Ritchie Legislation Honors Fallen 10th Mountain Division Soldier

Bill Creates "Lieutenant Colonel Todd J. Clark Memorial Highway"   

***CLICK HERE FOR VIDEO OF SENTOR RITCHIE'S COMMENTS ON LEGISLATION TO CREATE THE LT. COL. TODD J. CLARK MEMORIAL HIGHWAY***

State Senator Patty Ritchie has announced passage of  legislation she cosponsored to honor Lieutenant Colonel Todd Clark, a 17-year Army veteran and member of the 10th Mountain Division’s 2nd Battalion Combat Team, who was killed in Afghanistan in 2013. 

The measure passed Wednesday would name a portion of the state highway system, near Lt. Col. Clark’s hometown of Albany, the "Lieutenant Colonel Todd J. Clark Memorial Highway.”

“While Lt. Col. Clark was a native of Albany, I was proud to represent him when he was stationed at Fort Drum,” said Senator Ritchie. 

“His death was truly a tragedy—and not only a tremendous loss for his family and friends, but also for our country.  By creating the “Lieutenant Colonel Todd J. Clark Memorial Highway,” we are giving people another way to remember the sacrifices made by this great hero—and telling his family, and all New Yorkers that he won’t be forgotten.” 

A native New Yorker who resided with his family in Evans Mills while serving at Fort Drum, Lt. Col. Clark served three tours in Iraq, and was on his second tour of Afghanistan when he was killed while training local security forces.

Lt. Col. Clark is also the soldier for whom the “Lieutenant Colonel Todd Clark Memorial Flag Presentment Program” was named.  Established in 2013 through legislation cosponsored by Senator Ritchie, the measure provides every family of fallen service member the United States and New York State flags that flew over the State Capitol at half-staff in their honor.

In addition, in 2012, Lt. Col. Clark was among more than 100 soldiers who participated in Senator Ritchie’s first-ever 10^th Mountain Division and Fort Drum Day, an event now held annually at the Capitol to raise awareness of Fort Drum and thank members of the 10^th Mountain Division for the critical role they play in defending our country.