Flashback — July 26, 1972: A dinner honoring Guy Little, a past president of the Saranac Lake Elks Club Lodge 1508, was held Saturday night. Little, in addition to serving the Elks recently retired from the United States Postal Service after many years. Pictured above are John Reynolds, Exalted Ruler, Frank Fitzgerald, Past District Deputy, [who owned and operated the high-end “Fitzgerald’s Restaurant” in Ray Brook]; Dr. Leonard Bristol, Past State President; Little; John Pickreign, State Vice President and Nicholas Mitchell, Esteemed Loyal Knight. The next time you visit Little Italy say high to waitress, Lexi Bailey, who is the great-grand-daughter of Dr. Bristol. (Photo provided)

World War II was raging and patriotism was flooding the hearts and heads of Saranac Lake citizens.

The Enterprise carried mostly war stories on page one and the other stories were national or international; I never remember a local story on page of the Enterprise all through World War II; that is just my recollection from being an Enterprise newsboy at the time and from examining the copies I have here on file.

This edition hit me especially hard because a young18-year-old boy who had managed the 26 newsboys in the circulation department at the Enterprise, and who also worked in the composing room had just left for basic training with the Marine Corps. The Enterprise story:

“Aldo L. Sorcinelli of Saranac Lake has been accepted for service in the Marine Corps and left Albany yesterday to begin his recruit training at Parris Island, S.C.

“He is a graduate of the Saranac Lake High School and served with the local unit of the New York Guard. Before entering service he was employed in the mechanical department of the Adirondack Daily Enterprise. He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. John Sorcinelli of 17 James Street.”

After recruit training he had a short leave, went overseas and was killed in one of the first battles he was in … believe on Saipan or Guadacanal. That made the war come up and hit us right between the eyes…every kid in my circle of friends loved Aldo and again trying to remember, I don’t think he had yet turned 19.

—

The Memorial Day parade

“A stirring tribute to the soldiers, sailors and marines of the past and present wars was given yesterday morning by marchers in the Memorial Day parade and by the public at services in Pine Ridge cemetery and at Prescott Park.

“The parade, although thinned in rank by the call to service of many Saranac Lake men and women, showed the enthusiasm and patriotism of local people as they marched through the streets. Spectators lining the sidewalks along the route gave evidence of their appreciation with applause and cheering.

“Starting shortly after 10 o’clock at St. Regis corner, [the intersection at Broadway & Bloomingdale Avenue] the parade, led by the local high school band and Majorettes, proceeded down Broadway to Main street, down Main street to River street and down River street to Pine Ridge cemetery.

“At the cemetery, Clyde Cheeseman, commander of the local post, American Legion, conducted brief services at the graves of the war dead. Harold Wilkins of the Legion acted as Chaplain. Donald Ross as sergeant-at-arms and Mrs. Thomas Curtin was Chaplain for the Auxiliary.

“Wreaths were laid on the graves of Capt. William Bowerman, of World War I; Sidney Wells of the Civil War; Benjamin Fear of the Spanish-American War and Sgt. Albert Stringer, British veteran of World War I and a member of the Bermuda British Militia. Flags were also placed on the graves of the Norwegian dead of the present war. As spectators bowed in silence a three-gun salute was given as the playing of taps sounded across the hills.

“Leaving Pine Ridge the parade continued to Prescott Park where tribute was paid to those soldiers, sailors and marines whose lives were lost at sea. As flowers were placed on the waters of Lake Flower, another three-gun salute was given and taps sounded.

“Included in the line of march were members of the American Legion,, Spanish-American War veterans, the local unit New York Guard, the Boy and Girl Scouts, the Red Cross Nurses Aides Corps, the Women’s Motor Corps, Veterans of Foreign Wars, the High School Band and Majorettes, the auxiliaries of the service groups and the Lake Placid Legionnaires. Walter Weir acted as marshal.

“Riding in the parade were two Gold Star mothers (whose son or daughter had been killed in war), Mrs. George Downs of Bloomingdale and Mrs. George Lyeth of Lake Clear.

“Local hotels, restaurants and dance spots reported a large influx of trade over the holiday.”

—

Coming and going

[Title of a standing

Enterprise column]

“PFC. Lawrence Callaghan returned Sunday night to Fort Monmouth, N.J., where he is stationed with the Army. He spent a 9-day furlough visiting Mrs. Callaghan and their infant son of 9 Dorsey Terrace and his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Vincent Callaghan of the Harrietstown road.”

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“Mr. and Mrs. Walter Kelly and their son, Kerry Louis, have returned to their home in Saratoga Springs after spending the weekend visiting Mrs. Kelly’s mother, Mrs. Lawrence Quigley of 11 Neil Street and Mr. Kelly’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. W. F. Kelly of 24 Marshall street.”

—

“Tech. Sgt. and Mrs. Clarence Jandrew and their son, Delbert, returned Monday night to Indiantown Gap, Pa., where Sgt. Jandrew is stationed with the Army. They spent ten days visiting his grandmother, Mrs. Lucy Jandrew of 9 Mills Avenue.”

—

“Mrs. Anthony B. Gedroiz has been appointed to assist Miss Mary Kennedy, district public health nurse, in enrolling area women for the U.S. Army Cadet Nurses corps.

“Due to wartime shortages in the nursing profession the government is seeking 65,000 new cadet nurses to meet the demand for nursing care. A cadet nurse is trained at the expense of the government and she receives an allowance during her training period.

“Miss Kennedy and Mrs. Gedroiz will furnish information to women interested in the corps. Persons interested are asked to contact them.” [How?]

—

“Miss Jane Chapple returned this morning to South Hadley, Mass., after spending the past two weeks visiting her parents, Mr. and Mrs. John C. Chapple of 43 Baker Street. She will resume her studies at Mount Holyoke College.”