New York National Guard Military Police Soldiers Recognized for Service

TARRYTOWN, NY (06/10/2011)(readMedia)-- The Soldiers of the New York Army National Guard's 442nd Military Police Company, headquartered at the Jamaica, Queens New York State Armory, will be honored for their 10 months of service in Iraq in a Freedom Salute Ceremony on Sunday, June 12, at the Mariott Hotel here.

WHO: More than 160 Soldiers of the 442nd Military Police Company, their families, and leaders of the New York Army National Guard. The unit returned from deployment on April 8.

WHAT: Freedom Salute Ceremony in which the Soldiers receive a flag and other mementos to commemorate their service in combat in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. The children and spouses of Soldiers also receive items. The event is being conducted in conjunction with the New York Army National Guard Yellow Ribbon Reintegration program in which Soldiers and their families spend a weekend at a hotel working through the issues surrounding a return from combat.

WHEN: 11 a.m. Sunday, June 12, 2011

WHERE: Westchester Marriott, 670 White Plains Road, Tarrytown NY

Contact Master Sgt. Corine Lombardo on site at (cell) 518-528-4770

Coverage Opportunities:

Imagery of the presentation ceremony and interview opportunities with New York Army National Guard Soldiers, leaders and family members.

BACKGROUND:

442nd Military Police

The 442nd Military Police Company mobilized April 18, 2010 and deployed in August 2010. The company was based in Ramadi, Iraq as part of the 4th Advise and Assist Brigade assigned to the Third Infantry Division. The company operated throughout Anbar Province, covering cities from the west such as Rawah, Anah, Hit and Baghdadi stretching east to Habaniyah and Ramadi.

The unit conducted more than 400 partnered missions with Iraqi law enforcement or security forces. The Soldiers also provided training in riot control techniques to assist Iraqi forces during the Days of Rage, provided security during Family Visitation Days at the area detention facility and assisted in the training of Iraqi Police Investigative elements. Most notable during the unit's deployment in this region, both Sunni and Shia Iraqi law enforcement personnel worked side by side against terrorism cells.

The 442nd Military Police Company is based at the State Armory in Jamaica, Queens, New York City. The reunion at the Harlem Armory is the headquarters of the unit's higher command, the 369th Sustainment Brigade.

The unit served at Ground Zero following the 9-11, 2001 terrorist attacks and was deployed to Iraq in 2003-4, where it earned a Presidential Unit Citation and helped re-establish a training academy for the Iraqi police.

Approximately a third of the unit's members are civilian law enforcement professionals from across the New York City region and almost a fourth of the unit's members had already completed at least one overseas deployment.

National Guard Freedom Salute:

In December 2003, National Guard Bureau in Washington, D.C., launched the Freedom Salute Campaign nationwide as a way to recognize members of the Army National Guard for service during Operations Noble Eagle, Enduring Freedom, and Iraqi Freedom and thank their spouses, children, and employers for the support they have shown to their Soldier.

The Freedom Salute Campaign is one of the largest Army National Guard recognition endeavors in history. Each eligible Soldier will receive an encased American flag, a lapel insignia, a commemorative coin and a certificate of appreciation from the Army National Guard. The Soldier's spouse/significant other will receive a lapel insignia while Soldier who are considered a center of influence with young people will be given a Future Soldier Footlocker Kit that includes the Daring Eagle board game, Mission Command card game, and Army National Guard trading cards.

Posted Friday June 10, 2011 at 03:10 pm by New York State Division of Military & Naval Affairs
Last Updated Thursday June 16, 2011 at 08:50 am