Anyone who passes the Howe Street Bridge on Rte. 213 in Methuen remembers what they saw. No matter what your political views may be, you can't help but notice the 150 American Flags donated and displayed there by Jim Wareing, Malden's Customer Service Director.
Jim first placed flags on the bridge after September 11 , began adding more each day when the current crises in Iraq began heating up. "I didn't do this to get the press", Jim said. "\ wanted to make a statement. People take the American flag for granted, and sometimes a vocal minority is noticed. This is my reply."
Three of the large flags on the bridge were donated by a grateful government when Jim's step father, uncle, and another relative who was a veteran, passed away. Jim purchased the majority of the others himself, but has also had some flags and ribbons donated to him.
Jim began working for Malden Mills in February, 1979 in the Quality Department on Canal Street. In 1981 he moved to the Credit Department, working for Cesar Aguilar. Since 1998 he has held the position of Customer Service Manager, now located in the Polartec Building mezzanine.
Incidentally, he has equally decorated the Rte. 495 bridge and a bridge over the Mass. Pike in Boston, and his license place reads "LOVUSA".
