Trust the process.
As a 16-year member of the United States Air Force Reserve and now in his job as director of emergency management and business continuity at the University, Joseph Hernon has always followed that philosophy.
And that’s why Hernon, a master sergeant in the New York Air National Guard, did not hesitate to receive the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine when it was offered last month to nearly 1,000 New York National Guard soldiers and airmen who are military emergency responders.
“The big thing that I’ve always carried with me is, when it’s my opportunity, trust in the science and trust in the process and if this is what keeps us moving forward, that’s what we need to do,” Hernon says. “The science is behind us and this is how we’re going to win this war, with science and data.
Duty Calls: Honor Guard funerals far fewer in 2020
Terry Brown
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New York Army National Guard Sgt. Joshua Sanzo a member of the northern district Honor Guard, salutes the casket of Victor Frager during a military funeral in 2018 at the Gerald B. Solomon National Cemetery, Schuylerville.Spc. Andrew Valenza / New York Army National Guard
Scores of New York National Guard Honor Guard soldiers and airmen had far less military funerals to perform last year and the elite soldiers and airmen had to adjust the way they performed their duties.
Pandemic restrictions on funeral services have resulted in New York Army and Air National Guard Honor Guard teams providing more than 2,000 fewer military funeral services in 2020 than in 2019, according to Eric Durr, state Division of Military and Naval Affairs spokesman.
By Mid Hudson News -www.midhudsonnews.com
Jan 8, 2021
LATHAM – The commander of the New York Air National Guard’s105th Airlift Wing at the Stewart Air National Guard Base in the Town of Newburgh has been promoted to brigadier general.
The ceremony for Denise Donnell was held at New York National Guard headquarters in Latham on Wednesday, January 6.
Donnell has commanded the wing since 2017 and will continue as the wing commander. The base is also home to the Marine Corps Reserve’s Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 452 and Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 49.
Maj. Gen. Timothy LaBarge, the commander of the New York Air National Guard, said the Donnell was promoted to the general officers rank because of her leadership skills and drive.
33 LATHAM, NEW YORK (01/06/2021) (readMedia) Denise Donnell, the commander of the New York Air National Guard s 105th Airlift Wing, which is based at Stewart Air National Guard Base in Newburgh, was promoted to brigadier general during a ceremony held at New York National Guard headquarters in Latham, New York, on Wednesday, January 6.
Donnell has commanded the wing since 2017 and will continue as the wing commander. The base is also host to the Marine Corps Reserve s Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 452 and Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 49.
Normally, her promotion would have taken place in one of the wing s massive hangers with 1,000 Airmen in formation. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic a small group of 35 people gathered at New York National Guard headquarters and others viewed the proceedings over a Zoom call.
President Donald Trump was impeached, but acquitted at the beginning of 2020. As the year closed, he lost the presidential race to Joe Biden. The former vice president was last candidate standing in a record field that saw more than 25 Democrats run for the nomination including Kamala Harris, Bernie Sanders and surprise newcomer Pete Buttigieg.
These are just a few highlights of the events that took place throughout this year.
A photograph is known to be worth a thousand words, so here’s a look back at the photos that shaped 2020.
January 2020
Credit: AP
Debris is seen from a plane crash on the outskirts of Tehran, Iran, Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2019. A Ukrainian airplane carrying at least 170 people crashed on Wednesday shortly after takeoff from Tehran’s main airport, killing all onboard, state TV reported. (AP Photos/Mohammad Nasiri)