Gov. Kathy Hochul is recognizing our New York state heroes.

She presented citations to four individuals Thursday and two groups of New York State Defense Force members.

Sergeant Brian Salcedo, NY Naval Militia, SSG Joel Strickland, NYARNG & Sergeant Desany Jacques, NYARNG, Colonel Jeffrey Roth on behalf of the Joint Task Force-Empire Shield, Col. Glyn Weir on behalf of the 106th Rescue Wing, and Joint Task Force-Empire Shield, the 106th Rescue Wing

The New York National Guard led the country in recruitment and retention, last year.

Also, the federal government ranked the New York National Guard No. 1 for “strength health.”