Operation Enduring Freedom Flag Raised in Natick

Veterans living at the Natick Whitney Place Assisted Living Residences gathered Friday morning with active duty soldiers from the Natick Labs to raise a flag that had flown over Afghanistan.

The flag that was raised had flown over Camp Phoenix in Kabul, Afghanistan on the 10th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks.

In attendance at the ceremony was state Rep. David Linsky, D-Natick, who spoke about how all American veterans and service members were heroes to him.

"Thankfully the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan are winding down and our men and women are coming home," Linsky said. "But they are coming home with needs and we have an obligation as a country to make sure all of their needs are met."

One of the veterans living at Whitney Place is Haig Markarian. Markarian is currently 101-years-old and during his time in the Army he served at Natick Labs. Other veterans served in the Navy and the Marine Corps.