CONTACT: Eric Durr, 518-786-4581 or (cell) 518-429-5186. On site Major Tanya Pennella at 518-817-5587 or 914-980-1014

FOR RELEASE: Sunday, Apr 18, 2010

NEW YORK, NY (04/16/2010)(readMedia)-- Soldiers of the New York Army National Guard's 53rd Army Liaison Team will be recognized for their service in Iraq during a Freedom Salute Ceremony on Sunday. WHO: Twenty Soldiers of the 53rd Army Liaison Team and their family members. WHAT: A "Freedom Salute Ceremony" to recognize the service of these New York Army National Guard Soldiers in Iraq in 2009. WHEN: Noon on Sunday, 18 April WHERE: Park Avenue Armory, 643 Park Avenue, New York City Coverage Opportunities: A chance speak with members of the 53rd Army Liaison Team and their family members about their service and the process of returning home. The members of the 53rd Army Liaison Team, who served in Baghdad in 2009, come from both New York City and the Albany region. Members of the media who wish to cover the event should contact Major Tanya Pennella at 914-980-1014 or 518-817-5587 in order to secure access . BACKGROUND: 53rd Army Liaison Team: The 53rd Army Liaison Team deployed to Baghdad in 2009 to provide trained staff officers in a variety of command post positions. The unit had deployed to Iraq in 2004/05 and conducted a similar mission. Nine of the team members who deployed with the unit were on their second tour of duty. The 53rd Army Liaison Team is a small unit that has one of the most storied lineages in the National Guard; in fact one of the unit's ancestors gave the name National Guard to what was once known as the militia. In 1825 the 2nd Battalion 2ndRegiment of Artillery, was assembled to welcome the Marquis de Lafayette-the French hero of the Revolutionary War-- to the United States on what was to become a famous tour of the country. In the early days of the French Revolution, Lafayette had commanded a citizen's militia known as the "Gard Nationale de Paris". To honor Lafayette the unit decided to change its name to the American version, the National Guard. Lafayette left his carriage and shook hands with every member of the unit. The name stuck, and by the end of the 19th Century most militia units were calling themselves the National Guard, a change which was made official in 1903. This artillery battalion was later reorganized as the 7th Regiment, and under that name participated in the Civil War. In World War I its name was changed to the 107th Infantry. Eventually the unit was deactivated in 1993 and the lineage transferred to the 107th Support Group, responsible for providing combat support to fighting units. In 2006 a further reorganization of the National Guard resulted in the consolidation of this historic unit into the 53rd Army Liaison Team. Freedom Salute: In December 2003, National Guard Bureau in Washington, D.C., launched the Freedom Salute Campaign nationwide as a way to recognize members of the Army National Guard for service during Operations Noble Eagle, Enduring Freedom, and Iraqi Freedom and thank their spouses, children, and employers for the support they have shown to their Soldier. The Freedom Salute Campaign is one of the largest Army National Guard recognition endeavors in history. Each eligible Soldier will receive an encased American flag, a lapel insignia, a commemorative coin and a certificate of appreciation from the Army National Guard. The Soldier's spouse/significant other will receive a lapel insignia, while the Soldiers' children will be given a Future Soldier Footlocker Kit that includes the Daring Eagle board game, Mission Command card game, and Army National Guard trading cards. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Want to create your own news and distribute it in minutes? Sign up now! News From New York State Division of Military & Naval Affairs Contact Information Eric Durr, 518-786-4581 or (cell) 518-429-5186. On site Major Tanya Pennella at 518-817-5587 or 914-980-1014 Share this News Print Email Click here to embed this news release on your own website. Related Media New York Army National Guard Major Tanya Pennella greats her daughter Angelina Pennella after returning from 10 months service in Iraq with the 53rd Army Liaison Team. Recent News Soldiers Versus Wild for NY Army National Guard Aircrews New York Air National Guard Teams Scores High at Annual State Shooting Match Oneonta Police Department Honored for Supporting New York National Guard New York Air National Guard Mobilizes 130 Airmen at Stewart Air National Guard Base Manhattan-Based Army National Guard Soldiers Recognized on Sunday New York City National Guard Soldiers Leave for Deployment Watervliet Arsenal Ends Production of Lifesaving Armoring Kits New York National Guard Holds Annual Statewide Shooting Match at Camp Smith NY National Guard's 827th Engineer Company Departs for Afghanistan New York National Guard Hosts Army Reserve Soldier Competition at Camp Smith New York City Military Police Company Holds Mobilization Ceremony Before Heading to Iraq Read more news from New York State Division of Military & Naval Affairs...