Yonkers resident Capt. Andrew Prior takes command of C Co. 1st Battalion 69th Infantry Sunday, Nov. 9 at Camp

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Capt. Andrew Prior serving in Afghanistan in 2008.

CORTLANDT MANOR, NY (11/07/2014)(readMedia)-- New York Army National Guard Capt. Andrew Prior, a Yonkers resident and a veteran of the war in Afghanistan takes command of C Company, 1st Battalion 69th Infantry during as ceremony on Sunday afternoon at the Camp Smith Training Site.

WHO: Capt. Andrew Prior, the incoming commander; Capt.. Christopher Culpepper, the outgoing commander; Lt. Col. Sean Flynn, the commander of the 1st Battalion, 69th Infantry and the men of Charlie Company, 1st Battalion 69th Infantry.

WHAT: A traditional military change-of-command ceremony in which the guidon of the company is transferred from Culpepper to Prior by Lt. Col. Flynn, signifying the change of responsibility and authority for the company from one commander to another. Traditionally the unit's color's marked the location of the commander on the battlefield and the ceremony allowed the Soldiers to know who their commander was.

WHEN: 2 pm. Sunday, November 9, 2014

WHERE: Camp Smith Training Site, Courtlandt Manor, NY

Members of the media seeking access to this secure military facility must contact Lt. Richard J. Riley at richard.j.reilly.mil@mail.mil or phone 631-525-7020.

Coverage Opportunities:

Reporters will have the opportunity to interview the incoming and outgoing commanders, as well as Lt. Col. Sean Flynn, the commander of the 1st Battalion 69th Infantry. Imagery opportunities include the Soldiers in formation and the flag transfer ceremony.

BACKGROUND:

Capt. Andrew Prior

Capt. Andrew Prior joined the Army National Guard in 2003 and was commissioned through the Reserve Officer Training Corps program in 2004. He has served as a tank platoon leader, rifle platoon leader, battle captain, rear detachment officer in charge and assistant battalion operations officer. He deployed to Afghanistan in 2010/2011 where he served as a battle captain and rifle platoon leader.

Prior is a Yonkers Firefighter in civilian life and previously taught Army ROTC at Fordham University. He holds a bachelor's of science degree from the University of Scranton in International Studies and Leadership. He is also a graduate of the US Army Armor Officer Basic Course.

His military awards include the Army Commendation Medal, the Combat Action Badge, the Afghanistan Campaign and the National Defense Service Medal, and the NATO Medal.

Charlie Company , 1st Battalion 69th Infantry

C Company is one of four rifle companies assigned to the historic 1st Battalion 69th Infantry, nicknamed the Fighting 69th. The company is currently based at the Camp Smith Training Site. The history of the 1st Battalion 69th Infantry began before the Civil War. During the Civil war Soldiers of the 69th fought at the Battle of Bull Run, the Battle of Fredericksburg (where Confederate General Robert E. Lee reportedly gave the unit it's nickname when he described them as "that fighting 69th regiment" and the Battle of Gettysburg). During World War I the unit distinguished itself as part of the 42nd "Rainbow" Division in France and in World War II the unit fought in the Pacific on the Island of Makin and at Okinawa.

The 1st Battalion 69th Infantry was mobilized for the war in Iraq in 2004 and 2005, serving in Baghdad, and elements of the 69th deployed to Afghanistan in 2008, 2009 and once again in 2012.

The Soldiers of the 1st Battalion 69th Infantry also participated in the New York State response to Tropical Storm Irene in 2011 and Superstorm Sandy in 2012.