Memorial Day ceremonies move online, list of Massachusetts events

Memorial Day ceremonies and traditions are moving online in many cases this year as social distancing and safe-at-home advisories curb the usual services and public gatherings amid the coronavirus pandemic.

One special display will feature 1,000 flags spaced 6 feet apart on Boston Common, where there is traditionally over 37,000 flags.

“We always wanted to pay tribute to our fallen heroes on Boston Common — it just had to be different this year,” said Massachusetts Military Heroes Fund President Tom Crohan.

Among other ceremonies:

• 7:30 a.m. Massachusetts Military Heroes Fund joins Boston Commissioner of Veterans Services Robert Santiago to lay a wreath at a garden of flags on Boston Common and observe a moment of silence followed by taps, performed by SFC. (retired) Robert Bean
• 11:15 a.m. Massachusetts Fallen Heroes hoists an American flag over the Iraq and Afghanistan Fallen Heroes Memorial in the Seaport, followed by an F15 flyover
• Noon, President Trump addresses the nation
• 3 p.m. National Moment of Remembrance, where Americans are asked to pause for one minute of silent, informal reflection
• Gov. Charlie Baker hosts a virtual Memorial Day with music, speakers and coordinated illumination of buildings, bridges, flags, and parks in gold to honor Gold Star Families
• Massachusetts Military Heroes Fund creates virtual garden of flags being posted on social media with the #HeroesFlagGarden

from Boston Herald https://ift.tt/36tZodV