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Last month marked the 100th anniversary of the United States entering World War I. Commemorations have been big and small. They’ve been private and public. Each takes on a unique focus. For some of the soldiers, sailors, and Marines who hailed from Lawrence, Massachusetts and are honored overseas, they received a special commemoration.
Marc Laplante, a member of the Lawrence City Council, along with this wife and three sons traveled to France and Luxembourg last month to pay tribute to these men. “It intrigued me that when these boys returned home from a brutal war, they became the city officials and business leaders whose shoulders I stand on today as a city councilor,” said Laplante. The family visited three World War I cemeteries, including Aisne-Marne American Cemetery, Meuse-Argonne American Cemetery, and Oise-Aisne American Cemetery, in addition to two World War II cemeteries, Luxembourg American Cemetery and Normandy American Cemetery.
Having done his research ahead of time, Laplante had a list of names for each cemetery, knowing exactly who came from Lawrence, Massachusetts. At each site, the family visited the gravesite and the Walls of the Missing for those who came from their city. They placed a Lawrence city flag, along with the American and host nation flag at each location before pausing to remember and reflect on the person’s sacrifice. In total, 52 men from Lawrence are honored at these five cemeteries. During the visit Laplante presented a city resolution to each cemetery, thanking the staff for their service as the caretakers of these graves. But he didn’t stop with just a city resolution. He worked with Congresswoman Niki Tsongas, Governor Charlie Baker, Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito, and Massachusetts Secretary of Veterans’ Services Francisco Urena to obtain resolutions to recognize the work of the American Battle Monuments Commission.
Upon returning to Massachusetts, Laplante reflected on this once in a lifetime trip. “I still get goose bumps thinking about the opportunity we had to remember those Lawrence boys in such a special and official way,” said Laplante. “We often say, ‘Never Forget.’ It truly was an honor and a privilege, with the support of my community and others who feel a connection, to undertake this pilgrimage. We have not forgotten.”
