(SpectrumNews- Amanda Keane) Each of these families are tied by a common thread and a yellow rose. Their loved one did not return home from battle.
The family of Sergeant Jose Neves, a purple heart recipient, who lived in Hudson when he joined the service, often couldn’t bring themselves to speak about his death.
“My mother and my parents didn’t want to talk about it. They buried their grief, and I understand why,” said Robert Borella, a Gold Star nephew.
Sgt. Neves was killed in 1944 fighting in World War II. His family so traumatized by the loss, they barely spoke of him. They kept all his letters and his belongings in a chest.
“I never thought this moment would ever really happen to be honest with you,” said Robert Borella, a Gold Star nephew.
Now his niece and nephews want to remember his sacrifice. They accepted the Medal of Liberty on his behalf, an honor given by the state to those who were killed in action.
Another honor the state recognizes is the Medal of Fidelity. Massachusetts the first to recognize service members who died later because of their service for things like exposure to toxins, radiation, and even post-traumatic stress disorder. It’s this recognition Sen. John Velis, a veteran himself, says makes this state special.
“It’s the really, really, really, important thing to remember. And one of the ways that we can carry on that legacy in this building is to recognize and honor those who didn’t make it home, and those who did make it home, both with physical wounds as well as invisible wounds. That’s our calling in this building, myself and many colleagues here,” said Sen. Velis. “That is our calling.”
The Neves family says that they now feel like they have this cosmic bond with the other gold star families. Although its not a club anyone wishes to be a part of they say, it’s comforting to have the support.