REMEMBERING THEIR HEROES. SARAH. IT’S A SIGHT TO SEE HERE, AND IT’S AN EMOTIONAL ONE FOR A LOT OF PEOPLE. MANY ARE FLOCKING HERE TODAY. TOURISTS AND LOCALS, THOSE WHO HAVE SERVED OR HAVE LOST LOVED ONES. ONE, TWO, THREE. SMILE. CHEESE. PICTURE PERFECT MOMENTS ON THE BOSTON COMMON. THE FLAG GARDEN DRAWS THOUSANDS ON MEMORIAL DAY. IT GIVES ME THE CHILLS. THE SILVA FAMILY FROM EASTON GRATEFUL TO THE MORE THAN 37,000 LIVES LOST, REPRESENTED WITH EACH FLAG. I HAVE ALL THE RESPECT IN THE WORLD FROM THE THE FOLKS THAT LOST THEIR LIVES, MEN AND WOMEN AND OF ALL RACES AND OF ALL WALKS OF LIFE. IT’S HONORING ALL THE SOLDIERS THAT HAVE. HONORED OUR COUNTRY. THE FIELD OF RED, WHITE AND BLUE IS A STIRRING SIGHT FOR PAMELA DALEY. I HAVE THREE BROTHERS I GET TOO EMOTIONAL, BUT THANK GOD THEY ALL RETURNED HOME FROM THE WAR, SHE SAYS. THE DISPLAY IS A REMINDER THEY’RE NOT FORGOTTEN. YOU KNOW, THEY’RE IN OUR HEARTS AND THAT’S WHAT AMERICA STANDS FOR. A LOT OF PEOPLE DIED HERE, SO WE CAN SIT HERE. JACKIE NEEDHAM, AN ARMY VETERAN, IS SEEING THE FLAG GARDEN FOR THE FIRST TIME. THE 89 YEAR OLD DELIVERS A MESSAGE TO YOUNGER GENERATIONS TAKE CARE OF THE COUNTRY. ENJOY WHAT YOU HAVE HERE. ENJOY WHAT YOU HAVE BECAUSE YOU LOOK AROUND THE WORLD. WE’RE NOT BAD SHAPE. I THINK I’LL STAY HERE FOR ANOTHER 100. ALL RIGHT, WE’LL DO ANOTHER INTERVIEW IN ANOTHER HUNDRED YEARS. ALL RIGHT. YOU GOT A DATE? I’M GOING TO HOLD YOU TO THAT JACK. NOW, THIS DISPLAY IS THE WORK OF VOLUNTEERS THROUGH A GROUP CALLED HOME BASE, WHICH CARES FOR VETERANS. SOME OF THOSE VOLUNTEERS WERE HERE TODAY SERVING AS NOT JUST A CARETAKER FOR THE FLAGS THEMSELVES, BUT ALSO EDUCATING MANY OF THE PEOPLE WHO WERE SHOWING UP, WANTING TO LEARN MORE. LIVE ON THE BOSTON COMMON SERA CONGI WCVB NEWS CENTER FIVE. SARAH, THANK YOU FOR THAT. THIS DAY CAN BE ESPECIALLY HARD FOR VETERANS, SO IF YOU OR SOMEONE YOU KNOW NEEDS SUPPORT, DON’T BE SHY. DON’T HESITATE. CALL THE VETERANS CRISIS LINE. THE NUMBE
Thousands visit Boston Common flag garden to pay respects on Memorial Day
Updated: 5:05 PM EDT May 26, 2025
A flag garden on the Boston Common drew thousands on Memorial Day, with many looking to pay respects to the military service members who died serving in the United States armed forces.The Silva family, visiting from Easton, said they were grateful for the more than 37,000 lives that were lost, all represented with an American flag.”I have all the respect in the world for the folks that lost their lives, men and women of all races and of all walks of life,” said Oliver Silva. The field of red, white and blue was a stirring sight for Pamela Daley. “I have three brothers. I don’t want to get emotional, but thank God they all returned home from the war,” Daley said. She said the display serves as a reminder.”They’re not forgotten. They’re in our hearts, and that’s what America stands for,” Daley said. “A lot of people died here so we can sit here,” said Army veteran Jack Needham, who was seeing the flag garden for the first time. The 89-year-old gave a piece of advice to younger generations.”Take care of the country,” Needham said. “Enjoy what you have here, enjoy what you have because you look around the world, we’re not in bad shape. I think I’ll stay here for another 100.”
BOSTON —
A flag garden on the Boston Common drew thousands on Memorial Day, with many looking to pay respects to the military service members who died serving in the United States armed forces.
The Silva family, visiting from Easton, said they were grateful for the more than 37,000 lives that were lost, all represented with an American flag.
“I have all the respect in the world for the folks that lost their lives, men and women of all races and of all walks of life,” said Oliver Silva.
The field of red, white and blue was a stirring sight for Pamela Daley.
“I have three brothers. I don’t want to get emotional, but thank God they all returned home from the war,” Daley said.
She said the display serves as a reminder.
“They’re not forgotten. They’re in our hearts, and that’s what America stands for,” Daley said.
“A lot of people died here so we can sit here,” said Army veteran Jack Needham, who was seeing the flag garden for the first time. The 89-year-old gave a piece of advice to younger generations.
“Take care of the country,” Needham said. “Enjoy what you have here, enjoy what you have because you look around the world, we’re not in bad shape. I think I’ll stay here for another 100.”