Whitestone Army National Guard troops to be honored for recent deployment

• by New York State Division of Military & Naval Affairs

WHITESTONE, NY (01/07/2010)(readMedia)-- Media Advisory

What: New York Army National Guard Soldiers belonging to the 27th Financial Management Company will be recognized for their overseas service in Kuwait this Sunday, January 10 at a Freedom Salute Ceremony at the Whitestone Armory.

Who: 23 Soldiers and dozens of family members from the 27th Financial Management Company, NYARNG

When: 10 a.m., Sunday, January 10, 2010

Where: New York State Armory, 150-74 6th Avenue, Whitestone, NY

Coverage Opportunities:

Members of the media will have an opportunity to speak with Soldiers and families about their experiences during the deployment. Visual opportunities will include medals and other awards being presented to Soldiers.

Members of the media should contact Captain Janet Erazo, (718) 747-7888, ext 10 or cell at (917) 734-4313.

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.

The Soldiers of the 27th Financial Management Company were mobilized in September 2008 and arrived in Kuwait in November 2008 following training at Fort McCoy, Wisconsin and at Fort Drum, NY. The unit's mission was to provide financial services and support to deployed U.S. forces operating in the region to include military pay, travel services, disbursement of funds in fulfillment of contracts, commercial vendor services and internal controls and automation. The unit returned home in September 2009 and participated in Yellow Ribbon Re-integration Program events before returning to normal drill and training status.

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