In recognition of the 105th anniversary of the armistice that ended World War One, Saratoga County History Center will host Paul Perreault, Malta Town Historian, for a program entitled “Men and Women of Saratoga County Who Answered the Call in World War One” on Wednesday, November 8 at 7pm in the Long Room at Brookside Museum.
Paul has served as town historian since 2009 and has conducted extensive research about local volunteers who fought in the war. “Ten percent of the men and women who joined the American Expeditionary Force were from the New York State including many who lived in Saratoga County” said Perreault “Seventy-two from the county died from either combat wounds or disease contracted while serving.” His presentation will include stories of those who served during and after the war. “Few Americans today know that American soldiers and support staff were sent to Siberia after the Communist government took Russia out of the war.” Among them was Catherine Gaffney of Saratoga Springs who served there as a nurse in 1919. 
Perreault, a retired history teacher and long-time administrator in the Ballston Spa School District was a co-recipient of the History Center’s Saratoga County Public History Award in April 2023 for his research on local history.
Paul’s presentation of these World War One stories is based on materials collected at the State Archives. These documents were collected as a result of a 1919 state law enabling the appointment of local town historians throughout the state. These historians were also encouraged to submit information on WWI veterans. “Most of the information I collected was a result of research into these records,” said Perreault.
Pre-registration for the November 8 program is available at
https://brooksidemuseum.networkforgood.com/events/63454-call-in-world-war-1
