Edith G. De Angelis
If you are old enough to remember “the old days” you will remember the uncontrolled growth of the airport as it gobbled up homes, businesses, parks, playgrounds, streets, three of our five islands, and, whole neighborhoods. The loss and desecration of our magnificent Wood Island Park and World War Memorial Park, which was dedicated at Wood Island Park, to HONOR and MEMORIALIZE all the young men and women who gave the supreme sacrifice, their lives in service to our country, in order that we may enjoy our freedoms. This SHAMEFUL DESECRATION by Massport, became the “war cry” as East Boston activists banded together to try to stop any further intrusion, and destruction of our community.
Nothing can ever replace World War Memorial Park or Wood island Park, now under airport runways. However, it is now time, long overdue, that Massport provide a significant memorial to all our veterans, living and deceased, from 1775 to the present day, and, to all our servicemen and women from all branches of the service. The ideal location, for a COMMUNITY APPROVED MEMORIAL, is the Hess site on Condor Street. The Chelsea River, including the Hess site, is SACRED GROUND. Unfortunately, not well known because this Battle never received the recognition it truly deserved. The SECOND BATTLE, INCLUDING AN EARLY IMPORTANT MARITIME ENGAGEMENT, of the AMERICAN REVOLUTION, was fought along the Chelsea River from HOG Island (Orient Heights), to NODDLE’S Island and Chelsea, which is appropriately called THE BATTLE OF NODDLE’S ISLAND, HOG ISLAND AND CHELSEA.
Although it is over two hundred (200) years late, the brave farmers, Native Americans and Colonel Stark and his troops, who marched down from New Hampshire, and WON THE BATTLE must finally be be honored. On MAY 27 AND MAY 28, 1775. The British ship Diana was burned at Winisimmit Chelsea, as their sailors abandoned ship, and, with the British troops escaped down the Chelsea River across the Boston Harbor, in defeat. The brave Patriots were successful and THE VICTORY OF THE BATTLE OF NODDLE’S ISLAND, HOG ISLAND AND CHELSEA paved the way for the BIRTH OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA!
It is not only appropriate, but imperative, that the CITY OF BOSTON declare and designate the CHELSEA RIVER, INCLUDING THE HESS SITE as a BOSTON LANDMARK and as a NATIONAL HERITAGE SITE. This will be a great honor for the City of Boston. Who else can claim this incredible history? We must save what is left of our rich history for generations to come! HISTORIC PRESERVATION IS CRITICAL, and long overdue.
It is also appropriate, and critical, that the MASS PORT AUTHORITY FINALLY REPLACE THE LOST WORLD WAR MEMORIAL PARK. We must finally, appropriately memorialize all our deceased veterans. We must also HONOR our living veterans and all active servicemen and women, and let them know how grateful we are for the many sacrifices they made while serving our country. I respectfully request all veterans, and, veterans groups, and, East Boston residents to express their support for the historic preservation of the Chelsea River , including the Hess site, the designation of the area as a BOSTON LANDMARK and on the NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES, and, the establishment of an appropriate memorial to all our veterans from 1775 to the present day, by contacting Mayor Martin J. Walsh and the Chief Executive Officer of Massport, Dr. Thomas Glynn. I need your help! EAST BOSTON NEEDS YOUR HELP!
It will be a DISGRACE if we do not finally recognize and commemorate VICTORY at the BATTLE OF NODDLE’S ISLAND, HOG ISLAND AND CHELSEA. We MUST HONOR the PATRIOTS, OUR FIRST VETERANS, AND, ALL EAST BOSTON VETERANS FROM 1775 TO THE PRESENT DAY.