South Boston Vietnam Memorial Re-Dedication Ceremony on Sunday, September 18

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Twenty-five South Boston military soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice for their nation during the Vietnam War are being honored today at a ceremony marking the 35th anniversary of the South Boston Vietnamese Memorial.

Activities include a 10:30 a.m. Memorial Mass at St. Brigid’s Church, located at 845 East Broadway, followed by a re-dedication ceremony beginning at 11:30 a.m. at Medal of Honor Park, which is located at M Street Park in South Boston

Special guests include Medal of Honor recipients Tom Kelley, Barney Barnum and Ryan Pitts.

Former US Senator James H. Webb, Jr., a decorated Vietnam Veteran, is the guest speaker.  Webb has been a combat Marine, a counsel in the Congress, an assistant secretary of defense and Secretary of the Navy, an Emmy-award winning journalist and a filmmaker, and is the author of 10 books.

Governor Charlie Baker, Mayor Marty Walsh, former US Ambassador and Mayor Ray Flynn and other local officials are also attending, including US Congressman Steven Lynch, State Senator Linda Dorcena Forry, State Representative Nick Collins, and City Councilors Bill Linehan and Michael Flaherty.

Here is a statement from the memorial committee Facebook page:

“Thirty-Fifth years ago, the promise we made to the Twenty-Five of our fallen friends and to the community as a whole, were realized. The people of South Boston were among the very first to recognize the sacrifice the Vietnam Veterans made in the name of freedom. We will forever be proud of this.

“The people of South Boston built that monument. Building it, however, was only half of the pledge we made to ourselves. The other half is inscribed across the face of the memorial: If you forget my death, then I died in vain.”

Read more about the South Boston Vietnam Veterans Memorial, including a list of the 25 South Boston soldiers who lost their lives.  

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