Saratoga County officials and elected representatives gathered for the county’s monthly Honor Deceased Veteran ceremony to recognize Seaman First Class Thomas J. Messer Sr., a World War II veteran from Stillwater.

Frank McClellan, director of the Saratoga County Veterans Service Agency, opened the ceremony and welcomed attendees, saying, "it's my distinct pleasure to welcome you to our monthly honor deceased veteran ceremony." The program included prayers, readings of Messer’s service record, multiple proclamations, and presentations of medals and certificates to the family.

The county read Messer’s service biography as part of the program. Messer was born April 29, 1924, and was inducted into the U.S. Navy on February 3, 1943. He volunteered for the Navy Armed Guard and served aboard merchant vessels, including the tanker MT Norless on Arctic convoy operations known as the Murmansk runs. His final wartime assignment was aboard LSM 100. Messer was honorably discharged January 19, 1946, with the rank of Seaman First Class and was awarded the World War II Victory Medal and campaign medals in recognition of his service.

Several officials presented honors. Stillwater Supervisor Ed Kanowski read a town proclamation recognizing Messer’s volunteer service to the community, including longtime work supporting the Stillwater Area Community Center and service as a fire chief and rescue squad member. Chairman Philip Barrett presented a county proclamation on behalf of the Saratoga County Board of Supervisors. Charles Fazier, representing County Clerk Craig Hainer, and Acting District Attorney Jennifer Buckley each presented certificates honoring Messer’s military and civic service.

New York State Senator Jim Tedisco praised the county’s program and announced a posthumous state honor: the Liberty Medal from the New York State Senate. "Nothing is passed unanimously in the New York State Senate," Tedisco said as he described the process for the award and its significance.

A representative of U.S. Rep. Paul Tonko presented a U.S. flag that had been flown over the U.S. Capitol in Messer’s memory. "This flag was flown over there in memory of the life, the legacy that he leaves behind," Monique Lahey told the family as she presented the flag on the congressman’s behalf.

Lauren Roberts of the county historian’s office presented the Saratoga County World War II Veterans Medal and noted that a requested presidential citation had been delayed. "Normally, at this time in the ceremony, I would read the presidential citation, but, unfortunately, we had that thing called the government shutdown, so we haven't gotten it," Roberts said; she added that the citation will be presented when received.

The interior program concluded with the hymn "Amazing Grace" led by Lauren Roberts. Attendees then moved outside for a brief flag-raising ceremony: the flag presented to the family will fly at the county seat for 30 days before being placed in a case and returned to the family.

The ceremony closed with a prayer from Chaplain Paul O’Keefe and brief remarks of thanks from McClellan. The family joined officials for a photograph and received the county’s honors and keepsakes.

(Program details such as the honoree’s service dates, assignments on MT Norless and LSM 100, and the awards presented are taken from the ceremony’s readings and presentations.)