CONTACT: LTC Richard Goldenberg (518) 786-4581

FOR RELEASE: Thursday, Aug 16, 2007

WHO:

Soldiers of the New York Army National Guard’s 42nd Infantry Division Band.

WHAT:

Musical concert for the residents of Glens Falls. Local area Army National Guard recruiters will also be present with area Soldiers, information and vehicle displays.

WHEN:

Thursday, August 16, 2007 at 7 p.m.

WHERE:

Crandall Park, Glens Falls, N.Y.

Members of the New York Army National Guard’s 42nd Infantry Division Band conduct community concerts as part of the unit’s annual training. About three dozen Citizen Soldiers perform duties with the division band, supporting unit functions, military formations, community parades and government functions throughout their training year. This year’s annual training concert series allows select members of the 42nd Infantry Division Band to play for their most important audience, their fellow New Yorkers. Members of the division band mobilized and deployed for service in Iraq from 2004 to late 2005 as part of the 42nd Infantry Division’s support to Operation Iraqi Freedom. The deployment marked the first time a National Guard band has deployed to a theater of combat since the Korean War. The Soldier/musicians of the band performed security duties at Forward Operating Base Danger in Tikrit, Iraq while supporting musical performances across the entire division area of operations. Musical performances by the division band included both morale and recreation events as well as joint U.S. and Iraqi military ceremonies. “This is just one small way that we can give something back to the communities across the state that support their National Guard,” said Chief Warrant Officer Mark Kimes, commander of the unit. The Lake George concert on Tuesday, August 14 is part of a week-long series of performances. The band will also play in Hudson, Schenectady, Troy, Lake George and Albany during their annual training. Members of the division band may be available for media interviews about one hour prior to the concert. For more information contact the Public Affairs Office at the New York State Division of Military and Naval Affairs at (518) 786-4581. Media representatives desiring Soldier interviews must show photo I.D. or appropriate media credentials.