Malta Honors Its Vets

The Town of Malta and the Malta Veterans Appreciation Program honored its veterans and unveiled new additions to its veterans memorial in a recent ceremony outside the town building. 

The ceremony took place at the David T.  Wallingford Veteran Park on Route Nine, outside the Town of Malta town hall. The ceremony featured State Senator James Tedisco (NY-40) and New York Assemblywoman Carrie Woerner who both spoke at the event. 

The program unveiled 58 bricks at the memorial. Each brick was purchased by community members to honor a specific veteran or to support the work of program and show appreciation for veterans in the Malta area. Proceeds from the sale of the bricks help the program continue their work with veterans. 

During the ceremony, Sen. Tedisco awarded the organization the Senate’s Empire Award for their work with veterans. In addition, Assemblywoman Woerner presented a resolution honoring David Wallingford to his widow. Wallingford was a Vietnam War veteran and active member of the Malta community who died in March. 

In his remarks, Tedisco praised the veterans and the work of the Wallingford family for their work in the community. Similar remarks were made by Assemblywoman Woerner who highlighted the work of veterans in the community including the Wallingford family. 

“When the history of New York is written and people go into the law books to look at who were the leaders of our era, they will find David T Wallingford as one as one of the people who shaped our state and community,” Assemblywoman Woerner said. 

Rennee Farley, Chairperson of the Malta Veterans Appreciation Program said the program started in 2016 as a way to give back to veterans in the community.  They took over the monument in 2017 and have been expanding it ever since. 

Beyond the monument, Farley said the program works to meet veterans needs no matter what they need. 

“In just this year, we’ve already done four roofs, completely replaced two floors, we’ve done a handicap ramp, fixed two vehicles and a lot of groceries,” Farley said. “We don’t just try to fix them temporarily; we try to fix them permanently.” 

Farley said the program works with other organizations to find those permanent solutions while they work on the immediate problems. They also help veterans find homes through their Homes for Hometown Heroes program. 

Farley highlighted the work they do and encouraged others to donate not just money but time as well through volunteering 

“There something for everyone,” Farley said. “If someone says, ‘ I love my country, I love our soldiers, I wish I knew what to do,’ call me because I know what needs to be done.”