“GOVERNMENT OF PUERTO RICO, TO ALL WHO SHALL SEE THESE PRESENTS, GREETINGS: THIS IS TO CERTIFY THAT THE GORVERNOR OF PUERTO RICO HAS AWARDED THE PUERTO RICO NATIONAL GUARD COMMENDATION MEDAL TO…” And that’s how today’s ceremony began when the Adjutant General of Puerto Rico, Isabelo Rivera, presented the Puerto Rico National Guard Commendation Medal to New York National Guards Citizen-Soldiers who came to support the relief efforts in the aftermath of Hurricane Maria. Their presence didn’t just bring food, water and supplies to the affected citizens as a result of the Hurricane, they als


“GOVERNMENT OF PUERTO RICO, TO ALL WHO SHALL SEE THESE PRESENTS, GREETINGS: THIS IS TO CERTIFY THAT THE GORVERNOR OF PUERTO RICO HAS AWARDED THE PUERTO RICO NATIONAL GUARD COMMENDATION MEDAL TO…” And that’s how today’s ceremony began when the Adjutant General of Puerto Rico, Isabelo Rivera, presented the Puerto Rico National Guard Commendation Medal to New York National Guards Citizen-Soldiers who came to support the relief efforts in the aftermath of Hurricane Maria. Their presence didn’t just bring food, water and supplies to the affected citizens as a result of the Hurricane, they also brought hope. With about 60 Citizens-Soldiers strong, they performed more than 350 hours of flight within a 30-day period and more than 150 missions completed. Lt. Col. Jason Lefton from the 3-142nd Assault Helicopter Battalion from Ronkonkoma, NY., Sgt. 1st Class Steven Salter from C Co. 1-171st General Support Aviation Battalion (GSAB) Medical Co. in Rochester, NY. and Warrant Officer 5 Marques A. Martins, from the 42nd Combat Aviation Brigade of NYARNG, Latham, NY., were the awardees in a brief ceremony that took place at the Puerto Rico Army National Guard Army Aviation Support Facility (AASF) in San Juan Puerto Rico. “I felt very glad to be part of this mission and being part of the effort of assisting and helping Puerto Rico in their recovery,” said Lefton. They brought and flew their own Blackhawks UH-60’s and Lakota UH-72 helicopters for the completion of their missions. Thanks to the support provided by the NYARNG to the relief efforts, the people of Puerto Rico can expect now a more expedited recovery from the devastation left behind as a result of Hurricane Maria. (PRNG photos by Spc. Hamiel Irizarry PRNG-PAO/Released)


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Keywords: army, guard, hurricanemaria, national, nationalguard, nyang, prng, puerto, rico, york