City Councilor Ed Flynn filed a resolution at last week’s City Council meeting to commemorate and honor those who died while serving in the military. This resolution formally requests the City Council to honor those who made the supreme sacrifice in service to our country, including our Gold Star Families.
Memorial Day was known as Decoration Day in the past, and started as a day for people to decorate the graves of the war dead with flowers after the Civil War. Decoration Day continued to be observed on the local level, and in 1968, Congress passed the Uniform Monday Holiday Act, which established Memorial Day as the last Monday in May, and the change went into effect in 1971. On Memorial Day, the country pays respects to the more than 1.1 million American military personnel who made the supreme sacrifice for their country while serving in uniform, as well as to Gold Star Families whose family members died in uniform.
Boston itself has numerous events commemorating Memorial Day, but because of the pandemic this year, many of the events are suspended or are being conducted virtually. However, the City of Boston’s Veterans Services and veteran organizations are still safely and individually placing flags at our military cemeteries in honor of those that paid the supreme sacrifice for our country, including our Gold Star families.
“On Memorial Day, we solemnly honor our service members who made the supreme sacrifice for our country, as well as honor our Gold Star Families,” said Councilor Flynn. “It is important that we recognize that their sacrifice, service, and their bravery shall never be forgotten.”
For more information, please contact Councilor Flynn’s office at 617-635-3203 or Ed.Flynn@Boston.gov.
