CONTACT: Mr. Eric Durr 518-786-4581 or (cell) 518-429-5186

FOR RELEASE: Friday, Jan 30, 2009

ON SITE: Major Miguel Castillo at (518) 944-5013

WHO:

Soldiers of the 4th Finance Detachment of the New York Army National Guard and their family members

WHAT:

QUEENS, NY (01/29/2009)-- Two dozen Citizen Soldiers from the New York Army National Guard's 4th Finance Detachment will return to the Whitestone Armory, Queens on Friday, January 30 after serving for ten months in Bagram, Afghanistan. For access to the Whitestone Armory, reporters must contact Major Miguel Castillo at (518) 944-5013. Because travel times may vary, reporters should call early and leave a number so Major Castillo can contact them if the arrival time changes. The Soldiers are returning following a 10 month deployment in Bagram Afghanistan where they were responsible for dispersing funds to American service members.

WHEN:

9:30 a.m. -10 a.m., Friday, June 30 2009

WHERE:

150-74 W6th Avenue, Queens

VISUALS: Videographers and photographers will be able to photograph soldiers reuniting with their family members inside the armory.

BACKGROUND:

The 4th Finance Soldiers began their Federal Active Duty on February 2 and departed for Camp Atterbury, Indiana, then on to Ft. McCoy, Wisconsin for additional finance training prior to deploying to Afghanistan. Members of the 4th Finance were responsible for providing general finance management and will be attached to an active Army unit that is currently deployed to Afghanistan. The Soldiers returned to the United States on January 25 and spent the past week out processing at Fort Dix, New Jersey. They will now go on leave before leaving federal active duty. The 4th Finance Soldiers will be taking part in the 90-Day New York Army National Guard Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program before returning to normal National Guard Status. The reintegration program is designed to help Soldiers and their families deal with the stresses of going on deployment and coming home again. Members of the media who wish to enter this secure military facility must contact Major Miguel Castillo at 518-944-5013 in order to obtain access. Press should call ahead so that Major Castillo can keep them notified of schedule changes.