Lindenhurst National Guard Members Honored for Hurricane Irene Response

In recognition for their work as part of New York’s response to Hurricane turned Tropical Storm this year, several Lindenhurst residents and National Guard members recently received the New York State Humane Service Medal.

They are:

• New York Air National Guard Airman 1st Class Christine Mahoney. She’s also a member of the 106th Maintenance Squadron, 106th Rescue Wing.
• New York Army National Guard Spc. Thomas Butler. He’s also a member of the Battery B, 1-258th Field Artillery.
• New York Army National Guard Spc. Keith Hills. He’s also a member of the Company B, 1-69th Infantry.
• New York Army National Guard Private First Class Roy Rini. He’s also a member of the Company F (Forward Support Company, Infantry), 427th Brigade Support Battalion.
• New York Army National Guard Sergeant Jose Herrera. He’s also a member of the Company G (Forward Support Company, Field Artillery), 427th Brigade Support Battalion.
• New York Army National Guard First Lieutenant Anthony Fasano. He’s also a member of the Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1-69th Infantry.

They received the medal from New York State Adjutant General Major General Patrick Murphy along with more than 4,000 members of the New York National Guard for their service during Irene.

According to a recent statement about the honor: “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, snowstorms, hurricanes, tornadoes and acts of mercy during State Active Duty service at the direction of the governor.”

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 August 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 August 27.

Since that time 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 New York counties.

National Guard members were significant parts of recovery missions in Essex, Scoharie, Delaware and Greene Counties, with an emphasis on supporting devastated upstate New York communities like in Prattsville, Margaretville and Keene.