10th Mountain Division (LI) Color Guard performs the posting of the colors during Fort Drum Day at the New York State Capitol building in Albany, New York, May 7, 2025. Fort Drum Day honored the 10th Mountain Division (LI), and provided a chance for leaders from 10th Mountain Division (LI) to speak with New York Senators and enhance collaboration between Fort Drum and the people of New York. (U.S. Army Photo by Sgt. Samuel Bonney)

Sen. Andrea Stewart-Cousins, representing New York’s 35th Senate District, speaks with Brig. Gen. Joseph E. Escandon, 10th Mountain Division (LI) Deputy Commander of Operations and division senior leaders during Fort Drum Day at the New York State Capitol building in Albany, New York, May 7, 2025. Fort Drum Day honored the 10th Mountain Division (LI) and provided an opportunity for division leaders to engage with New York state Senators and strengthen collaboration between Fort Drum and the people of New York. (U.S. Army photo by Pfc. Savannah Olvera)

Sen. Mark Walczyk, representing New York’s 49th Senate District, speaks with 10th Mountain Division (LI) leaders during Fort Drum Day at the New York Capitol building in Albany, New York, May 7, 2025. Fort Drum Day honored the 10th Mountain Division (LI) and provided an opportunity for division leaders to engage with New York state Senators and strengthen collaboration between Fort Drum and the people of New York. (U.S. Army photo by Pfc. Savannah Olvera)

From left, Command Sgt. Maj. John Folger, 10th Mountain Division (LI) Artillery senior enlisted advisor, Brig. Gen. Joseph E. Escandon, 10th Mountain Division (LI) Deputy Commander of Operations, Sen. Jessica Scarcella-Spanton, representing New York’s 23rd Senate District, and Col. Matthew R. Myer, the Fort Drum Garrison Commander, pose for a photo during Fort Drum Day at the New York State Capitol building in Albany, New York, May 7, 2025. During Fort Drum Day 10th Mountain senior leaders engaged with New York State representatives and strengthened partnerships between 10th Mountain Division (LI) and the community of Albany. (U.S. Army Photo by Sgt. Samuel Bonney)

10th Mountain Division Barbershop Quartet, assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion, 10th Mountain Division (LI), performs during Fort Drum Day at the New York State Capitol building in Albany, New York, May 7, 2025. The event highlighted shared values of service, resilience, and community between the state government and the 10th Mountain Division. (U.S. Army Photo by Sgt. Samuel Bonney)

Brig. Gen. Joseph E. Escandon, 10th Mountain Division (LI) Deputy Commander of Operations, speaks to the New York state Senate during Fort Drum Day at the New York State Capitol building in Albany, New York, May 7, 2025. The 10th Mountain Division (LI) and New York state Senate reaffirmed their joint dedication to supporting service members and advancing regional stability. (U.S. Army Photo by Pfc. Alyssa Norton)

From left, Sen. Mark Walczyk, representing New York’s 49th Senate District, Sen. Robert Ortt, representing New York’s 62nd Senate District, Brig. Gen. Joseph E. Escandon, 10th Mountain Division (LI) Deputy Commander of Operations, and Command Sgt. Maj. John Folger, 10th Mountain Division (LI) Artillery senior enlisted advisor, have a discussion during Fort Drum Day at the New York State Capitol building in Albany, New York, May 7, 2025. Fort Drum Day honored the 10th Mountain Division (LI) and provided an opportunity for division leaders to engage with New York State senators and strengthen collaboration between Fort Drum and the people of New York. (U.S. Army Photo by Pfc. Alyssa Norton)

Chaplain (Col.) James Lester, the Fort Drum senior command chaplain, leads the invocation during Fort Drum Day at the New York state Senate session at the New York State Capitol building in Albany, New York, May 7, 2025. Fort Drum Day is hosted by the New York Senate to honor the 10th Mountain Division (LI) and highlight the bond between the military and surrounding communities. (U.S. Army Photo by Pfc. Alyssa Norton)

Command Sgt. Maj. John Folger, 10th Mountain Division (LI) Artillery senior enlisted advisor, speaks with Holly Boname, the Fort Drum communication coordinator for Regional Health Planning Organization, during Fort Drum Day at the New York State Capitol building in Albany, New York, May 7, 2025. The event highlighted shared values of service, resilience, and community between the New York State government and the 10th Mountain Division (LI). (U.S. Army Photo by Pfc. Alyssa Norton)

Brig. Gen. Joseph E. Escandon, 10th Mountain Division (LI) Deputy Commander of Operations speaks with Mark Pacilio, executive director of Tug Hill Tomorrow Land Trust, during Fort Drum Day at the New York State Capitol building in Albany, New York, May 7, 2025. Fort Drum Day is hosted by the New York Senate to honor the 10th Mountain Division (LI) and highlight the importance of bonds between the military and the community. (U.S. Army Photo by Pfc. Alyssa Norton)

Col. Matthew R. Myer, the Fort Drum Garrison Commander, speaks with Michelle Capone, director of regional development at Development Authority of the North Country during Fort Drum Day at the New York State Capitol building in Albany, New York, May 7, 2025. Fort Drum Day honored the 10th Mountain Division (LI) and provided an opportunity for division leaders to engage with New York state senators and strengthen collaboration between Fort Drum and the people of New York. (U.S. Army Photo by Pfc. Alyssa Norton)

Sen. Jessica Scarcella-Spanton, representing New York’s 23rd Senate District, listens to a brief from Sgt. Cameron Rideout (front) and Sgt. Ryan Painchaud, assigned to the Mountain Training Group, Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion, 10th Mountain Division (LI), while viewing a static display during Fort Drum Day at the New York State Capitol in Albany, New York, on May 7, 2025. The event provided an opportunity for 10th Mountain Division (LI) Soldiers to engage with New York state representatives and strengthen ties between the division and the Albany community. (U.S. Army Photo by Pfc. Alyssa Norton)

Sen. Jessica Scarcella-Spanton, representing New York’s 23rd Senate District, speaks with Brig. Gen. Joseph E. Escandon, 10th Mountain Division (LI) Deputy Commander of Operations, during Fort Drum Day at the New York State Capitol building in Albany, New York, May 7, 2025. Fort Drum Day is hosted by the New York Senate to honor the 10th Mountain Division (LI) and highlight the importance of bonds between the military and community. (U.S. Army Photo by Sgt. Samuel Bonney)

From left, Sgt. Samuel Bonney, Pfc. Savannah Olvera, and Pfc. Alyssa Norton, mass communication specialists assigned to the 27th Public Affairs Detachment, Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion, Division Artillery, 10th Mountain Division (LI), pose for a photo during the Fort Drum Day celebration at the New York State Capitol Building in Albany, New York, on May 7, 2025. The Soldiers provided public affairs support to the event, which honored the 10th Mountain Division (LI) and gave division leaders an opportunity to engage with New York state senators and strengthen collaboration between Fort Drum and the people of New York. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Samuel Bonney)

Senior leaders from the 10th Mountain Division (LI) visited the New York State Capitol in Albany on May 7 to participate in Fort Drum Day, an event celebrating the division’s legacy and ongoing partnership with the people of New York.

The day included showcasing military equipment, and meetings with government officials. These interactions provided senators and local leaders with an opportunity to learn more about the division's mission set, priorities, and goals — strengthening relationships and partnerships between Fort Drum and the New York state government.

Brig. Gen. Joseph E. Escandon, 10th Mountain Division (LI) Deputy Commander of Operations addressed government officials, military leaders, and distinguished guests, expressing gratitude for the continuous support from New York's Congressional delegation and the state’s leadership.

"We are profoundly grateful for your unwavering advocacy," Escandon said. "Your support to Fort Drum and the 10th Mountain Division is not merely valued; it is essential to our readiness and our ability to fulfill our nation’s security obligations."

Escandon also spoke about the division's high operational tempo and global presence.

“The 10th Mountain Division is, without question, one of the most consistently deployed and operationally relevant divisions in the United States Army” Escandon said. “We operate at a high tempo, responding to crises and upholding our national security interests across the globe.”

The celebration of Fort Drum Day highlighted the continued partnership between Fort Drum and the State of New York.

"Together, we will ensure that the 10th Mountain Division remains a ready, capable, and respected force, prepared to answer the nation’s call, wherever and whenever it may come," Escandon stated.

For the Soldiers of the 10th Mountain Division, Fort Drum Day is a reminder that their service is both valued and appreciated, underscoring the importance of strong relationships between state governments and the Army.

“Fort Drum Day in Albany is more than just a ceremony,” said Sgt. Caleb Mullen, an infantryman with 2nd Battalion, 22nd Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team. “It’s a reminder that what we do at Fort Drum is seen and appreciated beyond our gates. It gives us the opportunity to represent the 10th Mountain Division and demonstrate the values we live by every day.”

As the day came to a close, it was evident that the connection between the 10th Mountain Division and the state of New York remained strong, ensuring the continued success and support of the division’s mission.