Hundreds gathered in the stands of Veterans Memorial Stadium in Lawrence Tuesday night for a candlelight vigil honoring the life of Marine Sergeant Johanny Rosario Pichardo, who was killed in a suicide bombing in Kabul last week. She was 25.
The showing, with everyone from Gov. Charlie Baker to local veterans in attendance, was a testament to the impact Rosario's death has had on the community.
Lawrence Mayor Kendrys Vasquez told the crowd that her life served a higher purpose.
“To unite, to heal, to uplift and to bring hope to a world that seems falling and hopeless. That is the daughter, the friend, the community member that we lost, that we grieve today,” Vasquez said. “A friend who in the spirit of a true Lawrencian opened the doors and gave refuge who most needed at the time they needed it.”
Vasquez ended his remarks with a 13-second moment of silence in honor of Rosario Pichardo and the 12 other service members who were killed in the attack outside the Kabul airport where American soldiers and their Afghan allies were being evacuated.
Baker remarked on how the world often seems to lose its brightest at an early age.
“When we see the sun rise and the sun set, and that full moon shine on this city and this Commonwealth, I hope you all take a moment and remember one of our brightest stars,” he said.
U.S. Rep. Lori Trahan said Rosario lived her life in service to others.
“Our community, our Commonwealth and our country recognize the tremendous debt that we can never fully repay to Johanny and her loved ones for their sacrifice,” she said. “But this community, Lawrence, Massachusetts, has shown time and time again how to support, how to love and how to heal. And Johanny needs us to do that for her family and her friends during this difficult time.”
Those in the crowd clutched American flags and lit candles, some of them singing along to the hymn “Amazing Grace” and “God Bless America.” Several times they chanted Rosario’s name, creating an echo across the stadium.
Among them was Joseph Feeley, 73, who served three years in the Army. He came out to remember a fallen comrade.
“It’s a sad occasion, of course, but I had to come because I knew other veterans that I know were gonna be here,” he said. “I’m from Carver, my post is in Plymouth, but I came up here to honor the young lady that died and honor her service and support her family.”
