CONTACT: Mr. John Snyder, Watervliet Arsenal Public Affairs Officer, (518) 266-5055 or Mr. Eric Durr (DMNA) 518-786-4581

FOR RELEASE: Thursday, May 07, 2009

WATERVLIET, N.Y. (05/06/2009)-- Three Capitol Region New York Army National Guard Soldiers who served in Afghanistan will be honored Thursday night by the United States Army Materiel Command Band during a concert at Watervliet High School. Specialist David Hansen, a Troy native and SUNY Albany student; 1stSgt. James Meltz, a Cropseyville resident and New York State Trooper; and Lt. Col. Paul Fanning, originally of Watervliet, and now of Malta and a full-time employee of the National Guard, will be recognized for their service in Afghanistan last year. All served as part of the New York Army National Guard's 27th Infantry Brigade Combat Team. The performance of the AMC Band, based at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, is one of two performances the band will stage in the Capitol Region. Along with appearing at Watervliet High School at 7 p.m. Thursday, the band will also play at the Albany Tulip Festival on Friday from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. The band's appearance in the area was arranged by the Watervliet Arsenal, which falls under the purview Army Materiel Command. The appearances are designed to pay tribute to local military members and veterans, said John Snyder, the Watervliet Arsenal Public Affairs Officer. "Although the Capital District is not a military community, such as Watertown and Fort Drum, it is a community with military as evidenced by the wealth of veterans who enrich our neighborhoods," Synder said. "The Arsenal leadership is very pleased the AMC Band will pay tribute to the local military as a build up to larger community programs that will soon observe Memorial Day." The band will play a variety of music ranging from traditional patriotic-type music to more contemporary rock music. Both concerts are free and open to the public. Hansen, mobilized and deployed in the fall of 2007 with Company C, 2nd Battalion 108th Infantry in Gloversville to serve as part of the Security Force team in Combined Joint Task Force Phoenix, Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. While deployed he engaged in stability operations, provided security during convoy operations and protected Embedded Training Teams assigned to the Afghan National Army. Along with other members of his team he conducted numerous combat missions and earned the Combat Infantryman's Badge, and Army Commendation Medal for his service. Meltz, earned the Bronze Star with a V for valor during his Afghanistan deployment. On the night of May 25-26, Meltz led the Soldiers of his company , D Company, 2nd Battalion, 108th Infantry, as they beat back an attack launched on a long-range convoy by Taliban elements. During the three-hour battle, Meltz,and his company commander, Capt. Merrill were recognized for taking direct actions which led to the repulsion of the enemy force. This was Meltz's second deployment. He had previously deployed to Iraq. Fanning, served as the Public Affairs Officer for the 27th IBCT and Combined Joint Task Force Phoenix, the international element responsible for training the Afghan National Army and police. He was responsible for handling press inquiries from media from around the world, and telling the story of the command and the mission. He was awarded a Meritorious Service Medal for his efforts. AMC is headquartered in Fort Belvoir, Va. and is located in 149 locations worldwide, including more than 30 states and 50 countries. The U.S. Army Watervliet Arsenal is a subordinate command of AMC. If a Soldier shoots it, drives it, flies it, wears it, or eats it, AMC provides it. The AMC Band, which was activated on Jan. 15, 1944, supports the AMC headquarters by playing at venues from Iraq to Watervliet, N.Y. In 2007, the band received an award of Campaign Participation Credit for its support to Operation Iraqi Freedom from 1 November 2003 to 2 February 2004.