Guzman honored for hurricane help

Inwood resident and New York Army National Guard Spc. Jeffrey Guzman received the Humanitarian Service Award for service in Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria from Oct. 1 to Nov. 6, of last year. Guzman, who serves with the 442nd Military Police Company, was one of more than 400 National Guard soldiers who are eligible for the award.

“The support of our New York National Guard in the Caribbean following Hurricanes Irma and Maria was nothing short of exceptional, and our soldiers are the reason for that success,” said Major General Anthony German, the Adjutant General of New York. “Our citizen soldiers are used to responding here at home, so the effort to move troops and equipment to Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands presented unique challenges. The presentation of the Humanitarian Service Medal is a great reflection of our soldiers’ commitment to serve others.”

The New York National Guard (New York State Division of Military and Naval Affairs) is the state’s executive agency responsible to the governor for managing New York’s military forces, which consists of nearly 20,000 members of the Army, Air and New York Guard, and Naval Militia.