Recognizing the tremendous sacrifice and service of our nation’s veterans and active military personnel, Citizens for Milford has initiated three community initiatives intended to honor these brave men and women:
• Draper Memorial Park Field of Flags
• Massachusetts Medal of Liberty Distribution
• Veterans Day Ceremony
Draper Memorial Park Field of Flags
Draper Memorial Park Field of Flags Honors Veterans and Active Military Personnel on Three Patriotic Holidays Each Year
Citizens for Milford partnered with the Milford Corps of the Salvation Army to launch the Draper Memorial Park Field of Flags in 2016 as a tribute acknowledging the service and sacrifice of our veterans and active military personnel with a display of American flags to be placed in Draper Memorial Park on three patriotic holidays each year, which include:
- Memorial Day
- Fourth of July
- Veterans Day
To learn more about the Field of Flags, including how to sponsor a flag, click here.
Massachusetts Medal of Liberty Distribution
Final Medals Were Awarded to the Families of Milford’s Fallen Heroes on Sunday, May 20, 2018
In 2017, the Milford Medal of Liberty Committee began working with Milford’s Veterans Services Department to initiate the process of researching and awarding the Massachusetts Medal of Liberty, an honor awarded in the name of the Governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts as Commander-in-Chief to the family of any Massachusetts serviceman or woman killed in action or who died as a result of wounds received in action. The 2017 Veterans Day Ceremony featured the very first series of presentations of Medals of Liberty to the surviving family members of eight Milfordians who were killed in action. These heroic members of our community fought in World War II, Vietnam, and Iraq.
Dozens more Milford residents qualified for the Medal of Liberty and their families were awarded the medal in a ceremony on Sunday, May 20 in Milford Town Hall. All Milford area veterans and residents were invited to attend.
Learn more about the Medal of Liberty Ceremony.
Read the complete list of Milford’s Medal of Liberty heroes.
The Milford Medal of Liberty committee includes Vincent Cifizzari, Geri Eddins, Jo-Ann De Maria Morgan, Peter Scandone, and Matthew Veneziano (emeritus).
Veterans Day Ceremony
First Annual Veterans Day Ceremony Launched in 2016 to Dedicate the Draper Memorial Park Field of Flags
The Second Annual Veterans Day Ceremony was held Friday, November 10, 2017 in the Italian American Veterans Club, following a short musical ceremony at Draper Memorial Park
In addition to the presentation of Milford’s first awarded Medals of Liberty, the Veterans Day Ceremony included a presentation of the solemn Missing Man Table remembrance ritual, which honors military members missing in action. Music was performed by the Milford High School Marching Band and and the Milford High School Quarter. Approximately 200 folks attended the ceremony to honor the service and sacrifice of our veterans and their families.
THANK YOU!
Citizens for Milford extends its sincerest appreciation to Milford Veterans Services and the Milford Parks Commission, whose enthusiastic support make all of these community projects possible. Citizens for Milford is also grateful for our continuing partnership with the Milford Corps of the Salvation Army, as well as help from the Milford Junior Woman’s Club and Montgomery Lodge, in maintaining and expanding the Field of Flags. Thank you all!
