National Guard Troops join Community in Support of Christmas Eve Road March

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New York National Guard Soldiers Pfcs. Fritz Pierre, left, and Matt Coutant of the 1427th Transportation Company carry the banner to lead the 2015 Christmas Eve Roadmarch in Glens Falls.

GLENS FALLS, NY (12/23/2016)(readMedia)-- New York Army National Guard Soldiers from the Queensbury Readiness Center join dozens of military family members and hundreds of friends for the annual Christmas Eve-morning four mile road march to show support for military men and women serving in Afghanistan, Kuwait and locations around the world.

WHO: New York Army National Guard Soldiers assigned to the Queensbury Readiness Center, and other units in the greater capital region, their family members, veterans and friends. More than 700 marchers are expected.

WHAT: A four mile road march to honor fellow Soldiers who are away from family and friends, serving their country, and often in harm's way, on Christmas.

WHEN: 9 a.m., Saturday, Dec. 24, Christmas Eve, 2016.

WHERE: Glens Falls Civic Center, 1 Civic Center Plaza, Glens Falls, N.Y. The march will start and finish at the Civic Center.

For additional information about the course or to register, contact retired Army National Guard Sgt. 1st Class Arthur Coon at 518-542-4726.

Coverage Opportunities:

Imagery of Soldiers, many in uniform, along with family members, Patriot Guard Riders and veterans marching from the Glens Falls Civic Center and along the shoulder of the road and back to downtown Glens Falls. There will be opportunities for interviews with participants about the meaning of the march, which has become an annual event.

Background:

The Christmas Eve Road March was first conducted in 2004 when Soldiers of the New York Army National Guard's Company C, 2nd Battalion 108th Infantry, which was then based at the now-closed Glens Falls Armory, were away from home in Iraq over Christmas. Other Soldiers assigned to the armory, from the 466th Area Support Medical Company, got together to conduct a road march, the military term for a walking movement, in their honor.

Since then the march has become a tradition to recognize the sacrifices being made by all American service men and women who are on-duty away from their families during the Christmas season.

"The road march was started in 2004 when our local infantry Soldiers with Company C, 2-108th Infantry were deployed to Iraq, and we didn't want them to think we were just sitting at home," said organizer and retired New York Army National Guard Sgt. 1st Class Art Coon. "We wanted to make damn sure they knew we remembered them!"

"At this time of the year, it's even more important to remember those who not only won't be home with their families, but to keep in mind that they are in dangerous places," Coon explained in a social media post. "We need to remind them that we not only haven't forgotten them-but that we are so very proud of all that they do."

The road march will also recognize participants with awards for key contributors.

"We will have the same awards: largest care package donation, furthest traveler, heaviest backpack, largest group and largest family," Coon said.

Supporting areas units of the New York National Guard that are regularly present include the 466th Area Medical Support Company and 1427th Transportation Company, both stationed at the Queensbury Readiness Center, along with Airmen from the 109th Airlift Wing from Scotia, N.Y.

The march is sponsored, in part, by the Capital District of New York Chapter of the Association of the U.S. Army.

The march will occur in downtown Glens Falls, where the Glens Falls Police Department is coordinating the road march route with the New York National Guard's Family Readiness Group.