In photos (left to right): Janet Koelbel and Marion Buchanan; Walter Blair with Debra Blair Debart; and enjoying the Nov. 12 Hall of Springs Veterans Ball, Saratoga-Wilton Elks Exalted Ruler Deborah McCabe, Ed Decker, Gail Decker, Sharon Sommer, Al Sommer, Cheryl Hage-Perez, Esquire Gerry Conboy and John Safford. Photos provided.
SARATOGA SPRINGS – On Sunday, Nov. 12 Marion Buchanan and Walter Blair, both residents of Prestwick Chase at Saratoga, were honored for their service in World War II at the 2nd Annual Veterans Ball held in the Saratoga Spa State Park’s Hall of Springs.
Buchanan served in the Women's Army Core from March 1943 until October 1948. Blair served in the U.S. Army from March 1943 until December 1945.
A Saratoga-Wilton Elks Lodge #161 member, Mario Trieste, was among the WWII veterans honored as well. Trieste served in the U.S. Navy.
The Veterans and Community Housing Coalition organizes the annual ball to raise money and bring awareness to homeless veterans in the area.
In addition, the Saratoga-Wilton Elks presented a check to Cheryl Hage-Perez, executive director of the housing coalition. The amount of $1,000 was donated to the coalition from the proceeds of a recent car show organized by the Elks lodge.
