Press Invited to Attend Honor Guard Training Class Held at Camp Smith

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Spc Anthony Bryant and Spc. Shelbi Vanderbogart, members of the New York Army National Guard Honor Guard, fold the American flag during funeral services for Army veteran Charles L. Smith in December.

CAMP SMITH TRAINING SITE, NY (01/29/2015)(readMedia)-- The New York Army National Guard's Honor Guard, which provided military funeral services for 9,567 New York families in 2014, concludes a week-long training program here on Friday, Jan. 30.

Members of the press are invited to observe new Honor Guard recruits as they complete their final evaluation exercises prior to graduation.

WHO:Seventeen New York Army National Guard Soldiers who will serve full-time and part-time members of the New York Army National Guard Honor Guard and three trainers.

WHAT: The final training sessions in a week-long series of training events during which the Solders review the drill and ceremonies involved in conducting various types of military funerals. Soldiers learn how to maintain their uniforms, conduct drill movements with and without a rifle, carry a casket, and fold and present an American flag to family members. While other state National Guards conduct Honor Guard training programs, the New York program covers more subjects.

WHEN: 9:30 a.m., Friday, Jan.30, 2015

WHERE: Camp Smith Training Site, Routes 6 and 202 ( Bear Mountain Bridge Road) Cortlandt Manor.

For access to this secure military facility, reporters must contact Major Bryon Linnehan at 845-417-7225 .

Coverage Opportunities:

Video and still imagery of Honor Guard members conducting drill and ceremonies in Army dress blue uniforms. There will also be opportunities to interview Honor Guard trainers and trainees from across New York.

BACKGROUND:

Since 2000, federal law has mandated that any military veteran who did not receive a dishonorable discharge from the armed forces is eligible for military honors at his or her funeral. The ceremony must include the folding and presenting of the flag of the United States to the veteran's survivors and the playing of Taps.

At least two members of the armed forces must be present for the ceremony. The New York Honor Guard normally sends two Soldiers to fold the flag and play Taps.

This year the New York Honor Guard teams conducted 63 Modified Full Honors funerals which include six pall bears, a non-commissioned officer in charge, and a bugler.

New York is home to 943,000 veterans, according to the most recent Department of Veterans Affairs statistics from late 2012. Of those veterans, more than 300,000 are age 65 and older.

The New York Army National Guard Military Forces Honor Guard was launched in 1999 as a state funded effort. Since 2000 the federal government has funded the program, with some state financial support in the past.

In 2013, New York Army National Guard Honor Guard members performed military funeral services 9,997 times. In 2012, New York Army National Guard Soldiers conducted 10,175 funerals.

The largest number of military funerals conducted in one year was in 2011, when 10,752 military services were provided. The program began in 1999.

The New York Air National Guard's six major commands provide funeral honors for Air Force veterans and conducted 1, 798 funeral services in 2014.

Total number of military funerals conducted by the New York Army and Air National Guard during 2014 was 11,365. In 2013 that combined number was 11,585.