Local War Heroes honors veterans, past and present
BALLSTON SPA, N.Y. >> Saratoga County History Roundtable honored local veterans present and past at its latest event by presenting the stories of four decorated Saratoga County war heroes.
The program, titled Local War Heroes, featured presentations about men who served in four different 20th century wars from World War I to Vietnam.
They were World War I veteran Sylvester Howland, World War II veteran Floyd Mabb, World War II and Korean War veteran John W. Martin and Vietnam veteran David Wallingford, who attended and spoke at the event on Wednesday at the Brookside Museum in Ballston Spa.
“This is a special program,” said Saratoga County History Roundtable coordinator Jim Richmond. “It’s a special night that we honor our veterans.”
After Malta Town Historian Paul Perreault told Wallingford’s story, attendees had the opportunity to hear from the local veteran himself. “The experience of war changes you dramatically,” he shared, telling about his time in Vietnam as a member of the U.S. Marine Corps.
Along with receiving a Bronze Star Medal and numerous other awards, Wallingford remains active in the local veteran community, including his role with the The Friends of the New York State Military Museum and Malta Veterans Appreciation Program.
The presentation on Martin, a Northumberland native, was given by Saratoga County Historian Lauren Roberts. She told of his experiences in both World War II and the Korean War as well as the details of how his remains were discovered and brought home to Saratoga County decades after his service.
“Thank you very much for listening to his story and helping honor him,” Roberts said at the end of her presentation.
Martin was also recently honored during the Saratoga County’s October 2019 Deceased Veterans Ceremony.
To be honored at this month’s county ceremony is Floyd Mabb, a Round Lake native who was in the U.S. Army during World War II. Mabb’s story recently came into the spotlight when his Purple Heart award was discovered in a purse purchased at a garage sale, and returned to his family after being lost for many years.
After sharing about Mabb’s role in the D-Day parachute landing and the Battle of the Bulge, presenter Karen Staulters, Town of Milton Historian, said, “Thank you for your service and ultimate sacrifice. We salute you.”
Town of Waterford Historian Russ Vandervoort relayed some interesting facts about Howland, from Waterford, including the story of a life-saving rescue effort he made in Troy after his military service. “I think he lives his life not fearing any
thing,” Vandervoort said.
From the early 1900s to present day, the Saratoga County History Roundtable covered a long stretch of military history.
“I’m sure that the memories we share tonight are still in the hearts and minds of the families of these men,” said Richmond, who called Wednesday’s event a very engaging evening.
More information about Saratoga County History Roundtable and its other upcoming events is available online at saratogacountyhistoryroundtable.com.