Saratoga County’s Honor Deceased Veterans Ceremony Recognizes David E. McDonald 

BALLSTON SPA —The Saratoga County Board of Supervisors and the Saratoga County Veterans Service Agency held its monthly Honor Deceased Veterans Program on Sept. 19, when it staged a ceremony honoring David E. McDonald of the Town of Charlton.

McDonald entered the US Army on Aug. 2, 1966 and served as a Field Artilleryman with 2nd Battalion, 10th Composite Artillery Battalion, 197th Infantry Regiment at Ft Benning, GEorgia – where he trained on 105- and 155-mm Howitzers, as well as “Honest John” rockets.

For his service he was awarded the National Defense Service medal and the Expert Rifle Badge. McDonald was honorably discharged on Aug. 1, 1968. McDonald married his soulmate, Shirleyan Shakan in 1966 and together they had four children.

After service McDonald worked for Sheet Metal Workers #83 as a superintendent, through MCD Mechanical. He was a member of the American Legion Post 234 in Ballston Spa and served as Commander for seven years. 

While serving as Post Commander, McDonald played an integral role in the Saratoga County Honor Deceased Veterans program. He was born March 9, 1947, and died at age 75 on Oct. 24, 2022.

 Established in 1999 by the Saratoga County Board of Supervisors, the Honor Deceased Veterans Program provides a way for county leadership and residents to show gratitude for the service of veterans past and present. The program honors a range of veterans and each ceremony – held at 2 p.m. on the third Tuesday of each month – is dedicated to a different Saratoga County veteran. To date, more than 300 Saratoga County Veterans have been honored.

For more information about the Honor Deceased Veterans Ceremony, contact Saratoga County Veterans Service Agency at 518-884-4115.