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Download full resolution image Guard Honors African-American Civil War Soldier

Guard Honors African-American Civil War Soldier

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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NY National Guard In the News

US Air Forces Europe -- Fri, 30 May 2025 US, Moroccan Forces strengthen aeromedical evacuation capabilities during African Lion 25 KENITRA AIR BASE, Morocco -- U.S. and Moroccan military medical teams completed a series of joint aeromedical evacuation training missions at Kenitra Air Base, Morocco, from May 1219, 2025,... (more)

Saratogian, -- Thu, 29 May 2025 Never forget: Gerald B. H. Solomon National Cemetery holds 26th annual Memorial Day ceremony SCHUYLERVILLE, N.Y. Each year, the Gerald B. H. Solomon National Cemetery holds a Memorial Day Ceremony, which honors and celebrates the men and women who died protecting our country. This... (more)

Spectrum News -- Mon, 26 May 2025 Remembering New York National Guard members killed in helicopter crash (video) On March 8 of last year, New York Army National Guard aviators Casey Frankoski and John Grassia died in a helicopter crash near the U.S./Mexico border in Texas. They gave their lives for... (more)

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Dated: Fri, Apr 23, 2010 @ 14:10