East Boston, in coordination with the ITAM and American Legion Post 30, held its annual Memorial Day Ceremonies Monday in Central Square Park.
Retired U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel Lee Fife, Senior Commander for the East Boston High School JROTC program, served as master of ceremonies for the impressive event.
Observed on the last Monday of May, Memorial Day is a federal holiday that honors and remembers the men and women who have died while serving in the United States Armed Forces.
In his remarks Rep. Adrian Madaro said, “it was just a few years ago that we were no longer having Memorial Day or Veterans Day services here in this community after decades of traditions.”
Madaro credited “Lt. Colonel Fife of the East Boston High School JROTC, Tom Capobianco from the ITAM, and Andy Biggio from the American Legion of East Boston for making certain” that the ceremonies have been restored as an annual tradition in East Boston.
Madaro expressed his gratitude to the Boston Police Department and Boston Fire Department for their vital work in the community and for attending the ceremony.
Madaro said while many people consider Memorial Day as the unofficial start to the summer, “that is not what brings us together for Memorial Day.”
“What brings us together to celebrate the freedoms that we have as Americans is the fact that many fight for those freedoms, but some pay the ultimate sacrifice and never have the privilege of coming home,” said Madaro. “And while we should never forget those sacrifices on any day, today it’s important to pause and reflect, to pause and remember that there are those who will never come home – those who were killed in action, those missing in action. That is the purpose of Memorial Day, to honor their sacrifice and to appreciate the privileges we have as Americans. People fight and die to defend those freedoms and those privileges, and let’s never forget that.”
Elizabeth “Ellie” Sanchez, Chief of Staff for Boston City Councilor Gabriela Coletta Zapata, said, “Today we gather to honor the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice to our country.”
“East Boston has a long proud tradition of service. Throughout this morning, we recommit ourselves to honoring not only the memory of those we lost, but also the values we fought to protect,” said Sanchez.
U.S. Army Sgt. Peter Rooney, a wounded veteran who served in Iraq, also addressed the large gathering. “Today is a day that we remember those that are not with us anymore because they gave the ultimate sacrifice,” Rooney said.
Rooney commended the courageous actions of one of his fellow officers, Staff Sgt. Milton A. Gist, who gave the ultimate sacrifice – “the most heroic person I’ve ever seen in combat,” he said, “On this day, I ask you all to remember the brave men and women that have fought for your country and for you. I’m one of them. I’m lucky enough to make it home.”
Mr. Rooney received a sustained ovation from the many people in attendance in recognition of his heroic service to his country.
Cadet Major Giselle Sanchez placed the memorial wreath at the base of the monument in the park honoring East Boston’s fallen service members.
Led by an escort from the Boston Fire and Police Departments, the group marched to the Vietnam Memorial on Liverpool Street for further observance of the holiday.