Students Honor Saratoga Springs Dead as City Prepares to Celebrate 80 Years Since World War Two Ended.

It has been over 80 years since World War II ended, and Saratoga Springs High School students are making sure the memory of those who fought in the war is remembered. 

The students gathered in the Saratoga Springs City Council room to read the names of 77 men from the city who were killed during the conflict. They were led by social studies teacher Timothy O’Brien.

The reading took place a week before the city celebrates 80 years since the end of World War II. Two different dates mark the end of the conflict, depending on where in the world the fighting took place. In Europe, V-E Day, Victory in Europe Day, was celebrated May 8, 1945 — commemorating victory over Germany. Meanwhile in Asia, V-J Day, Victory over Japan Day, was celebrated September 2, 1945. 

The war was one of the deadliest in world history with over 15 million military personnel killed across all sides and over 38 million civilians killed, according to the Department of Defense. On the U.S. side, over 16 million troops were mobilized with casualties totaling 405,399 dead and 670,846 wounded in the conflict. Of the Americans who died, over 37,000 came from New York, according to the U.S. Army.  

O’Brien said part of the reason for the reading was to keep the living memory of the conflict alive even as veterans and others who lived through it pass away. 

“It’s just tough,” O’Brien said. “You lose connections and friends you’ve been working with for so long. That’s the kind of the downside of this. But to have their stories to tell is really what matters.” 

O’Brien said reading the names was their way of putting a human face to the conflict. He said that even if they don’t have the full story behind the person’s life and death, just having the name acknowledges that there is a story and a person behind it. 

Similar sentiments were echoed by one of the students who read the names, Olivia Howe. Howe said she volunteered in part because of the service of her grandfather who served in the military. She said she hopes students continue to remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice for the country. 

“It’s something that should never be forgotten, and I don’t think will ever be forgotten,” Howe said. 

In addition to the 77 lost in the war, O’Brien highlighted the work of veterans who came home and contributed to the community. Over 300 World War 2 veterans were connected with Saratoga County at one time or another, O’Brien said. Many of them brought back the skills they learned from the service or took advantage of the GI Bill to get an education and further improve their communities, according to O’Brien. 

Saratoga Springs is home to the New York State Military Museum, a former armory that hosted many National Guard companies throughout its history. During World War II it hosted L company of the 105th Infantry Regiment, 27th Infantry Division. The regiment fought in the Pacific against the Japanese in the Battles of Makin, Saipan and Okinawa, according to a unit history. 

In addition, the army history, a ship which draws its name from the region, the USS Saratoga (CV-3), also served with distinction, according to the U.S. Navy. Commissioned in 1927, the aircraft carrier served in many battles and operations across the Pacific during the war, earning seven battle stars for her service. 

Her most notable achievement, however, arguably came after the war when she helped ferry over 29,000 personnel home after the war as part of Operation Magic Carpet. She also held the record at the time for landing the most planes on her deck of any aircraft carrier at over 98,000 landings. 

In addition to the reading of names, a festival celebrating the end of the war will take place on Sat. Oct. 18 at the Military Museum. The event will feature reenactors, a USO-style show and World War II era films and media.