East Meadow Natives Honored by National Guard

New York State Adjutant General Major General Patrick Murphy has awarded more than 4,000 members of the New York National Guard the New York State Humane Service Medal to recognize their service during New York's response to Tropical Storm Irene...many of which were from East Meadow.

The award recognizes service in response to members of New York's Organized Militia who distinguished themselves by sustained meritorious service in a humane operation as a result of a natural disaster, such as floods, snow storms, hurricanes, tornados, and acts of mercy during State Active Duty service at the direction of the governor.

Receiving the award locally were:

• New York Air National Guard Master Sergeant Kenneth Hines, a resident of East Meadow, and a member of the 106th Civil Engineer Squadron, 106th Rescue Wing, has been awarded the New York State Humane Service Medal for service in New York's response to Hurricane Irene.
• New York Army National Guard Private 1st Class Matthew Pressler, a resident of East Meadow, and a member of the Company B, 1-69th Infantry, has been awarded the New York State Humane Service Medal for service in New York's response to Hurricane Irene.
• New York Army National Guard Staff Sergeant Christian Quezadaalvarez, a resident of East Meadow, and a member of the Company D, 1-69th Infantry, has been awarded the New York State Humane Service Medal for service in New York's response to Hurricane Irene.
• New York Army National Guard Major Miguel Castillo, a resident of East Meadow, and a member of the Joint Force Headquarters, has been awarded the New York State Humane Service Medal for service in New York's response to Hurricane Irene.
• New York Naval Militia Petty Officer 2nd Class Maikel Almonte, a resident of East Meadow, and a member of the New York Naval Militia, has been awarded the New York State Humane Service Medal for service in New York's response to Hurricane Irene.

The New York National Guard responded when Governor Andrew Cuomo activated the New York Army and Air National Guard and other components of the New York Military Forces when Hurricane Irene threatened the state on Aug. 28.

Governor Andrew Cuomo mobilized more than 2,500 members of the National Guard in advance of Hurricane Irene's arrival in New York on Aug. 27. Since then, more than 1,500 additional troops mobilized in response to the landfall and aftermath of Hurricane Irene, which caused flooding, destruction and disarray in many upstate New York counties.