Here's how you know
 **Official websites use .mil** .mil
 **Secure .mil websites use HTTPS** lock () https://


Skip to main content (Press Enter).
 Toggle navigation
            
            
            
            
            National Guard
                        Always Ready Always There
                    National Guard
            
            Search National Guard:
                        Search
                    Search
                        Search National Guard:
                            Search
    Home

    News
    
        Guard News

    Overseas Operations

    State Partnership Program

    News Features

    RSS Feeds

    Press Releases

    Transcripts

    Features
    
        Features by Year

    Posture Statement

    State Partnership Program

    Special Features

    About the Guard
    
        How We Began

    Air National Guard

    Army National Guard    
    
        DEERS Soldier Journey

    Leader Development Program

    History and Heritage

    I am the Guard

    NGB Official March

    Leadership
    
        CNGB

    VCNGB

    SEA

    DANG

    DARNG

    Joint Staff    
    
        J-1

    J-2

    J-3

    J-4

    J-5

    J-6

    J-7

    J-8

    Personal Staff    
    
        Inspector General

    General Counsel    
    
        Special Victims Counsel

    Public Affairs

    Executive Support Services

    Legislative Liaison

    Special Staff    
    
        Office of the Provost Marshal

    Office of the Joint Surgeon

    Director of Acquisitions

    Small Business Programs

    Chaplain

    Senior Leader Management Office

    Diversity Equity Inclusion

    Comptroller

    Resources    
        National Defense Strategy Implementation Guidance

    Community Engagement

    FOIA

    Fact Sheets

    Helpful Links

    Image Gallery
    
        News Images

    Graphics

    Historical Paintings

    Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

    Legislative Liaison

    Small Business Programs

    Social Media

    State Websites

    Videos    
    
        Featured Videos

    On Every Front

    2019 Videos

    2020 Videos

    2021 Videos

    Suicide Prevention

    Family Programs

    Environmental

    Trial Defense Service

    Holistic Wellness Challenge

    Contact Us  Home
  News
  Article View
 
 Download
 Details
 Share
 Download
 Details
 Share
 NEWS
 Gen. Martin Dempsey joins New York's 69th Infantry for St. Patrick's Day By Spc. Alexander Rector, New York National Guard
 NEW YORK - America's highest ranking Soldier celebrated St. Patrick's Day with the Soldiers of the New York National Guard's 1st Battalion, 69th Infantry on Tuesday. Gen. Martin E. Dempsey, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, recognized families of the battalion's fallen, acclaimed its outstanding Soldiers, and added a line to the song "The Fighting 69th," praising their service in Iraq and Afghanistan. Dempsey, an honorary member of the 69th Infantry, took part in the traditional unit day ceremonies which follow the battalion's participation in New York's annual St. Patrick's Day Parade. Dempsey praised the families of seven of the 23 Soldiers killed while serving with the battalion since Sept. 11, 2001, who were honored during the event. "Thank you for going through your own grief, and then coming back to help us remember what's important," Dempsey said. "We're proud of you." Several Soldiers were also recognized for their long and faithful service to the 69th Infantry. "You are what makes America," Dempsey told them. "I can't find another group like this on the face of the Earth; whenever the nation needs you you're there." "I'm proud to be able to say I'm part of your team," he added. Dempsey capped his appearance by leading the National Guard Soldiers in singing the song "The Fighting 69th." The tune was originally written to commemorate the unit's leadership and actions during the Civil War. Dempsey added a last line to the song to commemorate the service of the battalion and its Soldiers in Iraq in 2004/2005 and in Afghanistan. "We remain on watch for our country with courage and renown. We clear the way for the nation on any battle ground," Dempsey sang. "We added to our history in Iraq and Afghanistan and we're proud to wear the stars and stripes when the wolfhounds ride again," he added. This was the 164th time the 69th Infantry had led the world's biggest St. Patrick's Day parade. This year also marked the 10th anniversary of the regiment's service in Iraq. "These occasions are important, not only because it gives us the opportunity to remember the Soldiers and families who have given so much, but to leverage the experience we have gained to make our battalion better," said Lt. Col Sean Flynn, the battalion's commander. The battalion lost a total of 19 Soldiers during their first deployment from 2004 to 2005 in Baghdad. This included eight members from the Louisiana National Guard's Company C, 2nd Battalion, 156th Infantry. Four more Soldiers lost their lives in Afghanistan in 2008. This year, Soldiers marched in Army Service Uniforms and black berets, with one squad marching in full "battle rattle" to show parade onlookers what infantry Soldiers have to wear when they are in a combat environment. Another addition to this year's parade was a horse without a rider, provided by the Military District of Washington, also known as the Old Guard. "A horse without a rider, with boots reversed in the saddle's stirrups, traditionally signifies a fallen warrior," Flynn added. Following the parade up Fifth Avenue, Soldiers from the regiment took a special subway train back to their armory at Lexington Ave. armory where the special ceremony was held. The ceremony was also attended by Major General Patrick A. Murphy the Adjutant General for the State of New York, and 42nd Infantry Division leaders. Murphy also joined the Soldiers of the 69th during the march. Staff Sgt. Patricia Austin contributed to this story
 SHARE
 PRINT
 
 National Guard Professional Education Center Celebrates 50 Years
 By Sgt. 1st Class Christie Smith,
  New York, Connecticut Soldiers are Regional Best Warriors
 By Sgt. 1st Class Jonathan Pietrantoni,
  New Hampshire Guard Welcomes Cabo Verde State Partners
 By Tech. Sgt. Victoria Nelson,
  More
 New York, Connecticut Soldiers are Regional Best Warriors5/20/2024Connecticut Guard Deploys Cloud-Based Radar/Radio Connection5/17/2024New York Air Guard Transports Special Operations Forces5/15/2024 View more Guard News »
 Maryland Air Guard Participates in Desert Flag 20245/17/2024
Georgia Army Guard Joins DEFENDER 24 Exercise in Sweden5/8/2024
Exercise Gobi Wolf 2024 Begins in Heart of Mongolian Steppe5/8/2024 View more Overseas Operations News »
 New Hampshire Guard Welcomes Cabo Verde State Partners5/17/2024

Sierra Leone to Partner with Michigan National Guard, Liberia5/16/2024

Tennessee National Guard Soldiers Join Multinational Exercise5/14/2024 View more State Partnership Program News »
 Back-to-school tools for military families8/11/2015DoD sends blended military retirement proposal to Congress6/16/2015First employment symposium held for National Guard spouses5/11/2015 View more Family Programs News »
 Home
 Site Map
 Privacy & Security Policy
 Link Disclaimer
 Web Policy
 DOD Information Quality
 DOD Open GovernmentFOIA
 No FEAR Act
 Accessibility/Section 508
 Contact Us
 Army Guard Careers
 Air Guard Careers
 USA.gov
                    
Staying Connected
    XYouTubeFlickrFacebookInstagram
                 
                
                

Hosted by Defense Media Activity - WEB.mil