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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".
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MyRye.com -- Mon, 11 May 2026 Honoring Service: Fallen Veteran Edward J. McNamara, WWI Our reporting on local veterans is a collaboration with RyeVets.org to highlight those from Rye who have served our country across times of war and peace. There are over 2,100 veterans from... (more)
Times Union -- Mon, 11 May 2026 Duty Calls: Two National Guard officers advance to brigadier general Two New York National Guard officers have advanced to the rank of brigadier. Jason Lefton, of Niskayuna, a veteran of the Iraq War, was promoted to brigadier general while commanding the... (more)
WNYT -- Thu, 07 May 2026 WWII soldier Joseph Burke laid to rest at Saratoga National Cemetery SCHUYLERVILLE, N.Y. (WNYT)- Second Lt. Joseph Burke was laid to rest with military honors after his remains were identified decades after he died as a prisoner of war. The funeral ceremony... (more)
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