Honor Fort Drum Soldiers

May 2, 2017, 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 is named for 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 30 years, Fort Drum has been home to the United States Army's storied 10th Mountain Division, one of the most deployed units in the U.S. Army; and WHEREAS, The 10th Mountain Division served with honor, distinction and great sacrifice as 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 at Fort Drum in New York State, 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 and Operation Iraqi Freedom; and WHEREAS, More than 300 brave men and women who were members of the 10th Mountain Division and based at Fort Drum have given their lives in the cause of defeating global terrorism; and WHEREAS, The distinguished service of units posted 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 the largest employer in Northern New York, and an economic engine for the State and region, with a direct impact of more than $1 billion; and WHEREAS, The 19,000 soldiers and officers of Fort Drum and their families 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 six years, 10th Mountain Division and Fort Drum Day has served to educate members of this Legislative Body about the sacrifices made by the brave men and women of our armed forces, as well as the importance of the installation to our Nation's defense and New York's economy; and WHEREAS, Fort Drum has and will continue to play an important and essential 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 May 2, 2017, 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.