The following are randomly chosen stories from old copies of the Enterprise from 1944 about Saranac Lake residents who served in World War II and a story in a copy of a 1968 Enterprise abouta decorated  soldier of the Vietnam War.

There is also an interesting story about the 31st annual Report for the Saranac Lake General Hospital. It reveals a pretty busy place with also a glimpse at the value of a dollar in 1944 — the average daily cost per patient was $7.43.

Action against Viet Cong

The following excerpt is from the Enterprise of April 25, 1968: “U.S. Air Force Major James H. Cassavaugh, son of Mrs. Lillian R. Cassavaugh of R.F.D. 1, Saranac Lake, has been decorated with the Bronze Star Medal and two awards of the air Force Medal at Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii.

“Major Cassavaugh, an air operations officer, received the Bronze Star Medal for meritorious service while engaged in military operations against the Viet Cong forces.

“The Air Medals were awarded for his outstanding airmanship and courage on successful and important missions under hazardous conditions. He is a graduate of Saranac Lake High School.”

Sam Kelley — German POW

From the Enterprise of Aug. 9, 1944: “Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Kelley, Sr., of the Berkeley Apartments yesterday received their first letter from their son, Lieut. James A. Kelley, who is a prisoner of war of the German government.

“The letter is the first word they have had of their son since he was reported a prisoner of the War Department on May 19. At that time the War Department notified Mr. and Mrs. Kelley that he had been taken prisoner after being shot down over Austria.

“Lieut. Kelley’s letter was dated May 12 and was from Stalag Luft No. 1, the camp where he is being held prisoner. The camp is located in the northern part of Germany near the east Prussian border.

“Unable to say very much Lieut. Kelley reported that he was all right, had enough to eat and a place to sleep. He asked for news of his family and said he was anxious to hear from them.

“The flier-pilot was shot down over Austria on April 12 while participating in a B-24 bomber raid over the country.”

Guadalcanal veterans are home

“Two and a half years after they left Saranac Lake for service with the Marines, two Saranac Lake men, veterans of the battles of Guadalcanal and New Britain have returned for a well-deserved leave and rest.

“Staff Sergeant Raymond W. Burleigh and Cpl. George Ziggs, who were among the first Marines to land on Guadalcanal and in subsequent bloody battles free the island from the Jap invaders, are now visiting in Saranac Lake.

“Both men wear on their uniforms the Presidential citation ribbon with blue star; the Southwest Pacific ribbon with four stars, denoting four engagements and the American Defense ribbon. The ribbons denote medals awarded them for their heroic actions in defense of their country.

“Members of the 1st Marine Division whose fame has become history in this country, the marines were two of four local men to take part in these battles in this division. The other two are PFC. Philip Arlan and PFC. Charles VanNortwick who are expected to arrive here in the near future.

“Sgt. Burleigh and Cpl. Ziggs have the distinction, a rare event in the Marines, of having enlisted on the same day, trained at the same places, sailed for overseas duty on the same ship and returned on the same ship together as well as having fought through the same battles.”

Petty Officer Edith Flanders on leave

“Edith W. Flanders of Saranac Lake, petty officer second class in the WAVES, is now on leave from Washington, D.C., where she is stationed.

[WAVES is the acronym for Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service. They were an official part of the Navy and held the same rank and ratings as male personnel.]

Petty Officer Flanders, who has been visiting her parents, Mr. and Mrs. William Flanders of 24 St. Bernard Street, is spending the remainder of her time at the American Legion Camp at Tupper Lake, where she was employed before entering service on Jan. 6, 1944.

Petty Officer Flanders entered the WAVES as an apprentice seaman and took her boot training at Hunter College, New York City.”

General hospital report

“A total of 1,193 patients were admitted into the Saranac Lake General Hospital during the past year with an average cost of $7.43 daily, it was revealed in the 31st Annual report of the hospital for the year ending March 31, 1944.

“The report showed 9,551 total patient days with 39 the largest number of patients in the hospital in any one day. Births for the year were 127 with 149 medical patients and 780 surgical patients.

“In reply for needed equipment a refrigerating unit for air conditioning in the operating room and two bed-pan sterilizers were donated by a friend. Two office desks were donated by Mrs. Marshall Brown and the Auxiliary.”

Mayor Rabideau, please note

The Enterprise, May 18, 1955 — The 1955 edition was a big publication, in cooperation with the Chamber of Commerce, distributed with the Montreal Gazette as a tourist promotion and the following is a paragraph from a piece written by Enterprise Publisher James Loeb Jr.

“Nevertheless, the incorporated Village of Saranac Lake is the capital of the Adirondack State Park, which is the largest state park on the North American continent, covering over 4,000,000 acres of woodlands, mountains, lakes and streams.”