CONTACT: Lt. Col. Paul Fanning, (cell) 518-441-4106

FOR RELEASE: Sunday, Sep 12, 2010

ON SITE: Lt. Col. Paul Fanning, (cell) 518-441-4106

COLONIE, NY (09/10/2010)-- Soldiers of the New York Army National Guard's Latham-based 206th Military Police Company will be recognized for their 10 months of service in Iraq at a Freedom Salute Ceremony on Sunday, Sept. 12. WHO: One hundred and sixty Soldiers of the 206th Military Police Company and their family members. The Adjutant General, Major General Patrick Murphy, and New York State's Deputy Secretary for Public Safety, Mary Kavaney, will participate in the event. WHAT: A "Freedom Salute Ceremony" to recognize the service of these New York Army National Guard Soldiers in Iraq in 2009 and 2010. WHEN: Noon on Sunday, Sept. 12 WHERE: The Desmond Hotel, 660 Albany Shaker Road, Colonie Coverage Opportunities: A chance to speak with members of the 206th Military Police Company and their family members about their service and the process of returning home. The Adjutant General will also be available to members of the press. Members of the media who wish to cover this event should contact Lt. Col. Paul Fanning at (cell) 518-441-4106. BACKGROUND: 206th Military Police Company More than 160 members of the 206th Military Police Company entered Active Duty in June of 2009 and deployed to Basra Iraq in August 2009. While there, the 206th helped train Iraqi police officers and assisted in providing security for Iraqi parliamentary elections held in March 2010. The unit also provided a quick reaction force to deal with security issues in Basra. The 206th trained the Iraqi Police in police tactics, marksmanship skills, crime scene management, and combat Life Saving Course. The 206th assisted in the training of over 420 Iraqi Police Officers and fostered an enduring relationship with U.S. and Iraqi security forces. The unit also conducted personnel security escort missions for various dignitaries and U.S. personnel. The company is headquartered in Latham but has Soldiers assigned from all areas of New York. In addition to the Capital District, Soldiers from New York City, Poughkeepsie, Kingston, Utica, Auburn, Hornell, Rochester, Binghamton and Buffalo areas deployed with the unit. 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.