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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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Oswego County News Now -- Thu, 23 Jul 2026 Local residents promoted in Army National Guard LATHAM Major General Ray Shields, the adjutant general for the state of New York, announces the promotion of members of the New York Army National Guard in recognition of their capability... (more)
Department of War -- Tue, 21 Jul 2026 New York Guardsmen, Greenland Airports Partner to Improve Lodging Facility The New York Air National Guard, New York Army National Guard and Greenland Airports are working together to improve living conditions for airmen by repairing a long-standing roof issue at... (more)
Times Union -- Wed, 15 Jul 2026 Leaders urge Hochul to sign bill renaming Patroon Island Bridge for Henry Johnson Naming the bridge in honor of Black WWI hero would correct present-day attempts to whitewash history, state Sen. Pat Fahy said ALBANY Under hazy skies from Canadian wildfire smoke that state... (more)
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