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
NY National Guard In the News
Southnews.net -- Tue, 19 Nov 2024 US Northeast dealing with hundreds of bushfires in windy conditions NEW YORK CITY, New York: Firefighters in New York said on November 17 that a voluntary evacuation overnight helped them protect more than 160 homes from a stubborn wildfire near the New Jersey... (more)
WKBW, -- Mon, 18 Nov 2024 'It's a lot of fun': 107th Attack Wing celebrates milestone recruiting numbers (video): NIAGARA FALLS, N.Y. (WKBW) You've seen our Airmen flying over Highmark Stadium before Buffalo Bills games, getting fans excited. Turns out there's a lot to cheer about on the field and... (more)
NationalGuard.mil -- Mon, 18 Nov 2024 New York Army National Guard New York Air Guard Woman Excels at South Africa Competition POTCHEFSTROOM, South Africa - New York Air Guard Senior Airman Vincenza Costanzo was the top-scoring woman at a week-long South African National Defence Force Military Skills Competition. ... (more)