Veterans' Day Road Race begins on the eleventh hour
Published on November 8th, 2000
STONEHAM, MA - This Saturday, the 11th day of the 11th month -- Veterans' Day, Stoneham will honor veterans and active duty personnel with a unique event: the inaugural running of the only certified 11K Road Race in America.
At 11 a.m. the Veterans Memorial Road Race will get under way on Central Street, Stoneham, when two Honor Guard units march the veteran and active duty runners to the starting line at the corner of Emerson and Central Streets. The Honor Guard units will then stand with colors on both sides of Central Street for the observance of a moment of silence in recognition of this solemn occasion. Armistice Day was first observed at 11:11 a.m. on Nov. 11, 1918, when a moment of silence was held to observe the cease-fire of World War I. In 1954, at the end of the Korean War, the holiday name was changed to Veterans' Day so that all wars would be remembered.
Following the observance of a moment of silence, TAPs will be played and then the firing of a cannon to start this historic race. The theme for the race is "We Remember: remembering our veterans, past, present and current into the millennium." Runners will proceed down Central Street to Main Street/ Route 28, circle Spot Pond and return up Main Street to finish on Central Street in front of the Vietnam War Memorial. Officer Ed Apalakis and volunteers recently painted red, white and blue stars to mark both the start and finish lines on Central Street.
Following the 6.835 mile run a post race celebration will be held on the Town's recently completed Common. The Air Force will display an F-16 replica fighter jet, and members from the Air Force, the Army Reserve and Camp Curtis Guild will be on hand for the public.
Colonel Tavado of Hanscom Air Force Base will award a trophy to the first male and female veteran and the first male and female active duty member to complete the course. The regular division awards will then be presented to the winners of the race in their respective categories.
A raffle drawing will be conducted following the awards ceremony. Raffle prizes include tickets to the Showcase Cinema, a massage, two jackets courtesy of Harvey Industries and other merchant gift certificates, including one from The Watchmaker.
The VFW Ladies Auxiliary and the World War II Committee will also have a display on the Town Common. In the center of all of this activity, "Louie" the Lockmonster and a hockey "Slap Shot" game will be on display for the public from 10 a.m. to noon. Also for the youngsters, there will be clowns and face painting.
The race proceeds will benefit a Veterans Transportation Unit and the Veterans Mansion, a transitional housing shelter for veterans. The public is encouraged to come out on Veterans' Day and be a part of this event honoring our veterans and militia.
For more information on the race, visit the race Web site at http://www.vets11k.org. or write to the Veterans Memorial 11K, Post Office Box 242, Stoneham, MA 02155, or call the Race Committee at the American Legion Post 115, (781) 438-9716.
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