By JOHN PIEKARSKI and GREG HITCHCOCK
John@TheBallstonJournal.com
Greg.Hitchcock@TheBallstonJournal.com

CLIFTON PARK – Two World War II veterans from Ballston Spa were among 18 Saratoga County veterans honored by state Sen. Roy McDonald during a ceremony Saturday at the Clifton Park Elks Lodge.

Robert Lawrence and Maurice “Chris” Morley were among those presented with Liberty medals as Saratoga County’s veterans of the year.

Lawrence, who was a seaman second class in the Navy, served from 1943-46. He is a member of Henry F. Cornell American Legion Post 234.

Morley was a sergeant in the Marines, serving from 1942-45. He belongs to Ballston VFW Post 358.

“I was very fortunate to come home,” Morley said. “But forty of us from Ballston never got the chance to come home.”

“My heart is for the forty names that didn’t come home from World War II,” he said. “A lot of them I played ball with. We used to get in trouble together and we went to school together.”

Morley said he was grateful for the medals, but he felt it was to honor the forty fallen as well.

“It was to them that never had the chance to come home,” he said.

Lawrence said he was thankful for the honor and appreciated receiving the Liberty medal.

After boot camp, Lawrence spent some time loading ordinance onto Catalina patrol bombers hunting for German submarines in the Gulf.

“One day they asked me if I would like to go up and I said yeah I would like to go up with you. I got air sick and threw up,” Lawrence said. “So I never went up again.”

Lawrence then got transferred to San Diego and was stationed on a destroyer which also was looking for subs. After the war, he got back from the Navy and used the G.I. Bill to get a pilot’s license.

“I wanted to find out if I would get air sick again,” Lawrence said. “I went to flight school right here in Ballston Spa; they had a airport with a flying school there at the time. I got a pilot’s license all because the G.I. Bill paid for it.”

He said veterans are entitled to benefits, including educational benefits, to help returning veterans transition back to civilian life and get back to work.

This was the second ceremony to honor veterans’ from the 43rd Senate District, the first was held in Rensselaer County by Senator McDonald earlier this year.

This also marked the official end of World War II, the bloodiest war in terms of human lives lost, of the 20th century.

Sen. McDonald, who is a Vietnam veteran, said many World War II veterans have passed away and it was important to thank those that remain.

“Every veteran has stories to tell,” McDonald said.

One speaker was Major General Joseph J. Taluto, the Adjutant General for the State of New York. Prior to this assignment he was assigned as the commander, 42nd Infantry Division, New York Army National Guard.

Taluto said the Liberty medals had significant meaning for him since he commanded the Division and Task Force Liberty during its deployment to Operation Iraqi Freedom.

“Older veterans help new veterans coming home by informing them of their benefits,” Taluto said.

He said older veterans help younger veterans by passing along knowledge and wisdom from generation to generation.

“This is the biggest fraternity in the world, one that knows sacrifices,” he said.

Taluto said the 18 veterans honored with Liberty medals were special.

“The awardees are not only members of their veteran posts, but also leaders,” he said. “A whole new generation needs help and guidance. These organizations remind our officials of their sacrifices.”

Marine Corps veteran and honoree Dante “Dan” Orsini, 90, of South Glens Falls, witnessed the beginning of World War II in FDR’s White House.

“After reviewing all our past wars, I hope we can find a way out of Iraq and Afghanistan,” Orsini said.

Vietnam Marine Corps veteran David J. Kissick said there is a bond between veterans.

“What if you were in that foxhole when stuff happened,” he said.

Kissick asked World War II veteran and witness of the Battle of the Bulge Chaplain Allan Atwell what he remembers about the war.

“He said he remembers his dead friends and the coldness,” Kissick said.

Kissick said the U.S. Congress was debating whether to give the G.I. Bill to returning World War II veterans in 1944.

“They were debating whether 20 dollars a week would curtail them from looking for a job,” he said.

Kissick said the G.I. Bill was a duty owed to veterans and not a gift.

A special honor was bestowed on Vietnam veteran Louis Leone who helped Sen. McDonald draft the Patriot Plan, a package of benefits and protections for service members for New York State residents.

Other speakers were New York State Elks Association President Mike Bloss, and Air Force veteran and Stillwater Town Supervisor Edward Kinowski.