Ritchie Rallies to Save Fort Drum

Senator Speaks Out at Community Rally and Listening Session 

In an effort to safeguard Fort Drum from potential cuts, State Senator Patty Ritchie joined community members and elected officials at a rally and “listening session” taking place Friday night at Jefferson Community College. 

During the listening session, Senator Ritchie conveyed the importance of Fort Drum and the 10^th Mountain Division to Army brass in attendance, including John P. McLaurin, III, the Army's deputy director of force management.

“I grew up in St. Lawrence County,” said Senator Ritchie.  “I saw how the expansion of Fort Drum has transformed this region with new jobs, better health care, improved schools and other benefits that extend even to my community.”

“I am proud that the men and women of Fort Drum, of our Army, of the 10^th Mountain Division are all part of New York.”

In addition to her remarks, Senator Ritchie presented Mr. McLaurin, as well as 10^th Mountain Division General Stephen Townsend and Fort Drum Garrison Commander Gary Rosenberg with an official Senate Resolution, which was passed earlier this week in support of Fort Drum and the 10^th Mountain Division.

Senator Ritchie’s full remarks can be viewed here.  

Friday evening’s rally and listening session brought to a close a week of events aimed at highlighting the post.  Earlier this week, Senator Ritchie hosted the fourth annual “10^th Mountain Division and Fort Drum Day” at the Capitol in an effort to introduce Albany’s leaders to the mission and importance of the post and its troops. 

This week Senator Ritchie also delivered $500,000 in new state funding to secure additional "buffer areas" around Fort Drum that are critical to preserving the future of the military post.

Home to 38,000 soldiers and family members, Fort Drum is the largest Army post north of North Carolina and east of the Mississippi River. In addition, the post also employs nearly 5,000 civilians and supports tens of thousands of jobs off base to support the North Country economy. According to a recent economic impact study, it was estimated that Fort Drum pumped roughly $1.3 billion into the economy last year.

(Senator Ritchie is pictured in the above photo with John P. McLaurin, III, Senator Betty Little and Assemblyman Blankenbush)