‘We Didn’t Shut Down’: MFH Remembers Gold Star Family Ahead Of Memorial Day
Boston Common is usually lined with American flags for Memorial Day, honoring those who gave their lives for their country. The coronavirus pandemic prevented that display this year, but an organization dedicated to remembering those who died in Iraq and Afghanistan is keeping the tradition going with a smaller display in Boston’s Seaport neighborhood. It is also the site of a special ceremony for a local Gold Star family.
Jason Farrar, a Marine Veteran from Weymouth, shows off the sea of flags in front of the Massachusetts Fallen Heroes Memorial on Northern Avenue in the Seaport.
“This flag right here represents my brother,” he said pointing to the United States Marine Corps flag grouped around dozens of flags from all the military branches. Each one represents a local hero who died for their country.
Farrar now works for the organization responsible for the flag display and the permanent memorial, a spire that reaches several stories into the air surrounded by a tranquil water feature with a small waterfall.
Massachusetts Fallen Heroes is dedicated to remembering soldiers like Farrar’s brother, Marine Sgt. Andrew Farrar Jr., who was killed in Iraq 15 years ago. They also offer support to Gold Star families like “making sure other people don’t go through what I went through and learn how to cope in other ways that I didn’t,” Jason said.
