Boston Vets

Please join us on Friday, September 18, 2026, at 11:30 a.m. at Boston City Hall Plaza for our annual POW/MIA Recognition Flag-Raising Ceremony.

We are honored to be joined by state leadership from the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Disabled American Veterans, and the American Legion, as well as other distinguished guests, veterans, families, and community members.
The black-and-white POW/MIA flag is one of our nation’s most powerful symbols of remembrance. Its image represents captivity, sacrifice, uncertainty, and the painful absence felt by families who continue to wait for answers.
Raising this flag above City Hall Plaza is Boston’s public declaration that our prisoners of war, those still missing in action, and the loved ones who have carried their memory will never be forgotten.
“Never Forget” is a solemn promise that we must carry forward through our words, our actions, and our continued remembrance.
Together, we will proudly reaffirm that enduring promise: You Are Not Forgotten.

For 45 years, the South Boston Vietnam Memorial, has stood as a sacred reminder of the courage, service, and sacrifice of the 25 young men from South Boston who gave their lives during the Vietnam War.

Please join us on Sunday, September 13, 2026, as we gather to honor their memory and rededicate this historic memorial. Mass will begin at 10:30 a.m. at Saint Brigid Church, followed by the ceremony at 11:30 a.m. at Medal of Honor Park.

We are honored to welcome former United States Senator and Secretary of the Navy James H. Webb Jr. as our guest speaker, with Irish Tenor John McDermott performing the National Anthem.

Their names are forever etched in stone and their sacrifice must remain forever in our hearts.

“If you forget my death, then I died in vain.”

The City of Boston will never forget. 🇺🇸

📣 Veterans Fair & Expo — This Saturday! 🇺🇸

Join us on Saturday, August 22 for our Veterans Fair & Expo, a community event bringing together valuable resources, food, entertainment, and opportunities for connection.

Whether you’re a veteran, military family member, or community member, everyone is welcome! Come out, learn about available resources, enjoy great food and entertainment, and connect with organizations serving our veterans and community.

📅 Saturday, August 22, 10:30am-1:30pm
🎉 Veterans Fair & Expo
🍴 Food | 🎶 Entertainment | 🤝 Community Resources

Bring your family and friends and help us celebrate and support our veterans! 🇺🇸

We look forward to seeing you there!

Today, the City of Boston proudly observes Purple Heart Day.
As a Purple Heart City, Boston honors the courageous service members who were wounded or made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of our nation. We recognize every Purple Heart recipient, their families, and all who continue to carry the visible and invisible wounds of war.
Boston City Hall will be lit in purple tonight in observance of National Purple Heart day.
Boston will always remember, honor, and will be forever grateful.

Today, we celebrate 236 years of unwavering service to our Nation from the United States Coast Guard has stood the watch—safeguarding our shores, ensuring the secure flow of commerce, and answering the call whenever duty demands. Boston holds a proud place in this history as the birthplace of the Coast Guard; it was right here in 1790 that the very first revenue cutter, the Massachusetts, was authorized and built. From the historic grounds of Hartt’s Shipyard at modern-day USCG Sector Boston to the crews patrolling our icy waters, generations of Coast Guard men and women have carried forward a legacy of Honor, Respect, and Devotion to Duty. Happy 236th Birthday to the United States Coast Guard, and thank you to the total workforce, families, and veterans who keep us Semper Paratus!

We invite you to join us at the Boston Veterans Fair & Expo on Saturday, August 22!

This event is free and open to the community.

If your organization is interested in hosting a table, please complete the registration form by scanning the QR code on the attached flyer. Once you register, we'll add you to our list and share additional event details as the date approaches.

I've also attached the event flyer. Please feel free to share it with anyone you know in the Veterans community who may be interested in attending.

We look forward to seeing you there!

The recent wreath-laying ceremony at Medal of Honor Park was unforgettable as we reflected on America’s 250th anniversary and celebrated Sail Boston 2026.

Thank you Mayor Michelle Wu for offering remarks honoring our fallen heroes, and to our keynote speaker, Major General John F. Kelliher III, USMC, a proud Massachusetts native, for his inspiring remarks.

A special thank to the Gold Star Wives of America, INC. Greater Boston Chapter and the Thomas Fitzgerald VFW Post 561 for helping make this a meaningful ceremony, and to the 2nd Marine Division Band and Marine Corps Silent Drill Team for their outstanding tribute to those who have served.

Most importantly, thank you to Tommy Lyons
for his unwavering dedication to the veterans community and his commitment to ensuring we never forget those who made the ultimate sacrifice. Today, we honored our Gold Star families, remembered our fallen, and recognized those who continue to serve our nation.

What an incredible honor to present the crew of the USS ARLINGTON with a City of Boston proclamation on behalf of Mayor Michelle Wu .

The City of Boston is proud to welcome the officers, crew, and embarked Marines of the USS ARLINGTON (LPD 24) as they visit Boston during the celebration of Sail Boston 2026 and America’s 250th.

Commissioned on April 6, 2013, the USS ARLINGTON proudly embodies its motto "Strength, Honor, Fortitude," serving as a tribute to the heroes and victims of the September 11th attack in Arlington, Virginia.

The Navy’s mission is to protect the United States, preserve freedom of the seas, and defend American interests worldwide and the USS ARLINGTON is the premier Amphibious Transport Dock in the U.S. Navy to conduct this mission.

Welcome to Boston!

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