Honor 10th Mountain Division Day

February 6, 2018, 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 32 years, 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, The 10th Mountain Division 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 given their lives to the cause of defeating global terrorism; and WHEREAS, The distinguished service of units assigned to Fort Drum has been celebrated by Presidents, members of Congress, and members of the international community; and WHEREAS, In addition to its vital role in our nation's defense, Fort Drum is also the largest employer in Northern New York, and an economic engine for the state and region, with a direct impact of more than $1.2 billion; and WHEREAS, The more than 30,000 soldiers, officers, retirees and family members of Fort Drum are an integral part of the community, and are welcomed as 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 the past seven 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 an important and 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 6, 2018, 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 Walter E. Piatt, Commanding General, 10th Mountain Division and Fort Drum.