Gov. Maura Healey and state leaders honor Gold Star families at 13th annual ceremony

Governor Maura Healey joined state and military leaders at the Commonwealth’s 13th annual Gold Star Family Tree event to honor families who lost relatives while serving in the U.S. military. The ceremony included prayers, musical performances, public readings, and personal remembrances from dozens of Gold Star family members.

Brigadier General (ret.) Tom Sollars opened the program with a personal story and asked attendees to remember why service matters. "A soldier fights because he loves what in fact is behind — his family, his friends, his country, his freedom," Sollars said, telling families to take time to connect while honoring the fallen.

Governor Maura Healey thanked families and organizers and urged those in the room and watching remotely to keep Gold Star families in mind year-round. "You should know you're not alone," Healey said, thanking the Military Friends Foundation and state officials for supporting veterans and their families. She noted the Commonwealth’s work on veterans’ benefits and programs and recognized legislative and executive partners in attendance.

Dr. John Santiago, the first secretary of the Executive Office of Veteran Services, said the administration would continue outreach and support for families. "As long as I'm here, we're committed to working with you, by you," Santiago told attendees, praising staff and volunteers who connect families with services and resources.

Treasurer Deb Goldberg and Major General Gary Keith also addressed the audience, thanking staff and honoring the sacrifices of service members. "We are forever indebted to you and our fallen heroes," Goldberg said, adding wishes for a peaceful holiday season. Major General Keith reflected on the small share of Americans who serve and pledged to keep the stories of those on the memorial tree alive.

The program included music by Ayla Brown, a prayer by Father William (Bill) Kennedy, a reading by Gold Star father Ray Torvill about support from the Military Friends Foundation, and a family-oriented reading of 'Twas the Night Before Christmas' led by the first lady. Organizers announced that a tree-lighting would take place later in the evening and that children received copies of the reading book as part of the tradition.

The ceremony closed with Gold Star families invited to come forward to share the names, rank and hometowns of their loved ones. Many family members briefly described how their relatives served and, where they chose to say so, what caused their deaths, including combat-related incidents, exposure-related illnesses and deaths attributed to suicide or PTSD. The event emphasized remembrance and state-level programs and outreach rather than formal policy actions or votes.

Organizers said the gathering is intended to be an annual moment of remembrance and connection. The tree lighting, a community tradition referenced repeatedly in remarks, closed the public portion of the program later in the evening.