Photo: Gov. Charlie Baker
BOSTON (WBZNewsRadio) - Standing with a backdrop of more than 37,000 flags on the Boston Common, Governor Charlie Baker remembered fallen service members at a service for Memorial day.
“I think the fact that you call it a garden gives it a special sense of perpetuity and grace and puts forth that notion that this is ground to be tended and treated with the respect and the sense of love and devotion that it deserves." Baker said. “And every flag like that everywhere, all over the world – that represents a fallen serviceman or servicewoman who's died in the defense of freedom here in this country."
The 37,000 flags planted each year represent every military service member from Massachusetts who has fallen since the Revolutionary War.
“In some respects, it's a constant reminder to all of us that it's more than just it's not free – this thing we call freedom. People pay an enormous price so that the rest of us can benefit from it." Baker said.
On Sunday, Baker gathered in Swampscott with veterans, Gold Star Families and community members to mark Memorial Day.
Baker ordered the American flag and the Commonwealth flag be lowered to half-staff at all state buildings from sunrise until noon, and full staff from noon until sunset on Monday, May 30, 2022.
Follow WBZ NewsRadio: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | iHeartmedia App