New Bedford Guide Your Guide to New Bedford and South Coast, MA
“A traveling memorial honoring American servicemen and women lost in the Global War on Terror will be on display at the New Bedford Regional Airport Sunday through Tuesday.
Remembering Our Fallen is an emotional exhibit featuring 34 tribute towers with military and personal photos of more than 5,000 fallen soldiers lost since 9/11. It includes those killed in training accidents, combat, as well as suicides stemming from post-traumatic stress disorder.
One of those pictures is of LCpl. Matthew Rodriguez, a Marine from Fairhaven who was killed in action in the Helmand Province, Afghanistan, on Dec. 11, 2013. The foundation created to remember LCpl. Rodriguez worked with the City to organize the memorial’s arrival.
“LCpl. Rodriguez made the ultimate sacrifice,” Mayor Jon Mitchell said. “He was a local kid who served his country with courage and distinction, and his example of selflessness will long endure.”
“I’m really proud this memorial is coming to New Bedford,” said Mike Knabbe of the LCpl. Matthew Rodriguez Memorial Foundation. “It travels the country over the course of the year, and we thought there would be no better place to showcase these heroes and their sacrifice than here in New Bedford.”
Mayor Mitchell and others will speak at a memorial ceremony for LCpl. Rodriguez and other fallen soldiers at the exhibit on Monday, Dec. 11, at 3 p.m., which is the 10th anniversary of LCpl. Rodriguez’ death. The exhibit and ceremony will be located inside the hangar at 1447 Airport Road. It is free to attend during the three-day stop in New Bedford.
The City is moving forward with plans to build a permanent monument in the South End to Greater New Bedford residents who served in the Global War on Terror. Mayor Mitchell recently announced the city has selected Martha Schwartz Partners to design and construct the monument. MSP is a world-renowned architecture and design firm with offices in New York, London and Shanghai that has won numerous awards for projects in Europe, Asia and the U.S.
Remembering Our Fallen Exhibit Comes to New Bedford
WHEN: Sunday, Dec. 10 (12-6 p.m.), Monday, Dec. 11 (9 a.m. to 6 p.m.) and Tuesday, Dec. 12 (9 a.m. to noon)
MEMORIAL CEREMONY: Monday, Dec. 11 at 3 p.m.
WHERE: Hangar at 1447 Airport Road in New Bedford on the grounds of the New Bedford Regional Airport.”
