This past Saturday, May 21, Mayor Joe Curtatone and the Office of Veterans Services held a special ceremony at the Somerville High School Centennial Auditorium, 2016 Somerville Heroes Salute “A City Remembers.”

About 100 residents and family members of the honorees were present for the ceremony. Nine individual residents and war heroes were honored with the naming streets after them, and designating them as city squares.

The city saluted these heroes who served in the armed forces of our country, returning to continue service to their city in various capacities. The city is proud of them and of their service. At the ceremony, the family members were presented with plaques from the city praising their dedication to the country and city they loved. The new Veterans Services Commissioner Bryan P. Bishop welcomed everyone.

Square Locations were honored this year for each of the following heroes:

SGT Arthur J. Downey Square, corner of Tremont St. and Webster Ave.
PFC Edward J. Faulkner, Jr. Square, corner of Elmwood St. and Holland Ave.
SP4 Alan N. Galatis, Square, Harden Rd. and Powder House Blvd.
SGT David G. James Square, Summer St. and Church St.
PFC Daniel R. Matthews Square, Josephine Ave. and Morrison Ave.
SSGT Guido P. Salvi Square, Lowell St. and Somerville Ave.
Patrick J. Sullivan Jr. Square, Oxford St. and Trull Ln.
CPL Robert F. Vallone Square, Elm St. and Holyoke Rd.
SFC Robert A. Ventura Square, Virginia St. and Jasper St.

In the absence of Mayor Joe Curtatone, who couldn’t attend, Alderman at Large Bill White, who is the President of the Board of Alderman, gave a very nice speech praising these heroes and all who served in the armed forces from Somerville over the years.