CAMP SMITH-- New York Guard Major Douglas Hedwig (left) poses with Maryland Defense Force Major Jari Villanueva who visited New York Guard headquarters here on Saturday, May 5 to honor Hedwig who is retiring from the state’s volunteer defense force. Hedwig has served as the commander of the New York Guard Band, joining after the 9/11 attacks, and provided advice to Villanueva on organizing a Maryland state guard band. Villanueva provided the New Yorker with Maryland Defense Force patches as a token of esteemUnder Hedwig’s leadership the New York Guard band has performed in parades and at public events, as well as for veterans. Hedwig is also the composer of the New York Naval Militia March
DMNA Press Releases
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WWNY -- Wed, 04 Mar 2026 7 After Noon: Ogdensburg Armory set to house new National Guard unit after recruiting goal surpassed WATERTOWN, New York (WWNY) - The Ogdensburg Armory is expected to house a New York Army National Guard unit again, after the state exceeded its regional recruiting target, the Guards second-in-command... (more)
Times Union -- Mon, 02 Mar 2026 Duty Calls: Air National Guard recruiter achieves a milestone New York Air National Guard Tech. Sgt. Jason Malm achieved a milestone with the recruitment of 200 airmen. Malm, a recruiter with the 109th Airlift Wing, achieved that career milestone by... (more)
Buffalo Ledger -- Fri, 27 Feb 2026 Erie County Sheriffs Deputy awarded by France for actions during Iraq deployment Deputy Aaron Taylor of the Erie County Sheriffs Office Aviation Unit has received the French National Defense Gold Medal with Bronze Star for his actions during a 2023 deployment in Iraq.... (more)