Civic leaders, veterans, and private citizens alike gathered on Memorial Day to pay homage to those who made the ultimate sacrifice in serving for the good of their country. — Photo by Claudia Ferro

By Luda Tang

On Monday, May 30, the City of Somerville hosted the Memorial Day remembrance event at Veterans’ Memorial Cemetery to commemorate those who have made the ultimate sacrifice while in service of the United States.

Ted Louis-Jacques, the director of Veterans’ Services at the City of Somerville, served as the host of the commemoration. He invited Rev. Alejandro Lopez Cardinali to offer the opening invocation. During the invocation, Cardinali affirmed that freedom is not free saying, “Never let’s forget those who pay so terrible a price to ensure that freedom will be our legacy.”

Cardinali’s speech was followed by the playing of the National Anthem while all attendees remained standing. In order to include more voices from the community, the event also invited the Girl Scouts to say the pledge of allegiance.

Mayor Katjana Ballantyne spoke after that. She expressed the highest appreciation of those who died in the defense of freedom. “We are surrounded by the names that truly epitomize heroism and patriotism,” said the mayor. She listed a few names, like James, John, and Russell, and referred to them as the “standard bearer of this land of freedom and home of the brave.”

“The meaning of Memorial Day is a commemoration and a celebration of the human spirit that propels us to seek out our greater selves and the greater knowledge of true service and sacrifice,” Ballantyne said. At the end of the speech, she called on the people to “Let us always remember and let us never forget.”

City Council President and Iraq war veteran Matt McLaughlin shared his thoughts on Memorial Day as well. With the on-going war in Ukraine and his experiences in Iraq, he spoke of people who suffered immensely because of war. That it is not only about the military, but also about civilians who have to live with the consequences of the war. Of remembering the burdens of veterans and the family members associated with those veterans is indeed important, but also remembering the numerous sacrifices and the victims of war.

“I would like people to keep in mind the victims of the war in Afghanistan and Iraq, in the Ukraine, in all wars, at all times,” McLaughlin said. “Those memories are the reason why people should always strive to avoid war at all costs and only engage in it when we know that it is a just war.”

Somerville resident and wife of US Marine and Vietnam War veteran Leo Mingace, Pina Mingace, read a short poem, Our Gift to the Fallen, by Charlie Greg. After finishing the reading, she referred to the three flags that she held in her hand. The Italian flag stands for her dad, and the Marine flag is for her husband, Leo. With the American flag, she said she was proud of being an American citizen.

Louis-Jacques said at the end of the event that there are many things we can do to honor fallen heroes that guard our country. We can take care of their families, always keeping in mind the essence of Memorial Day is about gratitude and remembrance. “It is about honoring the men and women who made it possible for us together here today,” Jacques said.