Boston is proud of its patriots. And we’re not only talking about the New England Patriots.
The city has been honoring fallen service members who called the city home with Hero Squares since 1898.
“Since then, we’ve dedicated more than 1,200 Hero Squares for service members killed in action,” said Robert Santiago, the city’s commissioner of veterans services.
Santiago is a Navy veteran who served during Operation Iraqi Freedom. He said that the squares honoring those killed in the Global War on Terror are particularly meaningful to him.
“It hits home to me,” he said of the Hero Squares. “They keep their memories alive.”
World War II veteran and Army Pfc. George Oi is one of those whose memory is being honored by the tribute.
According to his Hero Square, Oi enlisted in the Army on June 5, 1943 and was killed in action in Germany on March 11, 1945.
Another of the Hero Squares is named after Marine Pfc. Seymour P. Sadberry, pictured below. Sadberry, 20, was killed in Vietnam on Oct. 30, 1965. According to military records, Sadberry was a combat engineer who served with the 3rd Combat Engineer Battalion.
His family was on hand at the ceremony to dedicate a Hero Square in his honor.
Santiago said the Hero Squares are treasured by both the community and the families of the fallen service members who are honored.
“They are meaningful to the families and the community," he said.
Hero Squares are easily identifiable. On poles at each designation is a metal plaque dedicated to the fallen service member. Gold stars on each sign pay tribute to the families of the fallen.
“They didn’t serve alone,” said Santiago. “Their families served as well.”
In 2013, the city began adding biography plaques at each Hero Square complete with a barcode that you can scan with your Smartphone, said Santiago. The barcode will take you to a website that provides more details about the service member as well as photos.
“They are located throughout the city,” he continued.
The veteran’s family typically makes a formal request to their city councilor to have a city square or block named in honor of their loved one. The councilor then drafts a proclamation for ratification by the entire council. The Office of Veterans Services then coordinates the production and installation of the signs.
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