New York Division of Military and Naval Affairs News - New York National Guard recalls fallen in Memorial Day Ceremony

Story by: Sgt. 1st Class Raymond Drumsta - (Author Title)
Dated: Tue, May 20, 2014

LATHAM, N.Y. -- Command Sgt. Major Frank Wicks, the New York National Guard command sergeant major, speaks at a Memorial Day Ceremony held at the New York State Division of Military and Naval Affairs here May, 20, 2014. More than 200 personnel attended the event, which included a bugler playing "Taps" and a detail of Soldiers who fired volleys to salute the fallen. In his remarks, Wicks encouraged everyone to keep those who’ve fallen in mind, and to visit veterans’ grave sites and memorials. In accordance with military tradition, the helmet, inverted rifle, dog tags and empty boots visible in the foreground represent service members who sacrificed their lives for America. (U.S. National Guard photo by Sgt. 1st Class Raymond Drumsta, Joint Force Headquarters, New York Army National Guard)

LATHAM, N.Y. - New York State leaders took time out to recall both their distant and recent losses in a Memorial Day ceremony here May 20.

While encouraging others to remember all service members who gave their lives for America, Command Sgt. Maj. Frank Wicks, New York command sergeant major, extolled three of those losses by name: his uncle, National Guard 1st Lt. Perry Williams, who was killed in World War II; New York Army National Guard Pfc. Nathan Brown, who was killed in Iraq while serving with Wicks; and New York Air National Guard Staff Sgt. Todd "TJ" Labraico, who lost his life while serving in Afghanistan last year.

"While I wish I could mention every member of the New York Army Guard we have lost, I cannot," Wicks said. "I would however like to speak briefly about three individuals, three members of our New York National Guard, three losses that have had an impact on me." Wicks went on to speak about Williams, Brown and Labraico, calling them "fallen heroes who left his world too early, to help secure our freedom."

Over 200 New York National Guard Soldiers, Airmen and civilian employees attended the ceremony near at the New York State Division of Military and Naval Affairs (DMNA) here. The ceremony was held outside near the facility’s flagpole, where American and New York State flags often at half-mast to honor those recently killed in action.

One of wall of the DMNA lobby is adorned with pictures of the 33 New York National guard members who’ve been killed in action in the war on terror. The memorial is called the "Faces of the Fallen."

The Memorial Day ceremony included a bugler playing taps and a detail of Soldiers who fired volleys to salute those who sacrificed their lives for America. That same day, Wicks and Maj. Gen. Patrick Murphy, the New York State adjutant general, and 30 other Soldiers and Airmen attended the funeral of New York Air National Guard Maj. Gen. Robert Knauff, retired, in Saratoga, N.Y.

Wicks spoke after speeches by Murphy and Thomas Abt, the state Deputy Secretary for Public Safety.

While still a senior at Averill Park High School, Williams joined the in 105th Infantry, 27th Division in 1939, Wicks said. He graduated, was mobilized in 1940, commissioned and sent on to the 128th Infantry, 32nd Division. In 1944, Williams was killed in action in New Guinea and awarded the Silver Star posthumously. He was 23 years old.

A Glens Falls, N.Y., native, Brown joined the New York Army National Guard in 2002. He served with the 2nd Battalion, 108th Infantry in Iraq and was killed in action in Samarra on Easter Sunday, 2004, Wicks said. Brown was 21 years old.

Following in parents’ footsteps, Labraico joined the New York Air National Guard after graduating from high school in 2008. He served in Iraq in 2011 and in Afghanistan in 2013, where he was killed in action outside of Bagram Air Base, Sept. 5. Labraico was 22 years old, Wicks reflected.

"TJ Labraico was the first service member killed in action during my tenure as the New York National Guard senior enlisted leader," Wicks said. "While I consider each of the losses my losses, they are much more than that. They are a loss to the New York National Guard, a loss to the State, the nation and our country. They are a loss to us."

Wicks asked those gathered at the ceremony to a service member, or all service members who "gave their lives so we can stand here today."

"I shared with you the stories of three of the thousands of our fallen heroes," Wicks concluded. "Feel free to honor one of them if you choose. Or walk to the [DMNA] lobby and look at the photos of the 33 Service members we have lost since 911. Or just stop at your local cemetery where you will find a flag on a hero’s grave. Thank you."

Later that day, pilots from the Vermont Air National Guard’s 158th Fighter Wing, flying F-16 fighter aircraft, executed the Missing Man formation during a flyover in honor of Knauff at his funeral at Saratoga National Cemetery. Knauff, the former commander of the New York Air National Guard and the 174th Fighter Wing, died in glider accident near Phoenix in early May.