THE PRINT EDITION
THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 16, 2021
VOLUME XIX- ISSUE 74
The 40th Vietnam Memorial Dedication by Rick Winterson
T
he 40th Anniversary of the South Boston Vietnam Memorial took place on Sunday. It was actually an observance in two parts – the first, a Memorial Mass at St. Brigid Church; the second at the Memorial itself in Medal of Honor Park, between M and N Streets on East Broadway. Father Robert Casey, the Pastor of Gate of Heaven and St. Brigid Parishes, offered the Memorial Mass at 10:30 Sunday morning. The Readings for that particular Mass, the 25th Sunday in ordinary time, were pertinent. In particular, the Epistle Reading was the letter of James – the section where James spoke of “works” as necessary to show Faith. Fr. Casey drew a parallel between James’ writings about “Works” and military duties. It’s interesting to compare “Works” with “Bravery
Sending Off Summer in Style
above and beyond the call of duty …” The congregants at the Mass then walked up to Medal of Honor Park under a huge flag hung from Boston Fire Department ladder trucks, and proceeded to gather at the Memorial. At age 40 (originally dedicated in September, 1981), the South Boston Vietnam Memorial is by far the first such Memorial in America. The national Vietnam Memorial (a.k.a. “the Wall”) was dedicated over a year later, on Saturday, November 13, 1982. At 11:30, the Color Guard from the four combat services bore the flags to the Memorial – a colorful entrance, to say the least, with campaign ribbons waving from every flagpole. Fr. Casey delivered the Invocation, basing his words on a theme of Peace. Tom Lyons, who has performed on countless veterans’ projects (including the Vietnam Memorial itself), then opened the dedication ceremony. Continued on Page 2
By Ginger DeShaney
S
ummer went out with a bang Saturday, thanks to the Carson Beach Summer Send-Of f. People of all ages gathered at the McCormack Bath House for a beautiful afternoon of fun and exploration. Several organizations came together to help South Boston say farewell to the season: Boston Harbor Now, National Park Service, National Park Foundation, Massachusetts
Department of Conservation and Recreation, City of Boston, Coalition for a Resilient and Inclusive Waterfront, Save the Harbor/Save the Bay, Piers Park Sailing Center, and Volo Sports. Boston Harbor Now works in collaboration with many organizations, said Jenn Meakem, community engagement specialist. So when they decided they had to do something at Carson Beach at the end of the summer, they reached out to groups and created this collaborative event. Continued on page 8
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