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NYRA to honor fallen New York Army National Guard soldiers during annual Military Appreciation Day at Saratoga Race Course

by McKenna, Bardack

The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) will pay special tribute on Military Appreciation Day to three New York Army National Guard soldiers from the Capital Region whose helicopter crashed earlier this year, killing two and seriously injuring the third. The tragic accident also claimed the life of a Border Patrol agent from Texas.

These soldiers and all active-duty military members and veterans will be recognized during NYRA’s annual appreciation day, presented by Rivers Casino & Resort Schenectady, on Thursday, Aug. 22 at Saratoga Race Course. Gates open at 11 a.m. with first post scheduled for 1:10 p.m.

All veterans and service members will receive free admission with proper identification. NYRA will also make complimentary tickets available through VetTix.org, which provides tickets to events for veterans and active-duty military personnel.

The day’s fifth race is named in honor of the New York Army National Guard soldiers from the Capital Region who were involved in the tragic accident: Chief Warrant Officer 2 Casey Frankoski of Rensselaer; Chief Warrant Officer 2 John Grassia III of Rotterdam; and Sgt. 1st Class Jacob Pratt of Rensselaer. Frankoski, Grassia III and a fourth crew member, U.S. Border Patrol Agent Christopher Luna of Edinburg, Texas, lost their lives March 8 while patrolling the U.S.-Mexico border in a military helicopter. Sgt. 1st Class Pratt, a Black Hawk Crew Chief, was the sole survivor and continues to recover from his injuries.

In support of the day’s activities and this special tribute, Maj. Gen. Michel A. Natali, Assistant Adjutant General of the New York Army National Guard’s New York State Division of Military and Naval Affairs, will lead a group of New York Army National Guard soldiers in a ceremonial call of “Riders Up” from the Saratoga paddock.

A special ceremony with the families of the fallen soldiers from New York will take place in the Winner’s Circle following the fifth race.

“NYRA is honored to recognize the heroism of our three locally-based New York Army National Guard soldiers: Chief Warrant Officers Casey Frankoski and John Grassia III, who made the ultimate sacrifice; and Sgt. 1st Class Jacob Pratt, who is recovering from injuries sustained during the military operation,” said Dave O’Rourke, NYRA President and CEO. “We also remember U.S. Border Patrol Officer Christopher Luna who perished in the accident, and offer their families our heartfelt condolences and appreciation for their service.

“NYRA likewise extends its gratitude to all veterans and active-duty service members for their courage, dedication and sacrifice. We wish all members of the military, past and present, and their families, an enjoyable day at the track,” O’Rourke said.

A memorable lineup of activities for Military Appreciation Day gets underway at 12:40 p.m. with a performance of the National Anthem by Sgt. 1st Class Emily “MJ” McAleesejergins accompanied by the West Point Color Guard. NYRA employees who are veterans or active members of the military or National Guard will be recognized during this time.

The third race of the afternoon is named for Military Appreciation Day and will feature 102-year-old Ken Bailey, a native of Voorheesville, who is the only surviving soldier from the U.S. Army’s Fourth Cavalry in Europe during World War II. Drafted in 1942 at the age of 20, Bailey participated in several campaigns including Normandy, Northern France, Rhineland, Ardennes and Central Europe. He was awarded five top service honors, including the Bronze Star.

Prior to the third race, Bailey will ring the ceremonial bell in the Winner’s Circle seven times at 17 minutes to post to signify when the horses have entered the paddock.

Military Day will also honor active-duty members of the Naval Support Activity (NSA) Saratoga Springs who will announce “Riders Up” prior to the third race. The NSA Saratoga Springs serves an active-duty population of approximately 3,200 members of the local military community.

Other veterans in the spotlight will include residents of The Wesley Community, a 37-acre senior living campus in Saratoga Springs. Approximately 40 veterans representing the Army, Air Force, Navy and Marines who fought in World War II, the Korean and Vietnam wars will be in attendance.

“The Wesley Community wants to offer its thanks to NYRA for recognizing our very own veterans on Military Appreciation Day,” said Shelly Amato, The Wesley Community Chief Strategy Officer. “NYRA’s acknowledgement each year of the courage and commitment of all veterans and active-duty members of the military reminds us not to take for granted the freedoms we enjoy.”

The afternoon will also showcase the work of the Leatherstocking Honor Flight, a nonprofit organization whose mission is to provide all-expense paid trips for veterans to visit the memorials and monuments in Washington, D.C.

The Leatherstocking Honor Flight is volunteer-run and exclusively donation-funded. Founded in 2008, the organization has flown more than 1,500 veterans from the Capital Region and beyond to the nation’s capital to see the monuments firsthand. The next Honor Flight is slated for Saturday, Oct. 5.

At the conclusion of the fourth race, numerous Honor Flight veterans will present the trophy to the winning connections, followed by a check presentation to the program by representatives of Rivers Casino & Resort Schenectady.

The Stratton VA Medical Center will be in the Community Booth on Military Appreciation Day. The local VA hospital serves veterans in 22 counties in upstate New York, western Massachusetts and Vermont. As one of the leading healthcare systems serving veterans in the New York/New Jersey VA Health Care Network, it provides primary care, including emergency care, mental health and specialty care services, as well as social programs and services.

Highlighted by the 155th edition of the Grade 1, $1.25 million DraftKings Travers on Aug. 24, the 2024 summer meet at historic Saratoga Race Course continues through Monday, Sept. 2.

For more information about Saratoga Race Course visit NYRA.com.