Vet's Day Road Race in line with great Stoneham tradition
Published on November 1st, 2000
STONEHAM, MA - On a crisp Wednesday afternoon with the bright fall skies free of clouds, Stoneham had a special dedication ceremony in an event organized by the American Legion Post 115 on Armistice Day, Nov. 11, 1936.
On that day, the sun shone down upon a parade of considerable length as it left Stoneham Square at 2:30 p.m. to march south to Maple Street, up Warren to Hancock Street where the first of 11 squares were dedicated as a memorial to the 10 Stoneham men own who were killed during World War I and one Stoneham patriot killed in the Spanish War.
Citizens lined the streets of Stoneham for this special Armistice Day of 1936. The eleven squares were to serve as a lasting tribute to honor these American lads, who in answering their call to duty paid the ultimate sacrifice for freedom — dying for their country on the field of battle.
The services at each square were brief with thousands of people observing the special dedication at each site. The Legionnaires and other parade participants totaled more than 600 and took more than two hours to complete their solemn task. The American Legion Post 115 was credited for their fine work in preparing the program and the many details that went along with an event of this caliber.
The 10 World War I veterans included Philip Robinson who died from the effects of gas received at Chateau Thierry, France; Roy Taylor who died in action at Gilacourt Wood, France; John Cody; John DeVeau; and Alston Dike all who succumbed to wounds received in battle; and Leverett Brent, Roby Martin, Frank Kirk, Roy Stone and Arthur F. Finnegan who were killed in action serving their country.
The eleventh dedication was for James McGolgan, a Spanish War Veteran, whose Square was dedicated at the junction of William and Pleasant Streets.
Armistice Day was first held at 11:11 a.m. on Nov. 11th, 1918 when the world observed a moment of silence for the cease-fire of World War I. In 1954, at the end of the Korean War, the holiday's name was changed to Veterans' Day so that all wars would be remembered.
This year...
This Veterans' Day the American Legion Post 115 will once again host an event of historic caliber as it presents the inaugural running of the Veterans' Memorial Road Race, the only USATF 11K certified course running in America.
The theme for the road race is "We Remember — remembering our veterans into the millennium." The event seeks to honor and recognize veterans and active duty personnel. Wearing specially colored race numbers, these honorees will be seeded to the front of the starting line in parade-like fashion by an Honor Guard Unit.
In addition, there will be a special award honoring the first male/female veteran and the first male/female military persons to complete the 6.835-mile course. Camp Curtis Guild, the Air Force Recruiting of Portsmouth, New Hampshire, Fort Devens and Hanscom Air Force Base support the race.
Aside from the awards ceremony following the race, the American Legion also has plans for an extended post-race celebration that is open to the general public. At this celebration the AHL team, the Lowell Lockmonsters will seek to entertain the crowd with a free "slap shot" contest and a special guest appearance by Louie the mascot to entertain our young hockey fans.
The Ladies Auxiliary of the VFW, Air Force Recruiters, an Honor Guard unit from Camp Curtis Guild and a replica F-16 Fighter Jet will be available for the public on the Town Common.
Runners, walkers and spectators are all encouraged to come out on Veterans Day and be a part of this event and to help honor our veterans and militia.
For more information on the race, call the American Legion at (781) 438-9716, e-mails to info@vets11k.org or logon at www.vets11k.org.
Runners may obtain a race application at the American Legion located at 11 Common Street in Stoneham, clicking on "entry form" on page one of the Web site, by logging onto www.coolrunning.com or may register on line using a credit card at www.active.com /event_detail.cfm?/event_id=246809.
Donations, including monetary or raffle prize items are still being accepted. If you would like to make a contribution to help out with this worthy event, kindly mail your donation to Veterans Memorial 11K, Post Office Box 242, Stoneham, MA 02155. or call the Race Committee at the American Legion Post 115 at (781) 438-9716.
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