Special to the Patriot-Bridge
On Monday, May 27 at 3:00 p.m. ET, the National Parks of Boston, USS Constitution, and the USS Constitution Museum will commemorate Memorial Day by participating in “Taps Across America.” This national event honors our nation’s veterans and those who made the ultimate sacrifice for the United States of America.
At 3:00 p.m. in their respective locations and time zones, thousands of buglers from around the country play “Taps” to acknowledge those who have served in the United States Armed Forces. The sites include private ceremonies and public spaces. Observers are asked to remain silent during this time of remembrance.
It is the first time the National Parks of Boston is participating in this program. Taps for Veterans assisted the park in finding buglers to play “Taps” at the Bunker Hill Monument (at the Colonel William Prescott statue) and Charlestown Navy Yard (at the large flagpole at the base of Pier 1). Lisa Mula of Somerville, MA, a retired Massachusetts state trooper, will perform at the Bunker Hill Monument. John Vetere of Andover, MA, will play at the Charlestown Navy Yard. Vetere is the father of two active-duty service members, one in the U.S. Marine Corps and one in the U.S. Navy.
Park staff members will also lay wreaths on Memorial Day at the Bunker Hill Monument and Charlestown Navy Yard.
“The National Parks of Boston is proud to join ‘Taps Across America’ to honor our nation’s veterans this Memorial Day,” said National Parks of Boston Superintendent Michael Creasey. “We encourage the public to join us at the Bunker Hill Monument and Charlestown Navy Yard to pay tribute to those who have served and sacrificed for us all.”
National Parks of Boston sites, USS Constitution, and the USS Constitution Museum are open to the public on Memorial Day. Constitution and the Museum will also be hosting public programs to commemorate the day.
The National Parks of Boston is a collection of three National Park Service sites – Boston National Historical Park, Boston African American National Historic Site, and Boston Harbor Islands National and State Park. Established by individual legislation and for designated purposes, the three units have come together under a unified organizational umbrella to collaborate in ways that celebrate our cultural heritage, reconnect people to history and nature, and provide outdoor recreation opportunities on land and on the water. For more information, visit: www.nps.gov/bost, www.nps.gov/boaf, and www.bostonharborislands.org.
USS Constitution, America’s Ship of State, is the world’s oldest commissioned warship afloat and played a crucial role in the Barbary Wars and the War of 1812, actively defending sea lanes from 1797 to 1855. USS Constitution was undefeated in battle and destroyed or captured 33 opponents. The ship earned the nickname of Old Ironsides during the War of 1812 when British cannonballs were seen bouncing off the ship’s wooden hull. The active-duty Sailors stationed aboard USS Constitution provide free tours and offer public visitation as they support the ship’s mission of promoting the Navy’s history and maritime heritage and raising awareness of the importance of a sustained naval presence. For information, visit www.navy.mil/uss-constitution.
The USS Constitution Museum serves as the memory and educational voice of USS Constitution by offering award-winning exhibits where all ages can have fun while learning and exploring history together. The Museum’s mission is to engage visitors in the story of Constitution to spark excitement about maritime heritage, naval service, and the American experience. The Museum is open seven days a week with a pay-what-you-wish admission policy, and the Virtual Museum is open 24/7.
The USS Constitution Museum is a 2022 winner in USA Today’s 10Best Readers’ Choice in the “Best History Museum” category and a 2023 winner of Boston Parents Paper’s Family Favorites in the “Historic Sites & Tours” and “Museums & Attractions” categories. For more information, visit usscm.org.