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The Enterprise, March 17, 1944

I was away and missed Veterans Day services, subsequently missed writing about the men and women who have served and the ones who gave the supreme sacrifice … so this is a late tribute to all of those men and women.

My great uncle Ed Riley served in the Civil War and he is buried in Pine Ridge Cemetery in Saranac Lake.

Needless to say — then why do we say it — during WWII, the Enterprise was filled with items related to the war, especially the movies … as you can see from the accompanying ad for the Pontiac Theater. The bottom of the ad reads, “regular prices.” Well, I don’t know how much the regular prices were, but kids under age 16 paid 11 cents and the admission sign read “10c plus 1c tax.”

Also see the accompanying picture of Monroe “Monk” Flagg – he was a well-known member of the Saranac Lake Red Devils Bobsled team, a team that dominated the run in Lake Placid for many years.

It was so great to listen to Bob McGonigal, shouting out the names of the twists and turns on the bobrun loudspeaker as the sleds sped down the track — “their approaching Shady, their through Shady, approaching little S, through little S, approaching zig/zag, their zigging, their sagging, approaching the finish curve, etc.

There were many more turns but as the sleds went faster and faster, hitting 80 mph, Bob’s words came faster and louder. Of course you had to be there — exciting beyond words. If you believe a picture is worth a thousand words, not even close in this race.

So, all of that so I could tell you what my dear friend Bill McLaughlin wrote in tribute to Monk Flagg when he died: “He’s Through Shady and Gone.”

Military news in brief

“Lt. Commander Cecil K. Harper, USN, husband of the former Miss Beatrice Scollin of this village, has been awarded the Air Medal for outstanding leadership and flying skill displayed in a bombing attack on the Nauru Island base of the Japs last July.

“Officer Harper was commander of a patrol squadron of six PBY-5 aircraft which carried out an effective attack in spite of adverse weather and heavy anti-aircraft fire. His citation was issued by Frank Knox, secretary of the Navy on behalf of the President.”

A bit more of the citation read, “His squadron inflicted severe damage on the enemy and returned safely to base.

“Commander Harper has been a frequent visitor in this village when he and his wife were guests of her parents, Mr. and Mrs. George Scollin of 27 Charles Street.”

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“Eleventh AAF Headquarters – PFC. John W. Fisher of Saranac Lake assigned to duties as a radio repairman with the Eleventh Army Air Force in the Aleutian Islands has been promoted to the rank of Technician Fifth Grade.

“He served in the Aleutians for seven months and is a graduate of the Army Signal Corps School at Fort Monmouth, N.J. He is a graduate of Saranac Lake High School. His parents are Mr. and Mrs. Charles W. Fischer of 83 Shepard Avenue.”

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“PFC. Bernard Connors of Saranac Lake, who entered service last September, is stationed at Camp Davis, N.C., with the anti-aircraft artillery of the U.S. Army.

“PFC. Connors was graduated from Saranac Lake High School last June. He entered the Army September 15. He recently returned to Camp Davis after spending a seven-day furlough with his mother, Mrs. Anna Connors of Malone, formerly of Saranac Lake.”

War fund drive

“A donation of $25 for the Saranac Lake Red Cross War Fund was voted at the Women’s Society for Christian Services of the Methodist Church Wednesday afternoon.

“Mrs. Delbert Wilkins, president presided and Miss Effie Baker was in charge of the program. Mrs. Frank Kendall led the devotions. Mrs. Willard Utting, Mrs. Ambrose Smith and Mrs. Harvey Winch were the hostesses.”

Big news always on page three, with the title

“Coming and Going”

“Lt. Zelda Glazer will arrive tonight to spend tomorrow on business in this village. Lt. Zelder is stationed in Albany with the Women’s Army Corps.”

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“Miss Phyllis Norman has returned to Rochester after spending a few days visiting her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Norman of the Bloomingdale Road. Miss Norman is a student nurse at Strong Memorial Hospital.”

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“Miss Elaine Hambien arrived last night from Albuquerque, N. M., to spend a few days with her grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. George Lyeth of Lake Clear.”

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“The Rev. and Mrs. Clifford F. Fugate and son, Paul, of Ticonderoga are the guests of Rev. Mr. and Mrs. Theodore Bundy of 25 St. Bernard Street.”

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“Dr. and Mrs. Berkeley Zinn, who spent several days in New York City, returned recently to their home in Ray Brook.”

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“Frederick L. Carter returned Wednesday to his home at 8 Lake Flower Avenue after spending a few days in Albany where he passed examination for the U.S. Army Air Force.”

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“Miss Alice Jane Dumont of East Hartford, Conn., left last night to visit her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Roland Dumont of Chateaugay. While here, she was the guest of Mr. and Mrs. Leon Thompson of 32 Ampersand Avenue.”

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“The Rev. Frank W. Bevan will arrive today from Glens Falls to attend the Annual Meeting of the Members of the Methodist Church. The Rev. Bevan will be the guest of the Rev. and Mrs. Theodore Bundy of 25 Church Street.”

St. Patrick’s party

“Although there will be many private St. Patrick’s parties in the village tonight there will be one public party in the village.

“The Knights of Columbus and the Catholic Daughters of America will hold their Annual St. Patrick’s party at the Hotel Saranac.”

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