New York GuardSLEEPY HOLLOW-- New York Guard Brig. Gen. David Warager speaks on screen during a virtual/ real world ceremony held on May 2, 2021 online and at Sleepy Hollow Cemetery to honor the members of the New York Guard, the state's defense force, who died while protecting the New York City water system during World War I. The names of the 32 members of the citizen militia who died during the 1918/19 influenza pandemic are commemorated on the boulder you can see in the background here. A wreath was presented and a firing party provided a salute at the cemetery while remarks occured via Zoom.
The New York Guard
The New York Guard is a state volunteer force which augments and supports the New York National Guard with manpower and skills.
New York Guard members are a volunteer, unpaid force which serves at the direction of the Governor. They assist the National Guard in planning, training for and executing state emergency support and disaster missions, and provide legal and medical pre-deployment assistance to the National Guard units and other reserve components as requested.
Many New York Guard members are retired members of the National Guard and other military services, however military experience is not a prerequisite to membership. They are part of the military forces of New York but are not federal military reservists like members of the Army and Air National Guard.
Members of the New York Guard assist National Guard Soldiers and Airmen to serve the people of New York as members of Guard Joint Task Forces which respond to state natural disasters, state emergencies and state security requirements.