SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) - A ceremony was held in Springfield on Sunday to honor Michael D. Biakis, a Springfield native who lost his life during World War II.

Biakis was a 21-year-old U.S. Air Force B-24 co-pilot who completed 37 bombing missions during World War II. He tragically died during a training exercise over the North Sea on January 19, 1945, when his aircraft, 'Little Lulu,' became disoriented in a sudden snow squall and crashed into the ocean.

Xenophon Beake was twelve years old when Biakis, his cousin, passed away. He expressed his feelings about the ceremony, saying, "I personally didn't have closure. Today is closure day for me."

The ceremony included solemn prayers and was attended by community members, state and local officials, and the Hampden County Sheriff's Honor G

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