East Boston: New Playgrounds and Memorial Day

By Br. Bob Metell, SDB

(East Boston, MA – May 22) – The new soccer field playground is scheduled to be completed by the end of next month. The jungle gym pavilion is finished, and the outdoor court area is about 15 percent complete. The restroom/shower and maintenance building interior are being worked on and should be done soon. Additionally, the soccer scoreboard and most of the lighting are in place.

Once our new playing field park is completed, it will stand as a testament to the power of community collaboration. We will no longer have to march the club members and campers to a city or state park playground as often as we do now. This achievement could not have been possible without the support of our various partnerships, benefactors, administrators, and dedicated construction crews, all working together to create a fantastic playground area for our club members and campers.

This weekend, we pause to honor and remember those who have made the ultimate sacrifice to protect our freedom. As a Cold War Era Coast Guard veteran, I deeply understand and appreciate the sacrifices our military personnel and their families make. While in the Coast Guard, I served aboard two buoy tenders and a 311’ offshore patrol cutter. Living in close quarters, sharing meals, working in extreme conditions, and spending long hours at sea and away from loved ones was an experience and bonding with others I have never forgotten. For many, the phrase “band of brothers and sisters” may be simply something we watched on HBO or a DVD player, but for those of us who experienced military bonding, it is more about being deeply united together. It is a shared experience of joy, sadness, fear, loneliness, and excitement all wrapped up into one. This is something that no person who hasn’t experienced it can fully comprehend. Let us also remember in our prayers and appreciate the dedicated police, fire, rescue, and medical professionals who risk their lives daily to keep us safe. And let's not forget the unsung heroes, the families who share in the sacrifices, as their loved ones serve our communities and nations.

Have a great and blessed Memorial Day weekend.