Ceremony Recognizes Service and Sacrifice with Medal of Liberty and Medal of Fidelity Presentations
BOSTON — In observance of Memorial Day, Governor Maura Healey and Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll joined the Massachusetts National Guard to honor the lives and legacies of fallen military service members during a ceremony held this morning at Memorial Hall in the Massachusetts State House.
The annual Massachusetts Memorial Day Ceremony, attended by veterans, military families, elected officials, and members of the public, included the presentation of two of the state’s highest military honors, the Massachusetts Medal of Liberty and the Massachusetts Medal of Fidelity.
The ceremony began with a procession, presentation of the colors, and the National Anthem performed by the 215th Army Band, followed by remarks from Governor Healey, Secretary of Veterans Services Jon Santiago, and Major General Gary W. Keefe, Adjutant General of the Massachusetts National Guard.
“Today, we honored the brave service members who gave their lives for our country and the families who carry their memory,” said Governor Healey. “In Massachusetts, we show our gratitude through action. That’s why we passed the HERO Act, the most comprehensive support package for veterans and military families in the nation. We will always stand with those who serve and sacrifice for our freedom.”
“As someone from a military family, I know how deeply service and sacrifice shape not only those who wear the uniform but everyone who loves them,” said Lieutenant Governor Driscoll. “Today, we honored the heroes who gave everything for our country and the families who carry that legacy every day. Their strength and resilience inspire us to keep fighting for better support, better services, and a Commonwealth that never forgets the cost of freedom.”
“In public service, few moments are more humbling than standing with families who’ve given so much,” said Veteran’s Service Secretary Santiago. “These medals serve as a small but lasting reminder of our gratitude — and of our commitment to care for those who carry the legacy of that sacrifice.”
“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 service members embodied, they answered the call of duty… they not once wavered from their loyalty for this country to the constitution” said Maj. Gen. Keefe, Adjutant General of the Massachusetts National Guard. “Take the time to remind people what Memorial Day is. It’s about the people we’re talking about today, the families that have been left behind. That’s what Memorial Day is about.”
As part of the program, 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.
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
The ceremony also recognized recipients of the Medal of Fidelity, a distinction established by state law to honor service members or veterans who died as the result of invisible wounds, including post-traumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain injury, or exposure to harmful substances during their service.
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
The program concluded with the playing of service songs in tribute to Massachusetts’ fallen heroes and a reception for attendees.