MENANDS, NY-A New York Army National Guard Color Guard joins Civil War reenactors and members of the Patriot Guard, in honoring Civil War Soldier 1st Sgt. William Francis, a member of the famed 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, the first Black unit to fight in the Union Army. Local Civil War historians identified Francis' unmarked grave at historic Albany Rural Cemetery and arranged for the Veterans Administration to provide a new stone to mark his final resting place.
Francis, who enlisted as a private, served throughout the Civil War, including the 54th's assault on Fort Wagner, South Carolina, made famous in the 1989 movie "Glory".
DMNA Press Releases
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WKTW -- Tue, 14 Apr 2026 Senator Griffo Hosts Emergency Preparedness Training Program ROME, N.Y. -- Senator Joe Griffo hosted an emergency preparedness training program on Tuesday night at Rome City Hall. He partnered with the New York State Citizen Preparedness Corps, NYS... (more)
Times Union -- Mon, 13 Apr 2026 Duty Calls: Army general from Delmar is among top NATO leaders Army Maj. Gen. Sean Flynn, of Delmar, a veteran of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars who has led many New York Army National Guard units, is now the top-ranking American officer in one of the... (more)
Corning Leader -- Thu, 09 Apr 2026 Corning resident wins NY Army National Guard Best Warrior Competition A New York Army National Guard member from Corning was one of two winners of the New York Army National Guard's statewide Best Warrior Competition, held on March 23. Staff Sgt. Derek... (more)