We approach a very important holiday dedicated to veterans and honoring those men and women in the Armed Services for their service and sacrifice to our country. While there will be holiday sales and a day off from school and/or work, a temporary reprieve from the daily grind, let’s keep in mind that this wouldn’t be possible without the dedication and boundless efforts of our service members.
If you’re contemplating ways to pay tribute to these veterans, there are many military organizations providing support to our troops—Operation Adopt a Soldier, Patriot Hills of New York, and local VFW Post 420, to name a few, who welcome individuals willing to volunteer their time, help with an event, or make a monetary donation, allowing for continuous support to veterans and their families.
There is always an array of local events to attend, paying tribute to veterans in our area. To name one such occasion, on Saturday, Nov. 8, the Saratoga County Veterans Service Agency will be hosting its third annual Revolutionary Run for Veterans. The 5k event begins at 10 a.m. (registration is at 9 a.m. Please visit www.finishright.com to register) at Fort Hardy Park in Schuylerville. All proceeds benefit the Saratoga County Veterans Trust and Agency fund, established in 2011 by the Board of Supervisors to accept donations and make disbursements to Saratoga County Veterans and veteran’s organizations needing assistance.
Sponsorship of the Revolutionary Run offers area veterans and their families aid with job training, health care, housing and education, as well as military groups and projects that provide support to Saratoga County veterans. All funds stay local. For further information and details, please contact the Veterans Service Agency at (518) 884-4115. The agency also offers a peer-to-peer mentoring program (www.veteranspeertopeer.org) established to provide returning veterans with a veteran mentor who can help with the transition and re-acclimation from combat back into civilian life.
Other celebrations to honor our veterans include a Military Appreciation Weekend at Adirondack Winery Nov. 8-11, welcoming veterans and offering a free wine tasting (with valid military ID) and a special 10 percent discount on wine purchases (call [518] 668-9463 for information) and a grand opening and ribbon cutting ceremony for the Veterans Miracle Center, 10 Interstate Ave., in Colonie on Friday, Nov. 14 and Saturday, Nov. 15, where an open house will begin at 10 a.m. The VMC is a location for struggling heroes to receive basic necessities (clothing, personal hygiene products, bedding, home repair supplies, furniture and more). Contact (518) 438-4370 to let them know if you will attend the open house and/or should you need additional details.
Another way to honor our veterans is to pay tribute to them for their lifelong service and sacrifice to our nation as well as the communities in which they lived and served:
In Remembrance of Sergeant First Class Raymond A. Paradise Jr. (1936-2014)
Born in Albany
Served 35 years with the U.S. Army
He belonged to the 364th General Hospital Unit in Albany and also served overseas in Germany, Headquarter Company, 31st Transportation Battalion. SFC Paradise was the President for local Chapter 421 Woodman of the World as well as a social member of the Colonie Fire Company. His efforts helped to facilitate funding for the flagpole at the fire department whereby both the flag and flagpole were donated by the Woodman of the World organization at a ceremonial raising of the flag, which ensued on Oct. 11, 2014. Raymond A. Paradise Jr. was honored by his family, friends, peers and members of the Colonie Fire Company at the event. He was the father of four children, Raymond E. (Karen), Christopher (Amy), and Joseph (Terri) Paradise and Cynthia A. (Robert) Krasney.
Thank you, SFC Paradise, for your service, your continued dedication to your community, and for your leadership and friendship. We keep you and your family in our thoughts and prayers;
In Remembrance of Eugene (Gene) J. Corsale (1928-2014)
Lifelong Resident of Saratoga Springs and Advocate for Veterans
He volunteered for duty with the U.S. Navy as the Korean War approached and was aboard the Battleship USS Wisconsin and Aircraft Carrier, USS, serving from 1950-54. During his military career, he was awarded many medals and was the recipient to the NYS Senate Liberty Medal as well the NYS Medal for Merit. Mr. Corsale was a member of many veterans’ organizations and community historical societies and served on the Board of Directors within the community where he was also recognized for his outstanding involvement and for making a difference within the community. His lifelong efforts advocating for veterans included working as chairman of the USS Saratoga committee, restoring the St. Peter’s War Memorial on Broadway in Saratoga Springs, and being the originator and co-chairman of the monthly Saratoga County Honor a Deceased Veteran Program beginning in 1999. Eugene Corale also coordinated the installation and dedication of the monument plaque on Railroad Place to those individuals involved in the “Iraq-Afghanistan War and the Global War on Terrorism,” and he successfully renamed the former Geyser Park field to “Veterans Memorial Park.” His advocacy for veteran’s causes and his service to his community continue throughout his life. Eugene J. Corsale passed away this year on March 15 at 85 years of age; husband to Barbara, father to Angela (Joseph) Brady and Anne Marie Corsale (husband Gary Keroack), and a veteran and honorable man.
As Veterans Day comes upon us, extend your hand, reach out to a veteran and thank them for their service, remember their sacrifice, and support the family members whose loved ones didn’t return home. Remember that although the missions may be over, the wars inside the hearts and minds of many service members lingers on. Honor their service and sacrifice.
And as always, thank you to all of our veterans and families for all that you do.
