News from New York State Division of Military & Naval Affairs

For more information contact: Eric Durr, 518-429-5186 or 518-786-4581

National Guard Commander Spends Memorial Day With Troops in Afghanistan

Major General Joseph Taluto Recalls Fallen Soldiers

LATHAM, NY (05/23/2008; 1700)(readMedia)-- The commander of the New York National Guard will spend Memorial Day in Afghanistan with New York Army National Guard Soldiers, who are deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

Major General Joseph Taluto, the Adjutant General of New York, said that spending Memorial Day in a combat zone makes the holiday an especially moving experience.

“I’m reminded of the sacrifice our Soldiers make on a daily basis when I’m with them,” Taluto said.

“Since 9/11 twenty-three members of the New York Army National Guard have made the ultimate sacrifice,” Taluto said. “I’m reminded of that every day when I walk past their pictures in the lobby of our New York National Guard headquarters.”

“For those of us who have lost friends, comrades, and loved ones in the service of our country, Memorial Day is more than start of summer and a chance to picnic. It is a time to recall those who gave their all so that others may live in freedom. It is a day of remembrance and a day to recollect those fallen heroes who have always reflected the best in the United States of America,” the general said.

In 2005 Taluto commanded the 23,000 men and women of Task Force Liberty, a force of Active Army, National Guard, and Army Reserve Soldiers operating in four Iraqi provinces north of Baghdad. During that period 84 of those Soldiers were killed in action. As division commander, Taluto attended each of their memorial services.

The New York Army National Guard currently has about 1,700 Soldiers of the 27th Brigade Combat Team deployed in Afghanistan. The brigade commander, Col Brian Balfe, is commander of Combined Joint Task Force Phoenix, an international force of 8,500 service members, from 13 nations who are responsible for training the Afghan army and police forces. The Citizen Soldiers of the brigade are acting as trainers, providing security, and providing the combat support and logistics functions required to maintain this mission.

During his visit Taluto and New York National Guard Command Sgt. Major Robert Van Pelt, the state’s senior enlisted soldier, will meet with New York National Guard Soldiers in their operating locations. The visit will allow the New York National Guard’s leadership to assess the effectiveness of Guard training and equipping and what changes, if any, need to be made for future deployments

About 2,500 members of the New York Army National Guard will deploy to Iraq and Afghanistan in 2008. Members of the New York Air National Guard, including a major contingent from the 174th Fighter Wing in Syracuse, will also rotate as part of the U.S. Air Force’s Air Expeditionary Wings serving in the Central Command area of operations. Currently more than 2, 400 members of the New York Army and Air National Guard are deployed overseas.

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