Senate Resolution No. 1713
BY: Senator SCARCELLA-SPANTON
MEMORIALIZING Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim
May 4, 2026, as 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 First Army, and an early leader of the State's own
volunteer militia, the New York Guard; and
WHEREAS, For more than four decades, 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, Members of the 10th Mountain Division have 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, the 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, The storied 10th Mountain Division (Alpine) that deployed
unique and unprecedented mountain warfare skills, breaking the gothic
line in World War II, was inactivated in 1945, and the current 10th
Mountain Division (LI) reactivated at Fort Drum in 1985; we proudly mark
the 41st Anniversary of this Division, once again, standing up to meet
emerging requirements for the defense of our nation as Light Infantry,
soldiers who rapidly deploy with what they can carry on their backs,
answering the call of our nation, built on a proud legacy and adding to
it as one of the Army's most deployed units; and
WHEREAS, We also commemorate the 81st Anniversary of the historic
Battle of Riva Ridge, a key and remarkable victory during World War II
in February 1945, when the Soldier-mountaineers first started the
Division's "Climb to Glory" with extraordinary bravery, tactical
ingenuity, skill and endurance, securing victory and starting
irreversible momentum that resulted in the liberation of Italy; and
WHEREAS, More than 300 brave men and women of the 10th Mountain
Division have given their lives to the cause of defeating global
terrorism; and
WHEREAS, Distinguished service of units assigned to Fort Drum have
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, In addition to its vital role in our nation's defense, Fort
Drum is also the largest employer in Northern New York, the State's
largest single-site employer, and an economic engine for the State and
region; the Fort has a total impact of $1.9 billion; and
WHEREAS, A special bond exists between Fort Drum and the civilian
communities surrounding it; the 33,000 soldiers and family members of
the installation are an integral part of the North Country who not only
are considered defenders of our freedom, but also our 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 more than 10 years, the 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
memorialize Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim Monday, May 4, 2026, as
10th Mountain Division and Fort Drum Day in the State of New York; and
be it further
RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to The Honorable Kathy Hochul, Governor of the State of New
York, Major General Gregory Anderson, Commanding General, 10th Mountain
Division, and Fort Drum.
