2024 Veteran Of The Year Ceremony Oct. 22

SARATOGA SPRINGS — A ceremony honoring the Veteran of the Year for 2024 will be held at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Oct 22, at the Saratoga-Wilton Elks Lodge #161 at 1 Elks Lane, Saratoga Springs. The event is free and open to the public. Face masks are optional.

The annual award is co-sponsored by the Friends of the New York State Military Museum and the Capital District of New York Chapter of the Association of the United States Army. Presidents of the two co-sponsor organizations will present the award. 

The Veteran of the Year 2024 is Col. (Ret.) Chester R. Edwards, NY Guard, a Vietnam Mobile Riverine Force Veteran. 

Edwards served in the U.S. Navy from 1966 – 1972.  His service included combat duty in Vietnam as an Assault Support Patrol Boat Coxswain with the Mobile Riverine Force (1968 to 1969). His other assignments were on a Submarine Tender and an Ocean-Going Tugboat. Chet earned a GED, while in Vietnam, having left school at 17 to join the military.  During his 6 years of US Navy service, he received numerous awards. 

After returning to civilian life, Edwards spent more than 35 years as a corporate financial executive and financial consultant at several companies in the tri-state area. He lives in Port Chester with his wife of 52 years, Mary, and is the proud father of two daughters and the grandfather to two granddaughters.