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Air National Guard members earn medals for Hurricane Irene response

A dozen Air National Guard members who live on the North Fork were recently awarded medals for their service during Hurricane Irene.

The 12 men and women were presented with the New York State Humane Service Medal, which recognizes sustained meritorious service in a humane operation as a result of a natural disaster, such as floods, snow storms, hurricanes, tornados, and acts of mercy during State Active Duty service at the direction of the governor.

Governor Andrew Cuomo mobilized more than 2,500 members of the National Guard in advance of Hurricane Irene’s arrival in New York on Aug. 27. Since then, more than 1,500 additional troops mobilized in response to the landfall and aftermath of Hurricane Irene, which caused flooding, destruction and disarray in many upstate New York counties.

The 12 local recipients are:

Michael Kurtz of Riverhead

Robert Marks of Riverhead

Shaun Garvey of Riverhead

Daniel Hintze of Riverhead

Dashan Briggs of Riverhead

Thomas Keenan of Riverhead

Chad Evans of Cutchogue

Shawn Fitzgerald of Cutchogue

Jack Martilotta of Greenport

Glyn Weir of Mattituck

Andrew Wineberger of Southold

Raymond Mitchel of Southold