Wednesday, January 20th, 2021

MA Gold Star Families Tree

Massachusetts Gold Star Families Tree 2020 Virtual Experience with Governor Charlie Baker
Premiering Online December 15, 2020 at 5:30PM

View with us on Facebook.com/MilitaryFriendsFoundation at 5:30PM

This year due to COVID-19, we are unable to gather together in person for the annual Massachusetts Gold Star Families Tree Ceremony. Military Friends Foundation will be presenting a special pre-recorded virtual ceremony that will be available to view live on our Facebook page or here online at a time of your choosing. We felt it was important to share this video as soon as it was available so that families could choose to view any time during the holiday season. We wish to extend special thanks to the Office of the Governor & Lt. Governor, MA General Court, Boston Athletic Association/Boston Marathon, MA National Guard, Ms. Karen Lounsbury, and Encore Boston Harbor, the USS Constitution, Boston Veterans’ Services and most especially the Gold Star Families that took part in the video recording. We look forward to being with all of you next year in person at the State House and wish you a peaceful holiday season.

ORNAMENT DISPLAY AND SUBMISSION:

Many ornaments from years past will be displayed on a tree at Encore Boston Harbor. Click here to see an album of the ornaments. If your loved ones ornament does not appear in this album, we invite you to submit a photo of your loved one at the link below through December 24th. https://militaryfriends.wufoo.com/forms/qbj693y1c1v0hs/ Your ornament can be added to the tree by our volunteers or you can request to meet a representative from the Gold Star Mothers and personally place your ornament on the tree.

TREE VIEWING:

The team at Encore Boston Harbor is displaying a tree with the personalized ornaments beginning December 15th through December 31st adjacent to the main lobby next to the Garden Cafe. This is open to view for families or the Fallen and the public. Parking is free and the resort is open 9am-9pm. Please practice social distancing while visiting the the tree. Viewing of the tree may change at anytime without notice in accordance with COVID safety regulations.

ABOUT THE GOLD STAR FAMILIES TREE:

Military Friends Foundation hosts the annual dedication of the “Massachusetts Gold Star Families Tree”. The tree pays tribute to local Service Members who have been killed-in-action, lost their lives on active duty, from hidden wounds of war, or died related to their military or public service. Photos and messages from loved ones are displayed on the tree and serve to remind us of the tremendous sacrifices made for our Freedoms. This project is a partnership between the Military Friends Foundation, the Office of the Governor and the Massachusetts Department of Veterans’ Services. This project is supported by Tough Ruck 26.2 – held in partnership with the Boston Marathon Tough Ruck 26.2 – fueled by the Boston Marathon.