Boston

South Boston's Vietnam War Memorial Is Rededicated

The memorial predates the dedication of the national Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington by 13 months

The South Boston Vietnam Memorial, one of the nation's first formal memorials to Vietnam veterans, was rededicated on its 38th anniversary.

A memorial Mass was held at St. Brigid Church on Sunday morning, followed by a rededication ceremony at the memorial in Medal of Honor Park.

The memorial predates the dedication of the national Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington by 13 months.

It honors 25 men from South Boston who died during the war.

The keynote speaker was retired Marine Corps Gen. John F. Kelly, a Boston native and the former White House chief of staff. He credited service members like the ones honored on the memorial for preserving America's democracy.

"It's people like that, 25 of them — a tiny percentage, obviously, of the 42 million men and women who have served our country," he said.

Mayor Marty Walsh, Gov. Charlie Baker and U.S. Rep. Stephen Lynch also attended, along with two Medal of Honor winners and family members of the South Boston men who died.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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