Senate Resolution No. 3375

BY: Senator RITCHIE

MEMORIALIZING Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim
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.