Malden Veterans Day Parade returns on Nov. 11

Longtime Legion Post #69 Chaplain ‘Connie’ Murphy is Grand Marshal; new route for parade in 2021

  After nearly two years of absences due to the COVID-19 pandemic, a number of longstanding traditions are beginning to return to Malden. A major restoration to the local calendar will take place next week when the Malden Veterans Day Parade is held on Thursday, November 11.

  Grand Marshal in 2021 for the Veterans Day Parade will be Cornelius “Connie” Murphy, who has served as Post Chaplain at the American Legion Post #69. The day’s events will begin at 9:00 a.m. with a Memorial Service open to the public, which will be held in front of the Post building.

  For the first time in many years, decades in fact, the Veterans Day Parade will have a new starting point and new route, when it steps off following the memorial service. Traditionally, the parade began at the former Malden American Legion Post #69 home, which was located on Pleasant Street across from the Beebe K-8 School. After being cancelled in November 2020 due to COVID-19 concerns, the parade once again will begin at the Legion Post, but from its new location, 75 Meridian St., behind Bell Rock Park. The Legion Post relocated to Meridian Street (former Eagles Club) about 18 months ago. This year parade participants will form up on Meridian Street and turn left onto Wigglesworth Street. The parade will proceed from Wigglesworth Street, left at Main Street and will continue north turning left onto Pleasant Street. The parade will end at City Hall Plaza with a performance in honor of this year’s Grand Marshal.

  For further information about the parade or to participate, please call the Malden Veterans Office at 781-397-7139 or email kjarvis@cityofmalden.org. All groups are advised to call the Malden Veterans office to confirm that they will be participating in the parade and to provide the name of a point of contact and telephone number for the group.

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A History of Veterans Day

  For 40 years, November 11 was celebrated with solemn honor as Armistice Day, marking the end of “The Great War,” on November 11, 1918. This was a global holiday, with the first official Armistice Day marked with huge crowds in Great Britain, Paris and New York City on November 11, 1919. The Armistice was a truce signed by both sides in the war, which nearly three decades later began to be called “World War I,” on the 11th minute, of the 11th hour, of the 11th day of the 11th month.”

  In 1958, President Dwight D. Eisenhower, a decorated General whose military career spanned both World Wars (1915-1948) signed legislation renaming Armistice Day to Veterans Day and making November 11 a national holiday and day of recollection and acknowledgement for our nation’s military veterans. Veterans Day continues to be observed on November 11, regardless of what day of the week on which it falls. The restoration of the observance of Veterans Day to November 11 not only preserves the historical significance of the date, but helps focus attention on the important purpose of Veterans Day: a celebration to honor America’s veterans for their patriotism, love of country and willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good.