Years ago, the city build a war memorial at the corner of High & Pettee Streets, on the ground of the old Emerson School. Sometime later the school was sold and turned into condominiums.
Dick Beecher is a local veteran. He lives in Needham but he grew up in Upper Falls and worked for the City of Newton for many years. Dick became concerned that the memorial appeared to be “orphaned”.
He contacted the city and nobody was quite sure of the status of the memorial. He met with Carol Stapleton from Parks & Rec Dept and she promised that she’d get to the bottom of it. She spoke to the Falls Ridge condo association and they were very supportive. They agreed to trim back the bushes and mow the lawn. The Veterans Council donated a wreath and flags. Parks & Rec donated flowers. Neighbor Liz Reilly who lives down the streets took care of the plantings.
Meanwhile the city’s law department checked out the deed, from the sale of the property. It explicitly allows the city access to the memorial so that they can continue to maintain it, but in the meantime the condo association is happy to take care of it now that the path is clear.
So just in time for Memorial Day, the Upper Falls memorial has suddenly been restored and spruced up. Many thanks to Dick Beecher for getting the ball rolling and to Carol Stapleton, Liz Reilly, Falls Ridge condo association and the Veteran’s Council for making it happen.
The Upper Falls war memorial is now looking good, and the future path for maintaining it is clear.
Thanks, Jerry. And thank you, Dick Beecher. Terrific story.
A really uplifting story. Mr. Beecher is one hell of a guy.
Mr. Beecher is indeed one hell of a a guy. He approached me in the City Hall parking lot after one of his visits to the Mayor’s office to get city attention back on the War Memorial At my request. Assistant City Solicitor Marie Lawler with the help of the City Archivist dug out the documents concerning the sale of the building and grounds. As noted, Carol Stapleton was extraordinarily helpful in coordinating between tthe condo association, the Upper Falls Neighborehood Advisory Council, and Tony Pelegrini of the Veterans Council, who fit this extra work into the preparation for the Memorial Day Parade.
My great Uncle Francis Yates is commemorated on the Memorial for his role as an machine gunner in “the Great War”. After one battle in France, he described the dozens of German Soldiers lying dead on the ground in front of his position. In the Battle of the Ardenne Forest (I believe), he was killled. His Aunt Alice who had raised him visited his grave in one of the Large American Cemetaries as a Gold Star Aunt.
America;’s role in World War I was taking place 100 years ago. The Angier School in Waban was named for another Newton Veteran who made the ultimate sacrifice in the War to End War and to Save Democracy. Now would be a good time to focus our city;s thoughts on them and their brothers in Arms.
City Councilor Brian Yates