From Somerville's lively parade to the 21-gun salute aboard the USS Constitution, Massachusetts has thoroughly marked Memorial Day, paying homage to service members who've paid the ultimate price. According to WHDH, the traditional Somerville procession took place on Sunday, featuring an assembly of bands and performers that filled the streets with celebration and remembrance.
The city of Boston made a particularly poignant statement with its Boston Common display, planting 37,000 flags to represent each Massachusetts service member who died since the Revolutionary War. "Each representing a Massachusetts service member who died in the line of duty," as reported by NBC Boston. In a dedication to honor those who have fallen in recent conflicts, families read the names of those lost post-9/11 during last Thursday’s ceremony.
Monday's schedule was brimming with tributes from parades in Reading and Watertown to a keynote address by an Air Force veteran in Everett. The state reflected on the sacrifices made by military personnel. Governor Maura Healey and Boston Mayor Michelle Wu were among the officials to swiftly move and engage in multiple ceremonies, with the governor delivering an address at the Massachusetts Veterans Memorial Cemetery and the mayor speaking at multiple locations throughout the day.
In a show of nautical respect, the USS Constitution honored those who have served with a 21-gun salute this morning. The historic ship, also known as Old Ironsides, opened its decks to the public, providing free access to veterans, service members, and their families for the museum through the end of the month. The edge of the Seaport saw runners take to the streets in the Boston's Run to Remember event, honoring fallen law enforcement officers and first responders with half marathon and five-mile runs, according to WHDH.
Amidst the state-wide events, the Travis Manion Foundation hosted The Honor Project, an annual endeavor focusing on memorializing fallen military service members at the Massachusetts National Cemetery. From the sea of flags in Boston to the somber notes of "Taps" echoing throughout the commonwealth's cemeteries and memorials, Massachusetts united to remember their fallen heroes with gravity and grace worthy of the sacrifices made.
