HUDSON – Hudson community members gathered downtown to commemorate Memorial Day May 29.
Sponsored by the town’s Department of Veteran Services, the parade ended at Liberty Park for a ceremony and featured Rep. Kate Hogan and Select Board member Michael Burks.
“Today we gather as a community to remember the men and women of our armed forces who have given their last, full measure of devotion because Memorial Day keeps faith with the past and with the future,” said Hogan.
She noted that 38,000 Massachusetts service members have laid down their lives for their country since the Revolutionary War.
“We cannot separate the story of American freedom from the story of American sacrifice,” said Hogan. “Our republic has always been willing to fight for our freedoms and the freedoms of people around the world. Their call to duty is unique in what they teach us about honor, integrity, courage and selfless service.”
She mentioned conflicts across the years from Lexington and Concord up to battles in Baghdad.
“These battles are always met by young Americans with their whole lives ahead of them, and they and their loved ones are ever our responsibility as an American family,” Hogan said.
She continued, “If we love our country, we must love and honor our heroes and care for their families. May these battlefields and those whose blood and honor have made them sacred serve as solemn inspiration to create a more perfect union.”
Veterans Director Brian Stearns recalled that someone recently said that Celtics’ Jayson Tatum is their hero.
“Maybe it’s time to bring back the true meaning of a hero, and that’s the ones who die for this country, the ones that sacrifice everything for their families to leave them and the ones that come back that are maimed and need our assistance after they come home,” said Stearns. “Think about the word hero, and think about it carefully.”
