Sgt. Taylor Parker of Halfmoon had just risked his life overseas in Iraq and was honored for his heroics just a day before he died. Taylor always liked to be involved with everything his National Guard unit was doing. Whether it was 9/11 and the response in NYC, to all of the training exercises over the years, right up to our deployment to Iraq in 2005 and 2006. Involvement that was showcased in a painting unveiled just a day before called "never forget." It's a painting that marked the Guard's service in Iraq. Ironically, Sergeant Parker is seen front and center. He had come out and volunteered to sort of stand in on behalf of all the soldiers for when the artist came to visit. Taylor died in a car crash, not in Iraq but in Colonie, and that news sent shockwaves through his National Guard unit. He was involved at so many levels and had a very large impact in the armed forces. He had a lot of contacts both statewide and nationwide with components of the US military, and he was very well loved and very well respected. Respect and involvement that his commanders say parker made a centerpiece of his service with the National Guard, service that will never be forgotten. He was born at St. Peter's Hospital and lived in Halfmoon all of his life. He attended Shenendehowa Central High School and enlisted in the Army National Guard May 11, 1999, in Detachment One, Headquarters and Headquarters Battery 42nd Division Artillery, Troy. Initially assigned as an administrative specialist, he later transferred to Headquarters and Headquarters Company 42nd Infantry Division Troy. Then Private Parker was ordered to active duty for training from June 28, 1998, through Sept. 4, 1998, at Fort Jackson, S.C., where he successfully graduated from basic training. On May 22, 2000, Parker returned to Fort Jackson, S.C. for Advanced Individual Training (AIT) where he graduated as a 71L10, administrative specialist. Parker was advanced to Private First Class April 28, 1999. He continued to work as an administrative specialist until his promotion to Specialist Fourth Class on Aug. 1, 2000. SPC Parker continued to work in his Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) but at increasing levels of responsibility. On Feb. 17, 2004, the 42nd Infantry Division was notified of its mission to Operation Iraqi Freedom. Subsequently, SPC Parker was ordered to active duty with Task Force Liberty, 42nd Infantry Division and Operation Iraqi Freedom, Tikrit, Iraq. SPC Parker deployed on May 15, 2004, as the administrative assistant to the assistant chief of staff, G1 42d Infantry Division. His work during this period earned him numerous accolades from the Division Commander, Major General Taluto and an even higher honor was his recognition from the XVIII Airborne Commander for his work in Task Force Liberty on Extension of Active Duty processing. No small task, SPC Parker was labeled as the best in theater for his work. SPC Parker returned to the United States from Iraq on Nov. 3, 2005, where he continued to work in the G1 Section on awards and decorations until Dec. 22, 2005, when he was officially released from active duty. SPC Parker returned to work in the G1 and was promoted to Sergeant on Aug. 25, 2006. Sgt. Parker has been assigned to the 42nd Infantry "Rainbow" Division for over nine years. Sgt. Parker's awards and decorations include: Meritorious Service Medal Army Commendation Medal Army Achievement Medal, Second Award Army Good Conduct Medal Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal, Second Award National Defense Service Ribbon Army Service Ribbon Overseas Service Ribbon Armed Forces Reserve Medal, With M Device Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal Global War on Terrorism Service Medal. He was predeceased by his maternal grandparents, Leonard and Marie Croteau. He was 26.