Friends of the NYS Military Museum Urge Community to Support Inaugural Golf Outing

Fundraiser at McGregor Links Will Help Preserve the Stories and Sacrifice of New York’s Post-9/11 Veterans

WILTON, NY — September 12, 2026 — Twenty-five years after the attacks of September 11, 2001, the stories of the New Yorkers who answered the call to serve must not be forgotten.

That is the message behind a new call to action from the Friends of the New York State Military Museum, as the organization prepares to host its inaugural golf outing on Wednesday, September 23, at McGregor Links Country Club in Wilton.

And right now, The Friends needs the community to answer that call.

Approximately 75 golfers have already registered, but the event has room for 128 participants. Organizers are setting a goal of reaching at least 100 golfers and are asking businesses, organizations, veterans, community leaders and residents throughout the Capital Region to step forward and become a friend of The Friends.

“This is about much more than golf,” said Mark O’Rourke, President of the Friends of the New York State Military Museum. “This is about remembering. It is about honoring the men and women from New York who raised their right hand, put on a uniform and answered their nation’s call after September 11th. Their stories deserve to be preserved, and their sacrifices deserve to be remembered for generations to come.”

Founded in 1991, the Friends of the New York State Military Museum has spent decades serving as an educational, financial and programmatic pillar of support for the New York State Military Museum and Veterans Research Center.

The organization played an important role in establishing the museum and has continued to support its mission and growth, particularly since the museum moved from Albany to Saratoga Springs in 2002.

Honoring a Generation That Answered the Call

The Friends is playing a key role in supporting the museum’s upcoming Global War on Terrorism (GWOT) exhibit, which is scheduled to be dedicated in October.

The exhibit will recognize New York service members who served during the conflicts and military operations that followed the September 11 attacks — a period that profoundly shaped an entire generation of Americans and service members.

But The Friends’ commitment will not end with the opening of the exhibit.

The organization is also sponsoring a multi-year, statewide campaign dedicated to honoring the service and sacrifice of New Yorkers who served in the United States Armed Forces since September 11, 2001.

That effort is being supported by an impressive group of military and community leaders, including Major General (Retired) Joseph Taluto, GWOT Committee Chair; Lieutenant Commander (Retired) JoAnn Swapp, GWOT Committee Vice Chair; Major General (Retired) John Andonie; Rear Admiral (Retired) Garry White; and numerous other distinguished leaders.

The Friends is working closely with the museum’s leadership and staff, led by Colonel (Retired) Richard Goldenberg, as well as the leadership of the New York State Division of Military and Naval Affairs and the New York National Guard, commanded by The Adjutant General of New York State, Major General Ray Shields.

The Community Has an Opportunity to Make a Difference

Preserving military history requires more than displaying artifacts behind glass. It requires telling the stories of the people behind those artifacts — the service members, veterans, families and communities whose lives were forever changed by military service.

The Friends believes the upcoming golf outing can help make that preservation possible.

“We have an opportunity right here in our own community to make a difference,” said Dominguez. “We are asking the private sector to stand with us. Bring your employees. Bring your customers. Sponsor a team. Sponsor a hole. Come out and play. Most importantly, help us make sure that the history and sacrifices of New York’s service members are never lost.”

With approximately 75 golfers registered and 128 spots available, the organization is encouraging the community to help push participation beyond the 100-player mark.

The September 23 event at McGregor Links will bring together golfers, veterans, business leaders, military supporters and members of the community for a day dedicated to supporting one of New York’s most important military-history institutions.

For The Friends, the message is simple:

We remember because they served.
We honor because they sacrificed.
And we preserve their stories because future generations deserve to know.

The Friends is asking the Capital Region to answer the call.

About the Friends of the New York State Military Museum

Founded in 1991, the Friends of the New York State Military Museum is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing educational, financial and programmatic support to the New York State Military Museum and Veterans Research Center. Through fundraising, advocacy and community engagement, The Friends helps preserve and promote New York’s military history and honor the service and sacrifice of the state’s veterans and service members.

Frequently Asked Questions