Otterstedt accepts a certificate from Neuhaus
CHESTER – A local World War II veteran got the surprise birthday party of a lifetime on Friday.
Family, friends, service personnel and local public figures got together on Memorial Day weekend to celebrate the 100th birthday of Edward Otterstedt, a Chester native who dedicated his life to serving the community.
His family worked with Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney (D, NY-18) to surprise him on his special day.
“There are a lot of things about being in public service that are unpleasant, and there are days where you get to something that makes you feel good,” the congressman said.
Maloney talked about how his staff received word of Otterstedt’s accomplishments and impact on the community of Chester, and Maloney, whose father was a WWII veteran, knew he had to honor Otterstedt, whose birthday was last month.
Otterstedt’s legacy began as an accomplished high school student who played baseball and performed in plays. He enlisted in the Army with his two best friends in 1943, and was honorably discharged a year later following an injury stemming from an artillery blast.
After returning home, he served his community as a volunteer firefighter for the Chester Fire Company, as a village trustee, and as a member of the Chester Historical Society and Kiwanis Club.
For his service, Otterstedt received the Purple Heart commemorative coin
from State Senator William Larkin (R, Cornwall-on-Hudson), a certificate
honoring his birthday from Orange County Executive Steven Neuhaus, a proclamation
from the Chester Fire District and a special American flag that was flown
over the U.S. Capitol building.
Otterstedt said the firehouse celebration was “a big surprise” to him.
“I didn’t realize I had so many friends,” he said. “Of course, over the years, I lost a lot. I spent a lot of time in this firehouse with the boys.”
Otterstedt, who had just returned from the doctor, said he was told he has “a few of more years to go.”
Neuhaus said Otterstedt “has done a tremendous amount of work for our community. He’s a great man, no nonsense, and him turning 100 [years old] is just a blessing.”
“We’re back home in our district, and we’re showing appreciation for someone who built this community to what it is [today],” said Larkin, a retired career Army officer.
Maloney said to present Otterstedt with a flag that flew over the capitol on the occasion of his 100th birthday is “a small token appreciation for someone who fought in World War II and has been a wonderful member of the community since then. That’s what Memorial Day has to be all about, thanking our veterans.”
