PAX Centurion - April / June 2016

www.bppa.org PAX CENTURION • April-May-June 2016 • Page 27 with an opening ceremony followed by a 19-gun salute rendered by cannons which were manned by the Concord Independent Battery 101st FieldArtillery Regiment from the USS Constitution. Smoke from the cannons covered the area, which looked like London fog. A Black Hawk helicopter from Barnes Air Force Base inWestfield was flown in by Chief Warren Officer Charles Synnott. I talked with the pilot and his parents, Jim and Kathleen Synnott. Jim Synnott happened to be a retired Lieutenant out of Cambridge Police. Spectators were allowed to come up and take pictures near or in the chopper. Seeing this bird circle the event and pull in was most impressive. The event continued with the singing of the National Anthem and speeches from Governor Charlie Baker, Mayor MartyWalsh, and many others. The ceremony concluded with a 21-gun salute and the playing of “Taps,” which is always emotional. The Boston Fire Department set up their ladder trucks back-to-back with a hugeAmerican Flag draped between them. My favorite group, the Patriot Guard Riders attended. For those of you unfamiliar with this group, they attend funerals of fallen service officers and act as a barrier to keep war protestors away so the families can grieve in peace. Last but not least, our own Boston Police were there providing security and paying our respects. Finally, for those active in the military, we thank you for your service. For our own Boston Police Officers that are still active, thank you and may God protect you and your families. For those who have lost loved ones that served their country, but did not die in the line of duty, we thank them for their service and honor them with the highest esteem on Memorial Day. For those families who have lost loved ones that have died in the line of duty, no words can express our heartfelt sorrow and gratitude for the selfless acts of these individuals who kept our nation safe. An excerpt on the back of the program from General George S. Patton read: “It is foolish and wrong to mourn the men who died. Rather we should thank God that such men lived.”