Elmira Baseball Salutes New York National Guard on Thursday July 30 at Dunn Field Stadium

ELMIRA, NY (07/29/2015)(readMedia)-- Reporters looking for a fun and wholesome story need look no further than Dunn Field Stadium in Elmira. Minor league baseball's Elmira Pioneers in their final regular season home game, are recognizing New York Army National Guard Soldiers.

WHO: New York Army National Guard Soldiers, recruiters and baseball fans

WHAT: Elmira Pioneers/New York Army National Guard Recognition Day

WHEN: Thursday, July 30, 2015 7:05 PM

WHERE: Dunn Field Stadium, 546 Luce Street, Elmira, NY 14904

CONTACT: Sgt. 1st Class Robert W. Gross II, (607) 349-1223

There will be a rock climbing wall, an armored Humvee for viewing and Soldiers of the New York Army National Guard available for conversation.

BACKGROUND:

The New York Army National Guard, with a membership close to 10,500 soldiers, is currently at 100 percent strength. National Guard Recruiters, though, are continually seeking new Soldiers for job and education opportunities available in units across the state.

An Army National Guard recruiting team at the game is manning a mobile recruiting station at which visitors can find out about part-time jobs available with the Army National Guard. They can learn more about what 10,000 members of the New York Army National Guard do, and consider if they have an interest in joining that team.

Recruiters and Army National Guard soldiers will be prepared to discuss benefits of National Guard membership. This may include money for further education, specialized skills training and additional income.

The New York Army National Guard has units located all across the state. National Guard Soldiers can expect to serve at least one weekend a month, and a couple of weeks during the year, once they complete basic and advanced training. Other training opportunities require a greater time commitment.

Members of the Army National Guard have both a national and state function. Soldiers train as infantrymen, truck drivers, artillerymen, signal specialists, medics and supply clerks, or in other skills. This is in preparation for deployment overseas into combat zones or for other federal missions. National Guard Soldiers also put those military skills to work here in New York State when responding to state emergency missions.

Members of the media are invited to drop by the National Guard recruiting station as part of their coverage. Throughout the summer months New York Army National Guard recruiters will be manning booths at town and county fairs to let the public and potential Soldiers know more about the opportunities available with the force.