Honor “156th” By Renaming Part Of RT. 32

To memorialize the many years of service provided by the 156th Field Artillery of the New York National Guard to the residents of the Hudson Valley and the State of New York, the State Senate today passed legislation (S.6929) sponsored by Senator Bill Larkin (R-C, Cornwall-on-Hudson) which would designate a portion of State Route 32 from the City of Kingston to the City of Newburgh as the \”156th Field Artillery Memorial Highway.\”
 
This memorial highway begins near the Kingston Armory which was a headquarters for the 156th Field Artillery, travels south along Rt. 32 and terminates near the Newburgh Armory which also played an important role in the history of this unit.
 
The 156th Field Artillery (First New York) was first constituted in the New York National Guard from existing companies in eastern New York on March 21, 1898. This unit was mustered into federal service for the Spanish-American War, World War I, and World War II. The 156th Field Artillery has campaign participation credits for Alsne-Mame, Oise-Aisne, and Meuse-Argonne battles of World War I, and for theater activities in Northern France, Rhineland, Ardennes-Alsace, and Central Europe during World War II.
 
Members of the First New York, New York National Guard, the predecessor of the 156th Field Artillery have campaign service credit for the Revolutionary War, New York 1776 and 1777, and major battles during the Civil War including, Manassas, Antietam, Fredricksburg, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, the Wilderness, Spotsylvania, Cold Harbor, Petersburg, and Appomattox.
 
\”The 156th Field Artillery and its earlier designations have valiantly protected residents of the Hudson Valley and the State of New York both at home and in conflicts abroad,\” said Senator Larkin. \”Designating part of the New York State Highway system in its honor recognizes the special members of this unit who have served with distinction and honor throughout its proud history.\”
 
The 156th Field Artillery, First Battalion, the last battalion of the 156th, was ordered to fold its unit flag in the year 2005 and was merged into the 104th Military Police Battalion.
 
The bill was requested by the 156 Regimental Veterans Association. It has now been sent to the Assembly.

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