COMMENTARY

Eighty years ago this month, a surprise German air raid during World War II destroyed an Allied fleet in an Italian harbor. This disaster led to an important medical breakthrough that commentator Andrew Lam thinks is worth remembering.

Thoughts about the concept of "moral injury" — a relatively new term describing an ancient condition suffered by those who go to war.

Commentator and veteran John Paradis says family members of veterans have also served. In fact they often continue to serve.

Legislation known as the Massachusetts End of Life Options bill is currently sitting in committee. Should it pass the Massachusetts Legislature, the proposal would allow certain terminally ill people to request, obtain and ingest medication to die peacefully in their sleep. This is all quite personal for commentator Madelaine Zadik.

Commentator Robert Chipkin takes many trips — some to places he returns to often. But a recent one? Not so much.

Charles Bailey was desperate. His experimental heart operation to correct mitral stenosis had already killed three people and resulted in his dismissal from two hospitals.

The school year is winding down. Parents and kids are preparing teacher gifts — notes of appreciation, boxes of chocolate, and coffee mugs with apples and pencils in them. Commentator Josh Stearns writes notes to his kids' teachers. But he's wondering: How can we thank them enough?

Deemed a popular destination in the 1890 guide, "Carriage Driving in Western Massachusetts," there were asters, pinks and petunias, as well as cherries, plums and peaches. And, of course, the pansy.

Sixteen-year-old climate activist Ollie Perrault says witnessing first-hand the effects of climate change on her family’s Massachusetts farm inspired her to take action. She says there are lots of other kids her age who share her sense of urgency and have become activists.

Last month, four people were arrested for trespassing after staging a sit-in outside the Mayor’s office at Boston City Hall. They were calling for a public hearing to rename Boston’s Faneuil Hall, an iconic marketplace and public meeting space. Commentator Nick DeLuca says the protests provide us an opportunity to face some uncomfortable history and he hopes we’ll take it.