SOUTH BOSTON — More than 300 people were on hand at the M Street Park in South Boston recently to mark the 41st anniversary of the South Boston Vietnam Memorial. The gathering was hosted by the memorial committee chairman Tom Lyons, along with his fellow committee members and veterans, Harry Carrol, Tom Irwin, Jerry Turner, and George Eagan. The memorial, which recognizes 25 South Boston natives who lost their lives in service to the country, is the believed to be the first Vietnam veterans memorial in the country.

The special guest speaker was Commander B.J. Farrell, the first women to be Commander USS  Constitution, and other speakers included: Gov. Charlie Baker, Congressman Steve Lynch and Mayor Michelle Wu.

For more on the history of the memorial, visit the organization’s website here.

All photos by Bill Brett