Photos: Memorial Day Remembrances Impacted By Coronavirus Precautions

Updated May 25, 2020

Lania Fitzparick and Goeorge Infante, members of the South Boston High School Junior ROTC, walk down a path through the flags planted at Boston Common honoring Mass. veterans who have died during war times. (Jesse Costa/WBUR)

Due to the ongoing pandemic, this Memorial Day in Massachusetts is a far different one.

Earlier this morning, Gov. Charlie Baker did take part in a wreath-laying ceremony at the Soldiers and Sailors monument on Boston Common, where some flags were also planted. But many of the usual ceremonies honoring the war dead have been called off throughout the city and state.

Gov. Charlie Baker and members of the Massachusetts Military Heroes Fund stand during a moment of silence after a wreath was placed in the Boston Common to honor Massachusetts veterans who died during military action. (Jesse Costa/WBUR)

A wreath is placed during the early morning Memorial Day ceremony in the Boston Common. (Jesse Costa/WBUR)

Gov. Charlie Baker stands during the Memorial Day wreath ceremony in the Boston Common. (Jesse Costa/WBUR)

Baker watches as Diane Nealon, executive director of the Massachusetts Military Heroes Fund, places a wreath at the base of the hill where the Soldiers and Sailors Monument in the Boston Common is located. (Jesse Costa/WBUR)

A bugler plays Taps after the wreath is placed at the base of the Soldiers and Sailors Monument. (Jesse Costa/WBUR)

Boston Mayor Marty Walsh earlier this week reflected on how in pre-COVID times he would have spent Memorial Day at ceremonies with veterans and Gold Star families, as well as planting flags on Boston Common.

He said without these public events, Memorial Day won't feel the same for many people. The mayor called upon the city's residents to do their part to help through different kinds of remembrances instead.

"Please join me in decorating the outside of your home with flags and patriotic symbols in honor of our military heroes for Memorial Day," he told Bostonians earlier this week. "You can ask kids on the neighborhood, our kids, your own kids, to get involved, coloring flags, making decorations. If you make some phone calls, you can bring your whole street to life."

The mayor warned that to slow the spread of the virus, people should not conduct cookouts or head to the beach this Memorial Day.

Several other events, including an interfaith service in Bedford and a ceremony in Everett, were held Monday to honor fallen soldiers. While people were allowed into the Bedford Veterans Affairs chapel, attendees were asked to socially distance during the ceremony. At the Glenwood Cemetery in Everett, residents who attended were encouraged to stay in or near their vehicles.

Thomas “Gunny” Estrada, left, and Jean Pinard perform the retirement of the colors to conclude the Memorial Day Interfaith Service at the Bedford VA Hospital chapel. (Jesse Costa/WBUR)

Three members of the Everett Fire Department attend a Memorial Day service in Glenwood Cemetery, Everett. (Robin Lubbock/WBUR)

A man wearing a veteran hat salutes as the national anthem plays at a Memorial Day service in Glenwood Cemetery, Everett. (Robin Lubbock/WBUR)

American flags planted at the Glenwood Cemetary in Everett. (Robin Lubbock/WBUR) — American flags planted at the Glenwood Cemetery in Everett during the town's annual Memorial Day remembrance. This year, attendees were asked to remain in or near their vehicles during the ceremony. (Robin Lubbock/WBUR)

With reporting from WBUR's Steve Brown

This article was originally published on May 25, 2020.

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