LATHAM, N.Y.—The New York National Guard remembered 20 members of the New York Army and Air National Guard who died in combat, as a hero, in training, and from other causes since Memorial Day 2017, during a short ceremony at New York Division of Military and Naval Affairs headquarters on Thursday, May 24.
Memorial Day is about remembering those who gave their lives in combat, said Major General Anthony German, the Adjutant General of New York.
But for the families of these Soldiers and Airmen, each death is a loss and worth remembering whether they died as a hero, in combat, in a traffic accident or from natural causes, German said.
“It’s like we got rid of the first rank here and then six more in the second rank,” German told Airmen and Soldiers assembled at the New York National Guard’s fallen warrior monument outside the headquarters building.
On March 15, four members of the New York Air National Guard’s 106th Rescue Wing died when their HH-60 Pave Hawk helicopter crashed during a mission in Iraq. Killed were:
• Captain Andreas B. O’Keeffe, from Center Moriches, NY;
• Captain Christopher T. Zanettis, from Long Island City, NY;
• Master Sergeant Christopher J. Raguso, from Commack, NY;
• And Staff Sergeant Dashan J. Briggs, from Port Jefferson, N.Y.
In December 2017, New York Army National Guard Specialist Joseph Nelk, a member of the 2nd Squadron, 101st Cavalry who was deployed to Ukraine in support of a training mission there, died unexpectedly following a seizure.
Also in December 2017, New York Army National Guard Emmanuel Mensah died while saving people from a burning apartment building in New York City. Mensah was awarded the Soldiers Medal and the New York State Medal for Valor posthumously in recognition of their heroism.
The other Soldiers and Airmen whose names were read during the short ceremony died from disease, natural causes or in traffic accidents.
German urged his listeners to enjoy the long Memorial Day holiday weekend, but asked them to make time in their thoughts for those Airmen and Soldiers who wore the uniform and gave their lives.
“If you have the time, go to a cemetery and look at all those flags and think about all those who have served,” German said.