Mayor Christenson blends past with present in special Malden Veterans Day celebration

City unveils new World War I statue at Devir Park military service recognition memorial

By Steve Freker

He has been looking at the city with a historical eye all year long, considering the intrinsic story of Malden’s 375th Anniversary being a civic focal point in 2024. On Monday, Mayor Gary Christenson blended the past with the present in a stirring address to a receptive audience, one of the many highlights of a very special Veterans Day celebration. The Mayor referenced last week’s national vote, one of the most closely watched Presidential elections in American history – the results less than a week old – and then gave credit where it was due.

“As you know, last week our nation came together to exercise our fundamental right to vote. Now there has been a lot of focus on the results, from President, to members of Congress, to all the state races and ballot questions,” Mayor Christenson said.

“For me, though, the focus has been on the fact that we live in a country where we have the fundamental freedom to discuss these results, thanks to the veterans who protected them,” the Mayor added. “Without a doubt, it has been their selflessness and service that has strengthened our democracy, and it has been their determination and resolve that has preserved our freedom to participate in the democratic process.”

“I am so proud to say Malden doesn’t forget and our community remains ever grateful,” Mayor Christenson said.

The Mayor had opened his remarks by recalling the words of our 33rd U.S. President, Harry Truman, in a 1945 address to Congress, “Our debt to the heroic men and valiant women in the service of our country can never be repaid. They have earned our undying gratitude. America will never forget their sacrifices.”

The spotlight of the day was on the unveiling of the new, life-size bronze statue of an authentic World War I soldier, in full circa 1917-18 uniform. The statue is one of many now erected in Malden. Several other similar, life-size figures are in place at Forest Dale Cemetery on Forest Street, honoring veterans of World War II, Vietnam and Desert Storm.

Mayor Christenson pointed out that Malden continues to make sure all of its veterans are recognized. “I know of no other community that recognizes it World War I veterans as we have done, and continue to do, in Malden,” the Mayor said.

Dignitaries on hand for the Veterans Day celebration included Malden Veterans’ Services Officer Kevin Jarvis, who drew high praise from the Mayor for “his tireless effort on behalf of the veterans of Malden,” and elected officials state Sen. Jason Lewis (D-5th Middlesex), state Reps. Steven Ultrino (D-Malden) and Paul Donato (D-Malden, Medford), City Council President Steve Winslow (Ward 6), Ward 2 Councillor Paul Condon, Ward 3 Councillor Amanda Linehan, Ward 4 Councillor Ryan O’Malley and Ward 2 School Committee member Rob McCarthy; Malden Police Chief Glenn Cronin, Malden Fire Chief Steve Froio, Assistant Fire Chief Lenny Dunn, Malden Recreation Coordinator Joe Levine, Malden Cemetery Director Chris Rosa, the Malden Police Color Guard, Malden Fire Commissioner Emery Haskell, a military veteran, a bevy of Malden firefighters and various leaders from the city’s miliary-based service organizations, such as the Post 69 American Legion and the Disabled American Veterans.

“We thank our veterans for their service and commitment to protect our nation’s citizens at home and overseas,” said Veterans’ Services Officer Jarvis, himself a veteran and from a family of veterans. As the Mayor did before him. Jarvis praised Malden’s community and city leaders for their efforts in memorializing Malden’s veterans.

Veterans Day is significant in that it began as a remembrance and honor for those who served in World War I, which was known only as “The Great War” after it engulfed Europe from 1914-1918. No one could predict an even larger scale World War would commence 21 years later in 1939.

The United States did not enter the conflict until 1917. Some five million Americans served militarily overseas in the war, and it was the first time in history American troops protected foreign soil in war. Included were nearly 3,000 Malden residents, all of their names inscribed on a beautiful Memorial Wall at Devir Park. Sadly, 117,000 U.S. Army soldiers – the wide bulk of those who served – died in Europe during The Great War.

Contributing to the Veterans Day celebration were a local Girl Scout troop, who led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance; Malden High School senior Kimberlee Smith, who sang the National Anthem; Malden High student Jack, who sang “My Country ’Tis of Thee”; and Malden High senior Sean Retotal, who played “Taps” on the trumpet. All received much applause from the audience.

Malden Fire Commissioner Emery Haskell was the final speaker, and he also spoke of his admiration for all Malden does for veterans. He also read a proclamation and shared in the presentation of a special award to Deb Olson, a longtime officer of the Malden Disabled American Veterans (DAV) and former Mass. DAV State Commander, for all her service to both local veterans and those statewide.