Created: 09/06/2014 11:56 PM WNYT.com
By: Samantha DiMascio
COLONIE – Members of the National Guard and its veterans gathered in the capital region Saturday. General Frank Grass met with veterans and their families at the Desmond Hotel in Colonie for a reunion. General Grass is the highest ranking National Guard officer in the nation.
Saturday’s banquet recognized members of the 42nd Infantry including those who served in WWII, The Cold War and in the Iraq War in 2004 and 2005.
General Grass pointed out that it’s not just about the combat. These men and women also respond to natural disasters.
The General tells NewsChannel 13, “as we look to the future, that dual mission of the National Guard is so critical to maintaining a strong guard that can respond to both the President’s needs and the Governor’s needs”
The 42nd Infantry based in Troy oversees the training and preparations for combat or disaster response of some 14,000 soldiers across five states.