Assembly Resolution No. 650

BY: M. of A. Blankenbush

RECOGNIZING May 30, 2023, as the 10th Mountain
Division and Fort Drum Day in the State of New York

WHEREAS, Fort Drum is located in Jefferson County, in Northern New
York, and is the largest military installation in the Northeastern
United States; and

WHEREAS, Fort Drum, previously known as Pine Camp, was renamed in
honor of Lieutenant General Hugh Drum, a decorated national hero, former
commander of the First Army during World War II, and an early leader of
the State's own volunteer militia, the New York Guard; and

WHEREAS, For 38 years, Fort Drum has been the home of the United
States Army's storied 10th Mountain Division, one of the most deployed
divisions in the United States Army; and

WHEREAS, The 10th Mountain Division served our nation with honor,
distinction and great sacrifice as a part of Operation Enduring Freedom
and other actions central to our nation's response to the terrorist
attacks of September 11, 2001; and

WHEREAS, Elements of the 10th Mountain Division, based on Fort Drum,
were the first to be deployed in the aftermath of those attacks and the
last units to return from combat duty; and

WHEREAS, In addition to Operation Enduring Freedom, 10th Mountain
Division deployments have included Hurricane Andrew Relief in Florida,
Operation Restore Hope in Somalia, Operation Uphold Democracy in Haiti,
Task Force Eagle in Kosovo, Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Freedom
Sentinel in Afghanistan and advise and assist operations throughout the
World; and

WHEREAS, More than 300 brave men and women of the 10th Mountain
Division, based on Fort Drum have given their lives to the cause of
defeating global terrorism; and

WHEREAS, The distinguished service of units assigned to Fort Drum
has been celebrated by Presidents, members of Congress, and members of
the international community; and

WHEREAS, Four heroes serving with the 10th Mountain Division,
Private First-Class John D. Magrath, Sergeant First Class Jared C.
Monti, Captain William D. Swenson and Staff Sergeant Travis W. Atkins
have received our military's highest honor, the Medal of Honor; and

WHEREAS, During the 2018 fiscal year, Fort Drum provided training
and base operations to support more than 27,000 Reservists and National
Guardsmen, as well as personnel from other federal, state and local
agencies; and

WHEREAS, In August of 2018, the President of the United States
visited Fort Drum to sign the $717 billion Fiscal 2019 National Defense

Authorization Act, which included a 2.6 percent military pay increase;
and

WHEREAS, In addition to its vital role in our nation's defense, Fort
Drum is also the largest employer in Northern New York, and an economic
engine for the state and region, with a direct impact of $2.2 billion;
and

WHEREAS, The bond between Fort Drum and the local civilian community
is truly unique, and more than 33,000 soldiers, officers, retirees and
family members of Fort Drum are an integral part of the North Country
who are welcomed as neighbors, co-workers, classmates, friends and
fellow New Yorkers; and

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to salute the
soldiers and officers of the 10th Mountain Division, to honor their
dedication to preserving our freedom and our nation, and to recognize
their individual and collective contributions to our communities and to
New York State; and

WHEREAS, For the past eight years, 10th Mountain Division and Fort
Drum Day has served to educate members of this Legislative Body about
the sacrifices made every day by the brave men and women of our Armed
Forces, as well as the importance of Fort Drum to our nation's defense
and New York's economy; and

WHEREAS, Fort Drum has and will continue to play a critical role in
ensuring our nation's military readiness to defend our state and nation
against hostility and threats to our safety and national security; now,
therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
recognize May 30, 2023, as the 10th Mountain Division and Fort Drum Day
in the State of New York; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Major General Gregory K. Anderson, Commanding General,
10th Mountain Division and Fort Drum.