National Guard Members To Be Honored For Role in Boston Bombing Response

BOSTON (AP) — The chief of the National Guard Bureau is set to pay tribute to hundreds of service members from Massachusetts and New York who played a key part in the response to the Boston Marathon bombings.

Gen. Frank Grass is set to join Gov. Deval Patrick at the Boston Common to present military awards during the first of two ceremonies scheduled for Monday afternoon. The two will also participate in the June Day ceremonies of the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company, which was founded in 1638 and is the oldest chartered military organization in the western hemisphere.

The second award presentation will be held in the Massachusetts State House.

The April 15 bombings killed three people and wounded more than 260. The Massachusetts National Guard responded by sending nearly 1,300 soldiers and airmen to join other emergency workers.

Copyright 2013 The Associated Press.