Home Base

Sights and sounds from iconic Memorial Day Flag Garden 2026

May 20, 2026 — Flag Planting

Despite record-breaking heat, 700 volunteers — including Boston Red Sox pitcher Tanner Houck and his wife, Abby, our 2026 Red Sox Foundation Partner Captains — joined Home Base to create the iconic Memorial Day Flag Garden on Boston Common. More than 37,000 American flags were planted in front of the Soldiers and Sailors Monument to represent and honor every brave Massachusetts Service Member who lost their life serving our Nation since the Revolutionary War.

We extend sincere thanks to our lead sponsor, Hanscom Federal Credit Union, for their ongoing commitment to this breathtaking tribute and support of Massachusetts Families of the Fallen as well as champion sponsor, John Hancock, and patriot sponsors, Eastern Bank and Newmark, for their generosity. We also thank Rotary District 7930 for their special contribution of 20,000 flags to help us properly and respectfully honor tens of thousands of Massachusetts Fallen Heroes.

May 21, 2026 — Name Reading Ceremony

The following day, Home Base returned to Boston Common to honor Massachusetts Fallen Heroes and their Families with a moving name reading ceremony.

Members of Families of the Fallen honored their loved ones by reading their names, while featured speakers included Home Base Executive Director Retired Brigadier General Jack Hammond, Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey, Massachusetts Secretary of Veterans Services Eric Goralnick, and Christie Coombs, whose husband, Jeff, sadly passed away during the September 11 attacks.

For the third year in a row, a yellow wreath was laid during the ceremony to mark expanded outreach to pre-9/11 Military Bereaved Families.

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Please also click here to read a Memorial Day message from Retired Brigadier General Jack Hammond, Executive Director of Home Base.