Massachusetts leaders, retired and current military servicemembers, their families and residents gathered this Veterans Day to find ways to honor all those who have chosen to serve their country.

“I challenge each of you to ask yourselves, ‘How can we as individuals and as a community continue to support those who have served?’” said Andrea Gayle-Bennett, deputy secretary of the Executive Office of Veterans Services, at a event in the Massachusetts State House on Monday. “‘How can we ensure the next generation of veterans receives the recognition, resources and respect they deserve?’”

Veterans gathered in rows the Great Hall of Flags in the State House on Monday morning, marking the holiday and hearing commitments to honor their service. The program launched with a honor guard and posting of colors, before moving through the national anthem, a POW/MIA remembrance, and remarks from state officials.

The Healey administration highlighted the HERO Act passed in August, which includes over 30 provisions expanding access to behavioral health treatment, increasing the disabled veteran annuity and more.

“In Massachusetts, we’re home to so many firsts, the National Guard, the United States Navy,” said Gov. Maura Healey. “We have a proud heritage of patriotism and of fighting for American democracy, and I’m proud of that.”

State leaders also awarded the Captain Thomas Hudner Jr. Award to Marvin Howard, a dedicated Air Force veteran and over 20 year volunteer with the Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Agawam. With “steadfast commitment,” state officials said, Howard has attended over 12,000 internment ceremonies.

The Captain Thomas Kelley Community Engagement Award went to the Veterans Association of Bristol County, which serves over 400 veterans’ families with food and over 100 with clothing with a staff of only four full time employees. The organization also offers a drop in center for veterans and their families with access to programs and services.

The event drew veterans and those connected to them in the common spirit of honoring the community’s commitment to service.

“All veterans deserve to be remembered,” said Donna Misiaszek, co-volunteer coordinator for the Greater Boston Chapter of Gold Star Wives for America. “And we come because it helps us to heal. We all lost our husbands due to their service, but it helps us to heal by helping other veterans and also being here because they can’t be.”

The chapter’s second volunteer coordinator Donna Brown noted the importance of showing recognition and respect for veterans, asking residents to take time to shake their hands.

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The keynote speaker, president of the New England Center and Home for Veterans Andrew McCawley, recalled the memory of a friend and Navy veteran who died this fall and telling his family of his service at the funeral.

McCawley encouraged audience members to urge veterans to use the support services they’ve earned and to respectfully ask veterans in their life about their service.

“What I want to say here is, regardless of any veterans’ length of service, their rank, their medals and awards, their era of service — overseas, state side, conflict, peace time — or the character of the service; in the aggregate, military service is vital,” McCawley said. “It makes a difference. And no one individual service member functions without the whole.”

Lt. Col. Enoch Woody Woodhouse smiles as he takes part in the Veterans Day celebration at the State House. (Photo By Matt Stone/Boston Herald)
Governor Maura Healey and Lt. Governor Kim Driscoll enter the Veterans Day celebration at the State House. (Photo By Matt Stone/Boston Herald)
Lynn English High School ROTC Ana Niz and Marly Perez participate in the Veterans Day celebration at the State House. (Photo By Matt Stone/Boston Herald)