Photo: Kendall Buhl/ WBZ NewsRadio
BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) — Boston's Hynes Convention Center has new signage that reflects the facility's full name, the John D. Hynes Veterans Memorial Convention Center.
The signage spells out the facility's full name in gold letters across the building's black façade. It was unveiled at a ceremony Wednesday featuring Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey and the family of John B. Hynes, who served in both World Wars and as Boston's mayor from 1950 to 1960.
Hynes' grandson, John B. Hynes III, said the change will more accurately reflect the purpose of the facility's name, which is to honor not just his grandfather, but also other veterans.
"Let's put it this way," Hynes III said. "If it were the John B. Hynes Convention Center without the 'Veterans,' he would not be pleased. He was a veteran first."
John B. Hynes served in the United States Army Air Corps during World War I. He also served in World War II, during which he was promoted to the rank of lieutenant colonel. As mayor of Boston, Hynes laid the groundwork for what would later become his namesake convention center.
Wednesday's ceremony was intentionally scheduled around Veteran's Day, which is on Nov. 11.
"It's a time where we reflect on the service of our veterans and all of their sacrifices," Healey said. "And I'll say it's something we should reflect on every day.
WBZ NewsRadio's Kendall Buhl (@WBZKendall) reports.