LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION memorializing Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to
proclaim March 18, 2014, as Fort Drum Day in the State of New York

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to support and promote
the historic and significant achievements of Fort Drum and the United
States Army 10th Mountain Division; and
WHEREAS, Fort Drum is the largest Army post in the Northeastern United
States, with 19,605 soldiers and 4,739 civilian workers; and
WHEREAS, Fort Drum is the largest employer in Northern New York, with
an economic impact on the North Country and the State of New York of
$1.6 billion; and
WHEREAS, Fort Drum traces its roots to 1907 when the post was known as
Camp Hughes, after New York Governor Charles Hughes, and later as Pine
Camp, and was founded in 1951 as Camp Drum, in honor of Lieutenant
General Hugh A. Drum, who commanded the First Army during World War II,
and eventually designated as Fort Drum in 1974; and
WHEREAS, The 10th Mountain Division, which earned honor during World
War II, fighting in the mountains of Italy in some of the roughest
terrain in the country, and which was renowned for its expertise in
mountain and winter warfare, was reactivated at Fort Drum in 1985, as a
rapid deployment combat light infantry unit, dispatched to trouble spots
around the globe; and
WHEREAS, Fort Drum continues to be home to the United States Army 10th
Mountain Division (Light Infantry), which includes the most deployed
combat brigade in the United States Army, with deployments to Operation
Desert Storm, Saudi Arabia; Operation Restore Hope and Operation Contin-
ue Hope, Somalia; Operation Uphold Democracy, Haiti; Operation Joint
Forge (Bosnia and Herzegovina); Operation Joint Guardian, Kosovo, as
well as hurricane relief efforts inside the United States; and
WHEREAS, The 10th Mountain Division's three combat brigades at Fort
Drum have seen numerous deployments to both Iraq and Afghanistan in
support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom, in
fighting the nation's ongoing war against terror since September 11,
2001; and
WHEREAS, Fort Drum and the 10th Mountain Division are commanded by
Major General Stephen J. Townsend and a dedicated cadre of officers
whose commitment to our nation and our troops is exemplary; and
WHEREAS, Major General Townsend and his command headquarters are
currently deployed in Afghanistan and the 10th Mountain Division is
expected to be among the last military forces to leave that country in
2014; and
WHEREAS, The 10th Mountain Division, throughout its operational histo-
ry, has been awarded six campaign streamers, including two campaign
streamers in World War II and four campaign streamers in the War on
Terrorism, as well as two unit decorations; and
WHEREAS, A total of seven soldiers posted to Fort Drum and its prede-
cessors are recipients of the nation's highest military honor for valor,
the Medal of Honor, including two members of the 10th Mountain Division,
Pfc. John D. Magrath, for his actions at Castel d'Aiano, Italy during
World War II and Sfc. Jared Monti who received the medal posthumously in
2009, for his heroism in Kunar Province, Afghanistan as part of Opera-
tion Enduring Freedom, and who is one of just six Medal of Honor recipi-
ents since 2001 and the start of the global war on terror; and
WHEREAS, Thousands of New York men and women have passed through Fort
Drum, as members of our Armed Forces, the Army, National Guard and
Reserves, showing service, dedication, sacrifice, and commitment and

living up to the 10th Mountain Division motto "Climb to Glory"; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim March 18, 2014, as Fort
Drum Day in the State of New York; and be it further
RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Major General Stephen J. Townsend, Commanding General of Fort
Drum, and the 10th Mountain Division.