Governor Maura Healey and Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll joined the Massachusetts National Guard to honor the lives and legacies of its fallen military service members during a ceremony held this morning at Memorial Hall in the Massachusetts State House. During the ceremony, the Massachusetts National Guard presented the Medal of Liberty, awarded to the next of kin of service members who were killed in action or died in service under combat-related conditions. Also presented at the ceremony was the Medal of Fidelity, a distinction established by state law to honor service members or veterans who died as a result of invisible wounds, including post-traumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain injury, or exposure to harmful substances during their service. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. 1st Class Steven Eaton)
Mass Guard Honors The Fallen
Story Sgt. 1st Class Steven Eaton
BOSTON – Members of the Massachusetts National Guard participated in two Memorial Day ceremonies in Boston leading up to Memorial Day weekend.
On March 20, 2025, Governor Maura Healey and Maj. Gen. Gary W. Keefe, the Adjutant General of the Massachusetts National Guard, presented Medals of Liberty and Fidelity during a Memorial Day ceremony at the Massachusetts State House.
“This year marks the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution which started right here in Massachusetts,” said Healey. “In order to preserve, to grow, to strengthen our country, members of the military of every generation have stepped forward and offered that same courage, that same intensity as those very first minute revolutionaries. They are the keepers of our revolutionary legacy, We owe their families respect, support, and assurance that their loved ones will never be forgotten,” she added.
During the ceremony, next of kin of fallen servicemembers received the medals of liberty and fidelity.
“If you look up the definition of fidelity in the dictionary, fidelity is an unwavering loyalty to a person or an organization or cause, and that’s what these servicemembers embodied, they answered the call of duty… they not once wavered from their loyalty for this country to the constitution”,” said Keefe. “Take the time to remind people what Memorial Day is,” Keefe continued. “It’s about the people we’re talking about today, the families that have been left behind. That’s what Memorial Day is about,”
The Medal of Liberty was presented to family members of servicemembers who died as a result of direct combat or training accidents while in service to the United States of America.
The Massachusetts Medal of Fidelity was presented to the Next of Kin of service members or veterans from the Commonwealth who died as the result of either: combat-related post-traumatic stress disorder, or other disorder approved by the Adjutant General; condition resulting from a service-connected traumatic brain injury or a combat connected disease, condition or injury related to the exposure to harmful toxins, herbicides, agents or materials, where the exposure occurred while serving in the armed forces.
Presented the Medal of Liberty on behalf of their family members were:
Judy Richardson, in honor of Pfc. James E. Palmeri, Vietnam
William Mahoney in honor of 1st Lt. John H. Mahoney Jr., World War II
William Joseph Sayles, in honor of Pfc. Lloyd W. Sayles, World War II
Presented the Massachusetts Medal of Fidelity on behalf of their family members were:
Carol Wells, in honor of RM2 Harland H. Wells, Vietnam
Barbra Gruntkoskym in honor of Spc. Robert S. Gruntkosky, Vietnam
John Flavin, in honor of Pvt. Philip Flavin, World War II, Pearl Harbor
Diana Williams, in honor of Gy Sgt Alexander McGuirk, Vietnam
Paula Anderson, in honor of Sgt. Michael C. Anderson Vietnam
Joanne Winkler, in honor of MM3 John Kasianowicz, World War II
