Washington County Board presents proclamation honoring Sergeant Major Howard A. Waite on his 100th birthday

The Washington County Board of Supervisors presented a proclamation thanking Sergeant Major Howard A. Waite of Granville for more than 23 years of military service and honoring his upcoming 100th birthday on July 2, 2026.

County leaders read Waite’s service record into the proclamation: enlisted Oct. 30, 1944 at Fort Devens, Massachusetts; served in Europe as a rifleman with Battery C, 658th Field Artillery Battalion; re-enlisted after World War II and reclassified as a mechanic; served postings that included Germany, Korea and the Panama Canal Zone; was promoted to Sergeant Major on June 7, 1966; and retired July 31, 1968 at Aberdeen Proving Grounds after more than two decades of service. The proclamation and a related certificate from the New York State Senate were presented and photos were taken.

Waite spoke briefly and declined to give a long speech, telling the board, “Don't expect a long speech from me — I'm very quiet,” and thanked the group for attending.

Chair and supervisors thanked Waite for his service and noted the presentation was coordinated with local volunteers and staff to provide a public recognition at the meeting. No board action beyond the proclamation was recorded.