Bridges Across Massachusetts To Be Illuminated Yellow To Honor Local Service Members

August 27, 2021/Boston – Bridges across Massachusetts will be illuminated in yellow this weekend to recognize the service of local troops, especially those serving in Afghanistan.  This is part of a collaboration between Massachusetts Department of Transportation, Massachusetts Department of Veterans’ Services and Military Friends Foundation, a non-profit founded after 9/11 to support military families and families of fallen Heroes.

The Mass DOT bridges joining in the illumination include the Zakim in Boston, Fore River in Quincy, Burns in Shrewsbury & Worcester.

On Thursday, 13 U.S. Service Members were killed and many wounded in multiple terrorist attacks outside of the Kabul airport. There are hundreds of Massachusetts servicemembers serving in the Middle East including Afghanistan.

“Lighting up our bridges reminds me and my family that the service and sacrifice my Soldier is making is meaningful. That everyone supports my son as their own son.” said Blue Star Mother Teresa Burns of Medford.  [This illumination shows that] “we are together as a community holding each other by the hand and holding the hands of all those we’ve lost already.”

Military Friends Foundation worked with state leaders to have this tangible showing of support for members of the Armed Forces. “We are devastated by the recent terrorist attacks and we stand beside the families of the Fallen in their grief and mourn the lives of these American Heroes. The courage they displayed is the epitome of service. Our solemn prayers remain with the men and women serving today on the frontlines in the name of Freedom,” said SGM James Kelly (Ret.), Military Friends Foundation President and Iraq Combat Veteran.