CONTENTS

Part 1

(04:28)
Boston Postmaster James J. Holland opens the ceremony and speaks briefly about Alex and calls for the presentation of colors by the United States Marine Color Guard.

The Pledge of Allegience is led by Victoria Foley’s Stepdaughter, Jessica (McAlister?)

Bill Hart of Sacred Heart Parish in Roslindale (guitar and vocal) performs The Star-Spangled Banner.

Part 2

(06:20)
Postmaster Holland introduces Monsignor Francis Kelley of Sacred Heart Parish, Roslindale, who offers a brief prayer.

Postmaster Holland invites family to unveil the new post office plaque

Postmaster Holland welcomes family, special guests and dignitaries, acknowledging Boston City Councilor Matt O’Malley, Tomas Kelly(?), a retired Massachusetts Secretary of Veteran Affairs and representatives from the offices of Senators John Kerry and Scott Brown. Holland credits these and the late Senator Kennedy for supporting H.R.5877, the bill that authorizes renaming of the post office.

Holland thanks veterans organizations, the Military Friends Foundation, Mass Military Heroes, Hanscom Air Force Base, the Patriot Guard and Rolling Thunder, “an organizaion of motorcyclists...”

Part 3

(03:55)
Postmaster Holland introduces Boston Mayor Tom Menino, who remember Alex.

Part 4

(04:30)
Postmaster Holland introduces Congressman Capuano, who sponsored the bill renaming the post office.

Part 5

(09:00)
Postmaster Holland introduces Congressman Lynch.

Part 6

(02:40)
Postmaster Holland introduces Victoria Foley, who speaks briefly. Her son, Brian remains at her side throughout.

Part 7

(05:00)
Postmaster Holland introduces Massachusetts Secretary of Veteran Affairs, Coleman Nee, presents the Medal of Liberty to Victoria Foley.

Part 8

(08:00)
Postmaster Holland introduces Alex’s father Alexander Brian “Carlos” Arredondo who speaks for several minutes. His son, Brian remains at his side throughout.

Part 9

(06:30)
Postmaster Holland introduces Massachusetts State Senator Sonia Chang-Diaz.

Part 10

(03:15)
Postmaster Holland introduces Alex’s Stepmother Mélida Arredondo, who reads a short poem.

Postmaster Holland introduces Postmaster Holland introduces Blue Star Mothers, who present the gold star banner to Victoria Foley.

Part 11

(06:00)
Postmaster Holland introduces Dan Magoon of the Boston Firefighters Post, who presents flags to Alex’s brothers. (Some action is off-camera.)

Mélida thanks Dan Magoon for helping with the ceremony.

Postmaster Holland introduces Chaplin Roger Hoffman and Ed Aucoin of the Marine Corps League of Massachusetts, who present the family with a plaque and certificates. (Though the video track has a gap during camera reloading from 4:00 to 4:25, the audio continues uninterrupted.)

Part 12

(03:00)
Postmaster Holland introduces Denny Drewry who speaks on behalf of Senator Scott’s office.

Part 13

(05:00)
Bill Hart of Sacred Heart Parish in Roslindale (guitar and vocal) performs This Land is Your Land, by Woody Guthrie.

Postmaster James Holland introduces Monsignor Francis Kelley of Sacred Heart Parish, Roslindale, who delivers a benediction.

White balloons are released as the rain ceases, cloud cover lifts and sunshine appears.

Brian with "Carlos"

The Young Dead Soldiers Do Not Speak

Read by Mélida Arredondo
written by Archibald MacLeish

The young dead soldiers do not speak.
Nevertheless, they are heard in the still houses:
who has not heard them?
They have a silence that speaks for them at night
and when the clock counts.
They say: We were young. We have died.
Remember us.
They say: We have done what we could
but until it is finished it is not done.
They say: We have given our lives but until it is finished
no one can know what our lives gave.
They say: Our deaths are not ours: they are yours,
they will mean what you make them.
They say: Whether our lives and our deaths were for
peace and a new hope or for nothing we cannot say,
it is you who must say this.
We leave you our deaths. Give them their meaning.
We were young, they say. We have died; remember us.

Mélida, "Carlos" and Brian Arredondo
(Carlos changed his name to "Alexander Brian Arredondo.")

Brian Arredondo and his mother, Victoria Foley

Brian with "Carlos" (speaking)
Left to right: US Representative Michael Capuano, Boston Mayor Menino,
State Representative Stephen Lynch and Boston Postmaster James Holland

Our view from the tech van as the rain lifted