On Saturday, December 11, The City of Somerville will host a ceremony to remember those that have been lost to COVID-19 and to recognize the many other losses our community has faced throughout the pandemic.

The public is invited to gather for a simple ceremony, a participatory remembrance project, with musical accompaniment. The event will take place from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m., at Symphony Park, 46 Pearl Street.

There will be a short speaking agenda, and attendees are invited to make a flag of remembrance by drawing a simple image and writing words, thoughts, or poems. The flags will be hung at the park to create a temporary memorial.

Blank flags will be available at City Hall reception desks and at the ceremony.

Attendees are also invited to bring objects or messages meaningful to them to be hung alongside the flags or placed on the ground.

After the event, a recorded, button-operated music installation and the memorial will both remain at the site, weather permitting, for a few weeks.

The past couple of years have been a tough time for everyone, and our condolences go out to all who have lost someone during this time.

We are all hoping that things can get turned around in the future and that we can put this terrible time behind us.

In the meantime, let us pause to reflect on our losses and the awful toll that this pandemic has wrought. We owe it to ourselves and to the memories of the too many that we have lost.