New York National Guard Maj. Gen Michel Natali, the assistant adjutant general, presents a plaque to Brigadier Gen. Richard Maponyane, the South Africa Defense Attaché based in Washington D.C., , in Manhattan on December 9, 2021 during a meeting held to discuss State Partnership Program initiatives. The New York Army National Guard and South Africa have participated together in the State Partnership Program since 2003 and was the first partnership in Africa. (New York Army National Guard Staff Sgt. Jonathan Pietrantoni)