and
the
Massachusetts
executive
office
of
veteran
services
are
critical
and
important
allies.
Thank
you
very
much
for
all
that
you
do
every
single
day
for
veterans.
I
want
to
close
again
by
saying
to
All,
Veterans
and
their
families.
Thank
you
for
your
service.
F
The
honorable
James
D
Rodriguez
is
the
U.S
Department
of
Labor's
assistant,
Secretary
of
Veterans
employment
and
training,
he's
responsible
for
preparing
America's
veterans
service
members
and
their
spouses
for
Meaningful
careers.
Mr
Rodriguez
is
an
executive
leader
and
proud
veteran
with
more
than
30
years
of
experience
in
the
U.S
government.
G
Good
morning,
everybody
so,
on
behalf
of
the
entire
department
of
labor
of
Veteran
deployment,
training
service
out
of
Washington
to
see
but
most
important,
our
folks
with
boots
on
the
ground
here
in
the
Grant
City
of
Boston
I,
want
to
thank
you
all
for
the
opportunity
to
come
and
experience
this
mayor.
Thank
you
for
taking
your
time
and
coming
out
because
I
know
it's
extremely
important
for
people
to
see
their
leadership
buying
into
what
we
do
for
our
veterans
every
day
and,
of
course,
the
New
England
Center.
G
So
thank
you
Andy
for
giving
me
the
invitation
to
come
and
do
this
I
wear
my
hat
proudly
as
you
all
could
tell
I
served
in
the
Marine
Corps
for
21
years.
But
when
you
look
across
this
entire
country,
I
see
some
people
saying
no,
that's
exactly
what
we're
supposed
to
do.
When
you
get
around
veterans,
that's
exactly
what
veterans
do
right!
We
talk
about
why
it's
important
to
make
sure
that
we
all
recognize
the
fact
that
we
are
still
one
team
and
one
fight
when
it
comes
to
doing
what's
best
for
our
veterans.
G
But
we
can't
do
this
without
our
volunteers.
We
can
do
this
without
our
city,
committing
to
something
that
is
inherently
important
and
that's
serving
those
who
served.
Those
who
raised
their
right
hand
and
said:
choose
me:
I'll,
be
the
one
who,
when
called,
will
answer
the
call
of
duty,
whether
it's
at
home
or
abroad,
and
yet
oftentimes.
G
That
call
us
never
unanswered
when
they
come
back
and
they
need
a
job
or
when
they
need
support
services,
and
so
that's
why
we
at
Department
of
Labor
in
partners
with
our
local
Partners
at
the
city
at
the
state
level.
That's
what
we
gather
together
to
assure
that
they
do
have
those
resources
when
they
do
need
them.
What's
inherently
important,
though,
is
that
we
understand
the
value
of
that
service,
whether
they
serve
one
year,
20
years
or
30
years,
but
what's
important
is
that
they
actually
served.
G
We
also
have
heard
the
data
that
only
one
percent
of
people
in
the
United
States
actually
serve.
So
it's
important
for
us
to
recognize
the
fact
that
we
do
have
an
obligation
to
continue
to
support
them
when
they
need
our
service,
the
most
and
oftentimes.
That's
when
they're
in
the
most
need.
So
having
volunteers
having
a
community
together,
having
organizations
come
together
shows
where
our
strength
in
this
country
lies
oftentimes.
G
When
you
hear
that
sometimes
we
are
divided
as
a
nation,
but
when
you
come
out
here,
and
you
see
everybody
coming
together
from
the
community,
you
understand
how
important
it
is
to
come
together
when
we
need
it
the
most,
and
these
are
type
of
events
that
remind
us
why
we
are
in
a
country
that
values
our
veterans
and
their
service
and,
of
course,
our
military
families
oftentimes
our
military
families.
Our
military
spouses,
are
are
forgotten
when
it
comes
to
the
support.
G
That's
required,
and
one
of
the
things
that
we
do
at
our
agency
is
assure
that
they
are
part
of
the
conversation
and
so
with
that
I
would
again
thank
everybody.
Thank
the
volunteers,
but
most
important
thank
the
veterans
who
have
the
trust
and
confidence
in
the
city,
the
trust
and
confidence
and
the
volunteers
and
the
organizations
who
put
this
together
to
do
what's
best
for
them
and
provide
the
resources
that
they
need
when
they
need
them
and
it's
indeed
an
honor
to
come
out
of
Washington
DC
and
see
what's
happening
at
our
states.
G
So
I
can
go
back
and
tell
our
leaders
in
Washington
DC
the
great
work
that
you
are
doing.
Why
we
provide
funding
for
these
programs
and
the
continuous
need
for
these
programs.
So
thank
you
all
for
giving
me
a
few
minutes
to
share
my
thoughts,
but
also
to
spend
a
little
bit
of
time
with
everybody
today.
So
thank
you.
All
foreign.
F
H
Secretary
Rodriguez
mayor
who
commissioner
Santiago
Captain
McCauley
our
partner
veterans
service
organizations
here
with
us
today,
Veterans
families
and
friends.
Thank
you
for
joining
us
and
working
together
to
provide
the
care
and
services
veterans
have
earned
at
VA.
We
work
every
day
to
fulfill
Lincoln's
promise
to
care
for
those
who
have
borne
the
battle
and
their
families,
caregivers
and
survivors,
providing
homeless
and
at-risk
Veterans
with
accessible
world-class
Health
Care
can
be
a
challenge
in
a
world
of
Telehealth
and
virtual
care.
H
There
are
those
that
still
need
in-person
appointments
and
on-site
care,
providing
resources,
education
and
advocacy,
VA
Boston
Works
to
ensure
homeless
veterans
remains
safe
and
healthy,
while
navigating
challenging
times
between
VA,
the
Commonwealth
of
Massachusetts,
the
city
of
Boston
and
our
other
partners.
Here
today
we
have
the
care
and
services.
These
veterans
need
our
ability
to
work
with
our
Community
Partners
creates
last
and
impact
for
some
of
the
most
vulnerable
veterans.
H
H
It's
all
here,
thanks
to
our
group
efforts-
and
we
are
here
today
to
connect
the
available
care
and
services
with
the
veterans
that
need
them
most,
because
no
veteran
should
be
without
a
place
to
feel
safe
and
warm,
and
every
veteran
should
have
access
to
the
benefits
they
have
earned
to
everyone
here
today.
Helping
make
this
happen.
Thank
you.
It's
an
honor
to
be
here
today
with
you
serving
our
veterans.
Thank
you.
H
F
F
Thank
you,
Miss
Conway,
Council
Flynn
represents
the
city
of
Boston's
District
2
and
serves
as
the
president
of
the
city
council.
Council
Flynn
exemplifies
the
idea
of
lifelong
service
to
his
community
in
our
nation.
He
serves
for
a
quarter
of
a
century
in
the
U.S
Navy
and
Navy
Reserves,
and
is
a
veteran
of
operation
enduring
freedom
and
deployed
in
support
of
disaster
relief
efforts
in
Haiti.
F
His
personal
engagement
and
leadership
are
impactful
across
the
city,
but
normal,
no
more
so
than
here
at
the
center
and
in
support
of
the
veterans
here,
whether
advocating
for
federal
resources
or
personally
delivering
coven
protective
equipment
to
the
center
at
the
height
of
the
pandemic,
counselor
Flynn
makes
every
difference
the
city
and
its
veterans
are
lucky
to
have
his
leadership.
Please
welcome
me.
Please
excuse
me:
please
welcome
Boston
City
councilor
president
Ed
Flint.
I
Okay,
thank
you,
I'm
honored,
to
be
here
and
honored
to
be
with
colleagues
in
government,
including
mayor
Wu,
commissioner
Santiago,
the
chair
of
the
veterans
committee
on
at
the
city,
council
and
Aaron
Murphy
I,
just
want
to
thank
all
three
of
them
for
always
being
a
strong
Advocate
and
supporter
for
veterans
in
military
families
across
really
across
great
of
Austin.
So
I
really
appreciate
that
strong
leadership
from
all
three.
I
I
wasn't
sure
what
I
would
say
today
coming
coming
here
on
this
National
pow
Mia
day,
but
that's
certainly
an
incredibly
important
day
as
we
remember
those
families
that
also
pay
the
Supreme
sacrifice
would
be
a
loved
one,
and
we
also
want
to
recognize
our
gold
star.
Families
that
are
here
chose
the
incredible
sacrifice
you
have
made
for
our
for
our
country,
but
I
also
want
to
just
reflect
a
little
bit
on
some
of
the
previous
speakers
and
it's
good
to
be
with
you,
Mr
secretary
as
well,
in
in
this
city.
I
I
You
know
by
the
way,
we're
going
to
cut
your
budget
because
you
really
are
not
a
priority,
so
that
was
probably
my
worst
day
in
city
government
in
six
years,
but
thankfully
veterans
stood
up
and
they
veterans
across
the
country
they
stood
up
and
they
said
we
shouldn't
have
cut
the
vet.
The
budget
25
cents,
never
mind
a
million
dollars.
We
should
have
cut
it
five
cents
and
we
received
calls
from
all
over
the
country.
If
it
can
happen
in
the
most
Progressive
city
in
America,
it
can
happen
anywhere,
I
guess.
I
My
point
of
the
story
is:
let's
not
just
thank
veterans
on
Veterans
Day
for
their
service,
let's
Advocate
every
day
to
make
sure
that
those
services
are
always
there
that
our
elected
officials
know
how
important
someone
like
commissioner
Santiago
is
doing.
How
important
that
department
is
for
the
city
of
Boston.
Those
departments
are
to
the
state
of
Massachusetts
and
to
the
federal
government
as
well,
so
let's
Advocate
together
in
support
of
veterans
because
we're
not
giving
them
anything
if
they've
earned
that
and
I'm
proud
to
engage
in.
I
I
A
Thank
you,
Council
Flynn,
for
your
for
all
of
your
remarks,
ladies
and
gentlemen.
Now
it
takes,
it
gives
me
great
pleasure
and
an
honor
to
have
you
all
join
me
welcoming
our
mayor,
which
has
a
city
council
president,
said,
is
a
huge
advocate
and
supporter
of
our
veterans,
and
she
has
proven
results.
Ladies
and
Gentlemen,
please
welcome
mayor
Michelle,
Wu.
J
Good
morning,
everyone
thank
you
so
much
for
your
presence
today
for
your
insistence
on
being
here
when
you
could
be
anywhere
and
for
as
council.
President
Flynn
mentioned
your
advocacy
every
single
day,
not
just
in
the
moments
where
there
are
a
lot
of
people
coming
together
and
and
cameras
and
speaking
program,
but
in
the
day-to-day
24
7
work
that
happens
in
this
city.
J
J
We're
also
joined
today
here
by
other
colleagues
in
our
cabinet
at
City
Hall,
the
chief
of
Human
Services,
Jose
maso,
who
oversees
this
commission
and
many
others
that
provide
Direct
Services
to
every
generation
of
Bostonian.
Thank
you,
our
chief
of
housing,
Sheila
Dillon,
whose
work
is
critical
and
is
the
often
the
first
call,
no
matter
what
time
of
night
when
there
is
someone
in
need
in
our
city
and
we're
so
honored
to
be
joined
by
our
partners
and
leaders
at
the
federal
and
the
state
level
and
in
our
advocacy
Community
across
Boston.
J
So
thank
you
so
much
Mr
secretary,
thank
you
to
Deputy,
executive
director
Conway
and
to
everyone
representing
our
state
government
as
well.
I
will
Echo
what
Andy
McCauley
said
that
Boston
is
the
very
best
city
when
it
comes
to
standing
up
for
veterans,
and
that
requires
a
vigilance
day
in
and
day
out,
but
it
is
because
of
this
constellation
of
organizations
that
we
make
that
possible.
J
Today
we
get
a
glimpse
of
what
that
looks.
Like
The
Stand
Down
happens
in
one
central
location,
where
veterans
and
their
family
members
and
Community
can
connect
with
more
than
a
hundred
organizations
that
offer
housing
assistance,
Medical,
Care,
Wellness
programs,
legal
support,
employment
assistance
and
everything
in
between
too
often
services
and
opportunities
may
exist,
but
they're
across
the
city
or
across
the
state
it's
hard
to
get
to,
and
you
might
not
even
know
what
is
available
to
address
the
very
need
that
your
family
is
experiencing.
J
That's
why
I'm
so
grateful
to
the
New,
England,
Center
and
home
for
Veterans
for
hosting
this
event
year
after
year
and
for
making
sure
that
24
hours
a
day
there
is
an
accessible
place
where
our
veterans
can
find
that
dignity,
support
and
services
that
they
need.
I'm
really
excited
that
this
year,
we're
back
on
on
this
side
of
City
Hall
Plaza.
Last
year,
all
of
the
bricks
were
ripped
up
and
it
was
fenced
off
as
we
were
reconstructing
the
plasma.
J
I
want
to
say
a
little
word
additional
word
about
where
we
are
obviously
we're
in
the
the
shadow
of
Boston
City
Hall.
There
are
mixed
reviews
of
the
appearance
of
the
building,
but
I
anyway,
I'm
not
going
to
pick
that
fight
today,
I
love,
the
building,
I
think
it's
architecturally,
a
gem
I
know
there
are
many
buildings
in
DC
that
are
kind
of
like
this
style
as
well
Department
of
Labor,
one
of
those
similar,
but
one
feature
of
this
building
and
the
unique
time
period
that
it
was
built
in.
J
It
really
was
supposed
to
be
about
transparency
at
a
time
when
so
many
of
the
other
official
buildings
were
made
of
marble,
columns
and
and
big
entryways.
That
made
you
feel
as
small
as
possible
when
you
went
in
and
coming
from
an
immigrant
family
I
know.
I
always
felt
like
do.
I
quite
belong
here
is
this.
You
know
it's
too
fancy.
For
me.
J
This
building
was
made
of
concrete
the
material
that
any
anyone
Pours
and
can
see
across
the
city
and
every
bit
of
its
shape
was
designed
so
that
you
could
see
exactly
what
was
happening
on
the
other
side
of
it.
There's
no
fake
ceilings.
Everything
goes
all
the
way
up
to
the
top.
You
see
every
bit
of
function
reflected
you
see
those
funny
kind
of
cut
out
shapes
right
above
the
door.
J
Those
are
the
seats
in
the
Boston
city
council
chamber,
so
you
can
see
even
before
you
go
in
the
very
places
where
our
democracy
happens
and
I
bring
all
this
up
to
say
to
talk
about
the
bricks,
a
little
where
we
all
are
sitting
or
standing.
One
feature
of
the
building
is
to
really
make
clear
that
this
is
the
People's
Building
and
if
you
go
inside,
we've
recently
made
the
entrance
accessible.
The
whole
first
floor
in
the
first
area
are
bricks
as
well.
J
Inside
the
building-
and
that
was
meant
to
create
a
sense
that
you
are
supposed
to
be
out
here
everywhere,
you
see
the
red
brick
that
represents
Boston
and
New
England
Everywhere
You
belong
on
those
bricks
out
here
you
belong
on
those
bricks
in
there
as
well.
It
is
one
continuous
connection
for
our
residents
to
be
part
of
and
to
own
everything
that
happens
in
these
buildings,
and
so
that's
why
it's
important
for
us
to
be
here
on
this
Plaza
today.
J
J
J
Today
we
are
marking
National
pow
Mia
recognition
day
and
on
this
day
and
every
day
we
hold
them
in
our
hearts.
We
offer
our
deepest
gratitude
to
them
and
to
their
families,
who
carried
the
sacrifice
every
day
and
so
on.
Behalf
of
the
entire
city
of
Boston.
I
am
grateful
for
the
service
of
all
our
troops,
I
salute
them
and
their
families,
and
it
is
with
great
pride
that,
on
behalf
of
the
entire
city
I
issue,
this
official
Proclamation,
declaring
today
p-o-w-m-I-a
day
here
in
the
city
of
Boston,.
J
I'll
just
read
a
little
bit
from
the
proclamation.
I
won't
read
all
of
it,
but
we
know
that
over
more
than
14
sorry,
more
than
140
000
service
members
have
been
captured
by
enemy
forces.
Since
World
War
One
over
80
000
Americans,
who
fought
in
those
Wars,
are
still
missing
and
of
those
80
000
Americans
still
missing
in
action.
J
More
than
three
thousand
are
residents
of
Massachusetts,
so,
whereas
Boston
is
proud
to
support
its
residents,
who
answer
the
nation's
Call
to
Arms
in
defending
our
safety
and
freedoms,
providing
services
and
support
to
Veterans
families
and
surviving
family
members,
and
whereas
Boston
has
a
long
tradition
of
raising
the
pow
Mia
flag
to
commemorate
pow
Mia
recognition
day
supporting
its
veterans
within
the
community.
Now,
therefore,
I
shall
Wu
do
hereby
Proclaim
September
15
2023
to
be
pow
Mia
recognition
day
in
the
city
of
Boston.
J
I've
heard
all
fellow
bostonians
to
join
us
in
recognizing
the
honor
Services
sacrifice
of
our
prisoners
of
war
and
those
missing
in
action
and
I
order.
The
property
managed
Department
of
the
Incredible,
the
Incredible
team.
We
have
here
to
raise
the
pow
Mia
flag
on
the
third
flag
poll
on
City
Hall
Plaza
in
place
of
the
city
of
Boston
flag,
foreign.
C
A
Thank
you,
madam
mayor,
for
your
words
and
for
the
proclamation
and
thank
you
Daniel
once
again
for
a
great
rendition
of
God
Bless
America.
Now
we're
going
to
transition
into
our
pow
Mia
recognition
ceremony,
but
before
I
do
I
have
something
for
secretary
Rodriguez
a
little
bit
earlier.
He
had
mentioned
that
he
wears
his
Marine
Corps
hat
very,
very
proudly
he's
a
21-year,
Marine
Corps
veteran.
So
thank
you
for
your
servicer,
but
I.
Think
today
is
only
fitting
that
you
wear
a
city
of
Boston
Veterans
Services
had.
A
So,
ladies
and
gentlemen,
good
afternoon,
welcome
now
to
the
2023
prisoners
of
war
and
missing
inaction.
Recognition
ceremony.
Thank
you
for
joining
us
as
we
reflect
upon
the
extraordinary
sacrifices
made
on
behalf
of
our
country
by
former
American
prisoners
of
War,
as
well
as
those
who
are
still
missing
and
accounted
for
unaccounted
for.
A
All
Americans
should
never
forget,
never
forget
the
brave
men
and
women
who
answered
our
nation's
call
and
served
the
cause
of
freedom
in
a
very
special
way.
Today,
as
you
have
seen
behind
me,
the
pod
M.I.A
flag,
a
pow
Mia
flag,
is
raised
and
flying
high.
We
pledge
to
live
by
its
Creed.
You
are
not
forgotten.
A
We
are
committed
to
our
pows
and
to
the
fullest
possible
accounting
of
our
missing
and
their
families
from
all
wars
and
all
of
our
nation's
past
conflicts,
just
as
we
are
committed
to
those
who
wore
and
continue
to
wear
the
uniform.
Today,
no
other
country
has
devoted
as
much
energy
and
so
many
resources
to
account
for
his
Fallen.
A
Here
in
the
United
States,
we
have
a
federally
funded
agency,
dedicated
to
bringing
back
all
of
our
heroes
back
home.
The
defense
pow
Mia
agency
dpaa
is
an
agency's
whose
sole
mission
is
to
recover
American
military
personnel
listed
as
prisoners
of
war
or
missing
in
action
from
past
conflicts
and
countries
around
the
world.
A
We
have
a
particular
chair
that
we
set
out
every
day.
You
can
see
one
here
call
the
chair
of
Honor.
You
have
seen
chairs
like
this
in
other
places
such
as
Fenway
Park
and
a
TD
Garden.
This
particular
chair
is
set
behind
me
in
City
Hall.
It
is
a
symbol
to
those
who
have
served
or
still
serving
or
a
military
family,
that
their
service
will
never
be
forgotten.
A
Joe
detrimance,
a
Boston
resident
who
was
founder
and
former
president
of
Rolling
Thunder
Inc
ma1,
has
dedicated
his
life
to
ensuring
that
these
chairs
are
seen
throughout
our
country.
Joe
himself
is
responsible
for
100
shares
of
honor
and
being
placed
throughout
the
Commonwealth.
This
includes
Gillette
Stadium,
the
TD
Garden
Fenway
Park,
and
here
in
Boston
City
Hall.
A
A
We
must
uphold
the
legacy
of
those
service.
Members
left
unaccounted
for
and
continue
our
commitment
to
our
former
prisons
of
War.
As
we
honor
all
former
prisoners
of
War.
It
must
be
stated
that
these
Heroes
have
endured
one
of
the
greatest
challenges,
especially
for
Americans,
and
that
is
the
loss
of
personal
freedom.
A
A
A
A
dpaa
historian
believed
that
the
set
of
remains
could
possibly
be
Huns
and
in
September
of
2021
The
Remains
at
Sicily,
home
American
cemetery
was
disinterred
and
sent
to
the
dpaa
laboratory
at
Air,
Force
Base
in
Nebraska
The
Remains
were
formally
identified
as
Hans
on
April
6
of
this
year.
2023
Wing,
oh
home,
will
be
repatriated
to
the
United
States
next
month.
A
A
A
D
K
Thank
you
rob
for
inviting
me
to
speak
today
and
welcome
to
everyone.
Our
federal
elected
officials,
especially
mayor
Wu,
and
our
president
of
the
city
council,
Ed
Flynn
for
78
years.
Gold,
star
wives
of
America,
has
been
a
support
group
for
the
spouses
who
have
lost
their
wife
or
husband
due
to
their
military
service.
K
K
We
represent
all
eras
of
military
service,
whether
the
loss
for
the
family
was
in
the
line
of
duty
while
on
duty
or
due
to
a
service-connected
disability
gold.
Star
Waters
is
a
unique
organization
providing
services
not
otherwise
provided
and
received
a
congressional
Charter
in
1980.
as
a
national,
veteran
service
organization.
K
Greater
Boston
chapter
is
our
second
oldest
chapter
in
the
United
States.
We
have
about
170
members,
but
we're
unique.
Our
objective
is
not
to
grow,
but
to
be
there
when
families
need
us,
the
cost
of
our
membership
is
too
high.
We
strive
to
assist
our
members
in
any
way
possible
to
provide
support
and
information.
K
Our
organization
is
also
one
of
service
and
community.
We
volunteer
to
serve
veterans
and
veterans,
hospitals,
the
homeless,
shelter.
We
do
several
programs
with
them
and
we
staff
community
events
and
we
seek
to
help
help.
Our
members
retain
a
social
connection
which
they
often
lose
when
they
lose
their
spouse,
and
so
we
attend
also
many
Memorial
services
like
today.
K
We
want
to
be
sure
that
people
say
their
names,
that
they
remember
the
sacrifices
of
those
soldiers
and
their
families,
and
that
they're,
not
forgotten,
and
so
that,
for
us,
is
what
today
is
all
about.
We
want
to
make
sure
that
those
families
know
that
we're
here
we
remember
them.
We
remember
you
and
we
honor
you
this
day
and
every
day.
Thank
you.
L
We
must
also
remember
those
who
their
absence
is
a
con.
It's
a
constant
reminder
of
the
profound
Cost
of
Freedom.
Our
commitment
to
accounting
for
every
service
member
who
has
not
returned
home
is
something
that's
very
unique
to
this
country.
We
owe
it
to
them
and
their
families
to
leave
no
stone
unturned
in
our
in
our
desire
and
our
quest
to
bring
closure
and
peace.
L
Our
duty
does
not
end
here.
We
must
continue
to
advocate
for
veterans,
rights
and
well-being.
We
must
ensure
that
they
have
access
to
care
and
support
they
deserve
and
and
that
their
sacrifices
are
recognized,
are
recognized
and
not
just
in
words
but
in
actions.
So,
in
closing,
let's
carry
the
spirit
of
today
with
us
throughout
the
year.
Let's
not
forget
the
Valor,
the
resilience
and
the
sacrifice
of
our
pows
and
Mias
are
veterans
and
their
families.
L
Let's
build
them,
let's
honor
them
by
building
a
society
that
truly
values
and
supports
those
who
have
defended
our
freedom.
Thank
you
for
everyone
who
is
here
today.
Thank
you
for
the
veteran
support
organizations.
Thank
you
for
the
health
organizations.
Thank
you
to
all
the
volunteers
who
are
here
together.
We
will
create
this
legged
Legacy
for
Our
Heroes,
and
we
will
never
forget
and
we
will
let
families
know
that
their
loved
ones
are
never
forgotten.
M
M
They're
referred
to
as
prisoners
of
war
and
missing
in
action.
We
call
them
comrades,
they
are
unable
to
be
with
their
loved
ones
and
families
today,
so
we
join
together
to
pay
our
humble
tribute
to
them
and
bear
witness
to
their
continued
absence.
This
honors
ceremony
symbolizes
that
they
are
with
us
in
spirit.
M
M
The
rose
also
reminds
us
of
the
family
and
friends
of
our
missing
comrades
who
keep
the
faith.
While
we
await
the
return,
the
yellow
ribbon
symbolizes,
our
continued
uncertainty
hope
for
their
return
in
our
determination
to
account
for
them
a
slice
of
lemon
on
the
bread
plate
reminds
us
of
their
bitter
fate,
captured
or
missing
in
a
foreign
land.