LATHAM -- Major General Patrick Murphy, the Adjutant General of New York, presents the Honor Guard of the Year Award to Spec. Jarad Fatigate, a member of the 1569th Transportation Company who lives in Sherman, Conn.
The award, dedicated to the memory of Sgt. David Rostum, an Honor Guard member who was killed in action while serving in Iraq with the 2nd Battalion 108th Infantry, requires members to demonstrate proficiency in funeral detail duties, the manual of arms, and physical fitness, and to pass a board exam on general military and military funeral procedures.
Honor Guard members from across the state compete for the honor. Spec. Alisha Somma, a member of the 466th Area Support Medical Company from Waterford, NY was the first runner-up while Spec. Robert Jayne, a member of the 204th Engineer Battalion from Maine, NY was the second runner-up.
The New York Military Forces Honor Guard provides funeral services at almost 10,000 funerals for eligible veterans annually and a New York Honor Guard Team won first place at this year’s National Guard honor guard competition.
DMNA Press Releases
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Times Union -- Mon, 29 Jun 2026 Duty Calls: NY Army National Guard Col. Matthew Kilgore named new commander Kilgore, of Cornwall, now leads more than 4,000 soldiers across New York, Massachusetts and Rhode Island Col. Matthew Kilgore, new commander of the 27th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, receives... (more)
Staten Island Advance -- Sun, 28 Jun 2026 Dedicated Staten Island veteran earns significant promotion after 20 years of service STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. A Port Richmond veteran with combat deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan was promoted to Chief Warrant Officer 4 in the New York Army National Guard during a ceremony at... (more)
Niagara Frontier Publications -- Fri, 26 Jun 2026 New York Army National Guard Band will play free patriotic concerts in Buffalo, Niagara Falls & Lewiston The New York Army National Guard's 42nd Infantry Division Rainbow Band will mark the 250th anniversary of American independence with eight patriotic concerts being held across New York. The... (more)