Fort Drum community members renovate Spiritual Fitness Trail

By Sgt. 1st Class Kenneth FossOctober 27, 2014

Fort Drum community members renovate Spiritual Fitness Trail
Judy Moore, wife of Lt. Col. Kelly Moore, previous 10th Mountain Division (LI) chaplain, gives thanks to those who helped renovate the Spiritual Fitness Trail. Some 50 volunteers helped restore the Spiritual Fitness Trail to its former glory. The tra... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

FORT DRUM, N.Y. - Fort Drum Soldiers, civilians and family members gathered Sept. 9 at the Riva Ridge Chapel to officially open the Spiritual Fitness Trail to the public after months of restoration.

The trail was originally constructed in 1992, but suffered significant damages after a devastating ice storm in 1998; it was rarely used since that harsh winter.

Judy Moore, wife of Chaplain (Lt. Col.) Kelly Moore, the previous 10th Mountain Division (LI) chaplain, had it set in her heart to restore the trail, but she knew she would need the help of others. Chaplain (Capt.) Brian Hargis of 1st Brigade Special Troops Battalion shared Judy Moore's desire to repair the trail.

"When we started a couple months ago, we simply had some rakes and a chainsaw," said Hargis.

A Fort Drum forester, Christina L. Malitz, had come by Riva Ridge Chapel to get a prayer for her sister's upcoming wedding, when she heard the chainsaw in the woods. She explained to Hargis that Judy Moore had already submitted work orders for it. That's when Hargis and his group teamed up and started working towards the same goal.

"I called upon 1st BSTB's engineers, other chaplains and their assistants for help - and got nothing less," Hargis said.

Although the restoration process started months ago, the majority of the work was done in a mere week. This collective action was made possible because of the shared vision and dedicated volunteer work of more than 50 people.

Civilian employees from Fort Drum Public Works, and Soldiers from A Company, 1st BSTB, and 7th Engineer Battalion, among many others, provided the equipment and dedication to get the job done with much more than rakes and a chainsaw.

"When we were asked to help out, there was never a question the Public Works team wanted to be there. It's our privilege to serve and help out," said James W. Corriveau, Fort Drum Public Works director.

The goal was to get the trail done by Friday, a day that many people on Fort Drum were spending in remembrance of the lives lost on Sept. 11, 2001.

In order to meet that goal, it would take nothing less than hard work. "(Judy Moore) was here every day, rain or shine, until the sun went down," said Pfc. Joshua P. Russell, 520th Firefighter Company, 7th Engineer Battalion.

"She was really the one (who) put this all together." "She was great; she was looking out for the best interests of the Soldiers and their spiritual health and to provide a place for reflecting. She was thinking about their future even though she was about to move to Fort Bragg," Malitz said.

"I wanted an opportunity to give back to the community that has given so much to me and to provide our Soldiers and community members a place to reflect and focus on their spiritual fitness," Moore said.

The trail is a tranquil place to go on a leisurely walk with family, friends, or as a unit practicing good comprehensive fitness.

The Spiritual Fitness Trail provides a peaceful environment for meditation. Throughout the trail there are signs with thoughts to contemplate and suggestions for prayer.

"There is nothing like (spending time in) the forest," Corriveau said. "It's a natural time to reinvigorate your soul."