It began as a way to memorialize the military casualties of the Civil War, and was originally termed Decoration Day. Decorating the graves of the countless multitudes of fallen soldiers helped to console the grieving survivors of the debacle while uniting the once divided nation in a worthwhile common cause.

On Monday of this week we took some time to pay homage to those who made the supreme sacrifice for their country. For us all. We had to do it differently this time because of the restrictions and precautions being followed due to the coronavirus problem.

Raymond Joseph Martinez Jr. (1945-2020)

Raymond J. (Butch) Martinez Jr., of North Reading, MA, died April 11, 2020 at Blueberry Hill Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Beverly, MA, following several years of declining health.

Born on December 13, 1945, in Everett, MA, Butch was the son of the late Agnes (Nowak) Martinez and Raymond J. Martinez. He attended Everett schools and graduated from Everett Vocational High School. Initially working in the plumbing field, Butch later found his true calling as a Policeman. He ended his career as a Police officer for the City of Somerville, MA, retiring with a disability after 22 years of service. While in good health, he enjoyed body building, stamp collecting and especially, travel. He sought out paternal relatives in Colorado and maternal relatives in Poland. A Norway to Poland road trip, with cousins Marianne and Frances in pre-GPS days, left many amusing memories.

Arrests:
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Yosvani Hernandez, of Somerville, May 23, 9:29 p.m., arrested at Cross Street E. on charges of attaching wrong motor vehicle, unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, and receiving a stolen motor vehicle.

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In July I will turn 65, and will join the fraternity of the Golden Years. I also have a 94-year-old mother. I remember when she was in the back of a cab with me and the driver asked, “How old is she?” My mother – no wallflower – said in response, “I can answer for myself, young man!” So for a while now I have been thinking about ageism and getting older in this country. Then I got a press release about a new online series, Old Guy. This seemed right up my alley, and I contacted the Director/creator Jennifer Burton. I had the pleasure to interview Burton for this column.

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Susan Tepper is the author of nine published books. Her most recent is a poetry chapbook Confess (Cervena Barva Press, 2020) and a road novel What Drives Men (Wilderness House Press, 2019). The recipient of many awards and honors, Tepper is a native New Yorker. www.susantepper.com

Dear Community Members,

Here is a COVID-19 update for Tuesday, May 26.

A reported drive-by shooting that occurred on Greenville St. Monday night at around 9:00 p.m. has prompted a search for a suspect by Somerville Police and authorities in neighboring communities.

According to reports, that the sought after suspect fired several shots from their car at another vehicle before fleeing the scene.

All-day shuttle buses replace Green Line trains between Lechmere and North Station started on May 24,  for approximately one year.

The Green Line Extension (GLX) project is reminding customers that Green Line service between Lechmere and North Stations is replaced with shuttle buses every day  for approximately one year to accomplish work as part of the Green Line Extension project (GLX) and the Green Line Transformation Program (GLT): the closure, relocation, and complete replacement of Lechmere Station and work to demolish, relocate, and reconstruct sections of the Lechmere Viaduct.

Photo courtesy of Leigh Savary

A COVID-19 Prepared Market with a $50 SNAP Match

The Union Square Farmers Market has  returned to Union Square Plaza in Somerville on Saturdays  from 9am-1pm.

Since 2005, the Union Square Farmers Market has helped shoppers fill their homes with top-quality, fresh, local food while serving as a catalyst for vibrancy, economic activity, and neighborhood connection. And then came COVID-19.

Mayor Joe Curtatone and others reflected on and honored our fallen service members for Memorial Day at the Veterans Cemetery on Monday.