PLATEKILL, NY- Members of the New York Army National Guard?s Honor Guard prepare to lay to rest the remains of New York Army National Guard Sgt. Mark Palmateer, at the New Hurley Cemetery on July 11, while family, friends and fellow Soldiers look on.

Sergeant Palmateer, of Poughkeepsie, and Sgt. 1st Class Joseph McKay, of Queens, were killed when their humvee struck an improvised explosive device while on patrol in Logar Province, eastern Afghanistan. Both men were assigned to B Troop, 2nd Squadron 101st Cavalry, which deployed to Afghanistan as part of the 27th Brigade Combat Team. Sgt. Palmateer had previously been assigned to Company C, 1st Battalion 69th Infantry, while Sgt. 1st Class McKay had been a member of the 427th Brigade Support Battalion.

Sergeant First Class McKay was interred on July 10 at Long Island National Cemetery in Farmingdale.

• (Read the Press Release of This Event)