Senate Resolution No. 2869
BY: Senator BROOKS
MEMORIALIZING Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim
February 26, 2020, 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 three 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, 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 selflessly made the ultimate
sacrifice while dedicating themselves to the cause of defeating global
terrorism; and
WHEREAS, 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, 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, with a total impact of $1.9 billion; and
WHEREAS, Between the Fort Drum and civilian communities exists a
special bond and 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 New
York State; and
WHEREAS, For the past nine 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
memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim February 26, 2020, as
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 Brian J. Mennes, Commanding General, 10th
Mountain Division and Fort Drum.
