FORT DRUM, N.Y. -- To be recognized as the greatest, some win gold medals, some win prestigious awards and some win wars.
Olympic track and field legend Carl Lewis and Jeffrey Marx, youngest-ever Pulitzer Prize winner for investigative journalism and New York Times bestselling author, have been recognized as being among the greatest in what they do.
They decided to visit 10th Mountain Division (LI) Soldiers on April 22 at Fort Drum to gain an appreciation for some of the greatest war-winners in history.
Lewis and Marx arrived at Fort Drum to be greeted by Command Sgt. Maj. David Martel, 10th Mountain Division senior enlisted adviser - rear, and received a briefing on the history of the division.
From there, the two VIPs were taken to training locations around Fort Drum to get an idea of what Soldiers do on a daily basis.
"I'm here to visit and experience the military life," Lewis said. "It's interesting for me, because I've been on bases all around the world over the years, and my son is also looking to go into the military this fall. It's a great experience for me to see the kind of things he will be experiencing. The camaraderie, I think, will be the best thing for him."
The nine-time Olympic gold medalist said what he misses most when he looks back at his competitive days are not the races or jumps, but the camaraderie he shared with his team, much like the camaraderie shared among brothers and sisters in arms.
The visitors observed and experienced firsthand some of the latest training facilities offered to Soldiers on Fort Drum. Their stops included the Atkins Functional Fitness Facility, the Medical Simulation Training Center and the Weapons Training Facility.
Lewis said he found the technology very interesting and he thinks it really makes the training more engaging for the Soldiers. Marx shared similar sentiments.
"It's given me a much greater understanding of what you do, but it's also given me a great understanding of the communication involved, the technology involved," Marx said. "It's one thing to see and hear and read about the military, but to be able to meet the people and to feel the energy and the commitment, see what goes on to make the things happen -- for someone who spends his life with words, it's hard to put into words how I feel."
Marx has authored five books since winning his Pulitzer Prize, to include New York Times bestsellers "Season of Life" and "The Long Snapper." His work also has been featured in Sport Illustrated, Newsweek, Time, Washington Post and countless other newspapers and magazines throughout the world.
He also co-founded and directs the nonprofit organization, The Wendy Marx Foundation for Organ Donor Awareness, named for his sister whose fatal battle with liver failure serves as an inspiration to countless organ donors.
Marx and Lewis also made a stop at the USO, where they took photos and signed autographs with dozens of Soldiers, who represented the Army and the nation with the utmost professionalism.
Lewis also understands what it means to represent the country on an international level, and he relates that meaning to the same representation made by 10th Mountain Soldiers.
"I noticed there are people from all around the world, and seeing them come together as brothers and sisters is touching to me," he said. "At the end of the day, these are the people that represent the United States.
"It's such an honor to represent your country; I had the opportunity in a different way," he continued. "Now that I'm retired, these Soldiers, in my eyes, are the representatives of the USA today."
Lewis and Marx shared their stories with Soldiers while eating lunch at the Warrior Dining Facility and listened to the Soldiers as they did the same.
"It was great to have people like this come to our base and to have the opportunity to sit and talk with them," said Spc. Kaleb W. Behnken, D Troop, 3rd Squadron, 71st Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team. "It meant a lot to me."
"I've been on bases, but this is the most in-depth visit I have ever had," Lewis said. "Today was different because they gave me a part of their life. It's at a special time, because I'm looking to be a military Family. It's really exciting to hopefully be a part of it."
At the end of the day, Marx said the most important thing for him was understanding the combination of the history and the present day and to realize the sacrifices Soldiers have made.
"It gives me a feeling of unbelievable gratitude," he said.
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