Town Clock dedicated on Saranac Field Day

SARANAC | Rain on Saranac Field Day let up in time for the parade. Parade coordinator Sylvia Newman said the assembly was enthusiastic despite the morning's weather. The procession rounded the corner by Independence Cemetery and moved to the park area at Pickett Corner Road, where a newly installed clock was dedicated to all veterans -- past, present and future -- in the Town of Saranac. The clock was selected and purchased by the family of American Legion Post #1618 clubs, which includes the Post and Post #1618 Ladies Auxiliary, Post #1618 Sons of the American Legion and the post's Legion Riders. Post Commander Rick Fournia said the clock project has been a long time coming. The plan started with a suggestion at one of their meetings two years ago. "One of our members said why don't we put a clock in that park? It passed at the meeting and everyone was on board. "We've been at it for two years," he said. "The company that makes the clock is located in Charleston, South Carolina, and we ordered it in May 2024. But they called and said a hurricane hit and flooded their building and it put them way behind." The initial plan was to have the clock ready for Saranac's bicentennial last September. "So, this past April, they called me and said the clock was done and was headed north on a truck. The truck driver delivered it to Vermont to be brought over here, but it was smashed. It was unfixable," Fournia said. "So late April, early May, they came and got it. They said it takes 60 days to make a clock." And this time the new clock was ready in time. "They called first week of August and said 'we built a box' and they used that. He said the box was indestructible. We got it the second week in August," Fournia said. Installation was coordinated by American Legion Post #1618 on a three-foot base. The clock stands 11 feet tall on the platform. The clock's face lights up at night. A plaque requested with the clock didn't arrive, but once it is remade, it will officially dedicate the timepiece to all veterans from Saranac. The Legion's veterans are active in this town, working together on school projects, playgrounds, community fundraising, memorial events and many, many other outreach programs. Post #1618 here had nine veterans on Saturday's (Sept. 6) North Country Honor Flight and sponsored one entire aircraft, the third time the organization has done so. Post #1618 riders were out before dawn on Saturday, gathering a group of over 60 bikes to join the escort of over 200 motorcycles that lead Honor Flight buses to the U.S. Oval and then to Plattsburgh International Airport. At the gazebo park, the clock dedication was flanked by the Legion's color guard. Past Commander Todd Perry provided brief remarks to honor veterans past, present and future. "Now the time is for the town," he said. Field Day ended with a bright barrage of fireworks that reflected in the Saranac River.

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Town Clock dedicated on Saranac Field Day

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