Special to the Star-Herald
Joseph V. Malena currently lives in the small town of Masardis, in Aroostook County, but his life has been much more than normal. He was originally from Pennsylvania, being born one month prior to the death of his father who was one of over 1,000 U. S. Army soldiers who were killed when a German V-Rocket crashed into a British transport ship, the HMT Rohnan in the North Atlantic European Theatre.
After his birth, he was given up for adoption and was raised in Ashland by his new parents, Thomas and June Boyce. After high school, Malena joined the U. S. Army and got his training at Fort Dix. From there, he was sent on a tour of duty in Viet Nam. He received the Army’s Commendation Medal.
He served at Quinhon in the 44th Medical Brigade in the 67 Evac Hospital. Along with other duties, he was an ambulance driver as well as using a wrecker to clear out American vehicles that were bombed.
After his return home, Malena set up establishing a memorial site for his father. He refers to it as “Father’s Little Corner.” Joseph V. Malena Sr. is buried in North Africa, so this is a personal, special place he can go to for peace and to feel close to the father he never knew.
Other than his military life, Malena served as a police officer in Lynn, Mass., and full-time reserve in Kennebunk, as well as part-time reserve in Kennebunkport through the terms when George Bush was vice president under Reagan and when George W. Bush was president and they were at home in Maine. He was also a police officer at Ashland and advanced to chief soon after.
Joseph “Vince” Malena lost both legs due to Agent Orange exposure. But don’t think this slowed him down, he is more than active, enjoying going to the fair to see the horses and other activities. Thanks to the generous help from the VA, he is able to go to the mall, and enjoys hunting and fishing. They assisted him in getting a special lift on his pickup which enables him to get into the passenger seat of the truck, while storing his wheelchair on the back.
His wife, Dorothy, is a former CNA and now a home caregiver full-time for her husband. The couple enjoy their family life and have the love of their dog, Katie, as well. Their son, Travis Malena, is currently a member in the U.S. Army (REG) and holds the rank of staff sergeant. He served as a recruiter in the Bangor area after a one-year tour of duty in Iraq and will be returning for his second tour in December. He is married to Ann Cowperthwaite Malena.
Joseph Malena, along with a long-time friend, Donald Rafford Jr., have been busy with a special flag project. They combined forces through the local VFW, working on a committee to raise money to purchase flags for the town of Masardis. They got donations for eight flags, and four more individuals bought one each, making their total 12. They then traveled to the Galen Cole Museum who donated matching flags. Due to further assistance from the Cole museum and its staff, the two men returned with a total of 36 flags for the telephone poles all throughout Masardis’ main way.
This simple act of patriotism caught on and flags are now seen waving proudly along Route 11 clear to Patten!
The town of Masardis and all of the Ashland area owes a thank-you to those who assisted Malena and Rafford with this grand show of patriotism, much needed in this day.
Photo courtesy of Christie Cochran
PATRIOTIC EVEN IN CASUAL WEAR, Joseph Malena Jr. shows his true colors in his daily routine. Pictured, from left: Donald Rafford, family friend; Joseph and Dorothy Malena.
Photo courtesy of Christie Cochran
THREE GENERATIONS of the Malena family have served in the armed forces. Joseph Malena Jr. proudly displays photos of he, his father and son. Pictured are: Joseph V. Malena Sr., WWII; Joseph V. Malena Jr., Viet Nam; and Travis Malena, Iraq.
Photo courtesy of Christie Cochran
Father’s Little Corner – Joseph Malena Jr. created a memorial corner, to honor his father, Joseph Malena Sr., who is buried in North Africa.
