Whitestone-based Army National Guard Soldiers Honored

WHITESTONE,QUEENS, NY (04/30/2009)(readMedia)-- New York Army National Guard Soldiers belonging to the Whitestone-based 4th Finance Detachment will be recognized for their service in Bagram, Afghanistan during a Freedom Salute Ceremony Saturday, May 2.

WHO:. Twenty Soldiers of the 4th Finance Detachment and their family members.

WHAT: A ceremony in which Soldiers and families will receive awards for their combat service from the United States Army and the National Guard.

WHEN: 2 p.m, Saturday May 2, 2009

WHERE: Whitestone Armory 150-74 6th Ave., Whitestone, Queens

Coverage Opportunities:

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

Members of the media wishing to cover the 4th Finance Detachment Freedom Salute should contact Captain Janet Erazo at (917)734-4313 or (718)746-7888x15. E-mail jrerazo@hotmail.com

Background:

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 certificate of appreciation from the Army National Guard. The soldier's spouse/significant other will receive a lapel insignia while Soldiers 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.

4th Finance Detachment::

The 24 Soldiers of the 4th Finance Detachment provided support to the men and women of the Army's 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) during a ten-month deployment to Bagram, Afghanistan. Along with providing Soldiers with cash and other financial services, the unit dispersed funds to Civil Affairs units working with Afghan communities to provide payroll for Afghan Community projects. More than $20 million was dispersed by the members of 4th Finance during their deployment.