GUILDERLAND — “I wouldn’t trade my life for anything,” James Gaige told the group gathered at Crossgates Mall to honor him and another veteran on Flag Day.

Gaige grew up in Altamont, went to Altamont Elementary, and joined the United States Army after graduating from Guilderland High School in 1972; he served for three years during the Vietnam War, said his brother, Al, who introduced him.

Gaige served as a Specialist 4th class E4 and was stationed at Fort Knox, Kentucky where he was assigned to the Armored Engineer Board, Test, and Evaluation Center, working in the welding and fabrication shop, according to information from Albany County.

After 15 years in the Army, said Albany County Executive Daniel McCoy, who hosted the event, Gaige joined the Navy Seabees Reserves, serving 21 years.

Eighty years ago, members of Navy Construction Battalions were nicknamed, “Seabees,” a play on the C and B initials. They are responsible for building military bases and airfields, supporting humanitarian efforts, and conducting underwater construction projects.

With the Seabees, Gaige was active in Texas, Guam, Puerto Rico and other states and countries where he was involved in building schools and medical clinics as well as humanitarian relief projects.

Gaige was a small-business owner in Altamont, said his brother, where he and his wife raised two sons, Lucas and Timothy.

Lucas followed in his father’s footsteps and joined the Seabees. “My dad was a Seabee,” Lucas Gaige said earlier. “I would like to thank him for inspiring me. He was a chief builder. My grandpa was in the Navy also so I wanted to carry on the family tradition.”

Timothy Gaige, who worked in computer science, lived in Virginia where, with his wife, MaryBeth, he raised three children: Annabelle, Rosemarie, and Declan. He died of lymphoma in 2017 at the age of 37.

“Jim is a patriot and has a keen sense of love for his country,” Al Gaige concluded his introduction. “I am proud to call him my brother.”

James Gaige sounded modest about being chosen to be honored by Albany County.

He remarked on his son’s death six years ago and said, “My grandchildren are my whole world.”

He also said, “Everyone in my family knows what it was like to put flags on the graves of veterans.” His dad did it with him, and he took his sons to cemeteries to do the same.

“My love for my country is without question,” said Gaige, noting that the Helderberg American Legion Post 977 has been a big part of his life. He is one of the Legion Riders and this year will be a 49-year member of the post.

Gaige’s father and his two brothers were also post members and, said Gaige, all the females in his family are members of the post’s auxiliary.

“My father was the first commander of the Helderberg Post,” said Gaige. “I will be the commander on our 100th anniversary next year.”

Applause enveloped his words.