The hundreds of troops from the 69th Infantry were soon joined by other troops from the various boroughs. At least five New York Army National Guard Troops and two Air National Guard members are listed among the missing or killed at ground zero. From there, the soldiers went directly to the scene. Members of the "Fighting 69th" Infantry rushed to their Lexington Avenue armory, which is only blocks away from ground zero and was later designated a reception center for families of the missing. New York City area troops, including those who were also New York City police officers and firefighters, were already on the job working under incredible conditions trying to save lives. Within hours the number of troops at "ground zero" - the World Trade Center disaster site, at designated logistical and support sites and at armories and air bases had swelled from the hundreds to thousands. Pataki ordered thousands of troops across the state onto State Active Duty to provide direct support to local authorities.
Richard Goldenberg Guard Times Staff NEW YORK CITY Even as the World Trade Center towers were crashing to the ground and dazed survivors were being carried from the rubble, members of New York's Army and Air National Guard were already on scene working with civilian emergency responders.Įven as the disaster was unfolding, New York State's Commander in Chief, Governor George E. Army's Senior Enlisted Soldier Preaches at Ground ZeroĢ001 Guard Times Index| Guard Times Home| Top of Pageīy Lt.Air Guard Medics Meet 'Indiana Jones' in NYC.Praise for New York Nation Guard from Overseas.Family Support Program Instrumental During Crisis.Soldiers Painting Shows Hope Amidst Destruction.Upstate Preschool Dedicates Banner for Rainbow Hope.New York's Civil Support Team Races to Ground Zero.