Overview
- More than 37,000 small U.S. flags were placed on Boston Common to represent Massachusetts service members who died in service, a Home Base-organized display completed by volunteers ahead of Memorial Day.
- Seventy Gold Star families took part in the final flag plantings and the names of 422 service members lost since Sept. 11 were read aloud during the ceremony on Friday.
- The Massachusetts Fallen Heroes Memorial in the Seaport was rededicated for its 11th year with about 4,000 flags planted by students and volunteers and a ceremonial laying of roses by Gold Star families.
- Family members expressed relief that no new names were added to the Fallen Heroes plaques this year, while the memorial’s executive director cautioned that additions remain possible in the future.
- Organizers said the flag installations will remain on display through the evening of Memorial Day and that the events blend nonprofit support, student participation and community volunteering to visibly honor the human cost of military service.