A Behind-the-Scenes look at Fort Drum's Mountainfest Week

Months of planning, and weeks of preparation and rehearsals go into all the events during Mountainfest. This requires participation and coordination among Soldiers and civilians within organizations and units across Fort Drum and the 10th Mountain Division to ensure every aspect of Mountainfest week – which impacts thousands of community members – meets the commander’s intent to provide an inclusive and fun event that honors division heritage and the North Country community.

Maj. Gen. Scott Naumann, 10th Mountain Division (LI) and Fort Drum commander, and Command Sgt. Maj. Brett Johnson, 10th Mountain Division (LI) senior enlisted adviser, fires up the audience for the Salute to the Troops Concert on Division Hill during Mountainfest 2025. (Photo by Mike Strasser, Fort Drum Garrison Public Affairs)

Employees from across the Fort Drum Directorate of Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation pitch in to create Mountainfest on Division Hill. Months of planning, and weeks of preparation and rehearsals go into all the events during Mountainfest. This requires participation and coordination among Soldiers and civilians within organizations and units across Fort Drum and the 10th Mountain Division to ensure every aspect of Mountainfest week – which impacts thousands of community members – meets the commander’s intent to provide an inclusive and fun event that honors division heritage and the North Country community. (Photo by Mike Strasser, Fort Drum Garrison Public Affairs)

Mountainfest, Fort Drum's party on the hill, drew thousands on Division Hill to celebrate the 10th Mountain Division's heritage and connections with the North Country. An action-packed midway and Kids Zone featured an assortment of games and entertainment, while food vendors offered a variety of carnival fare to include fried dough, brick oven pizza, tacos, cheese fries, and more. The 10th Mountain Division Band fired up the crowd before Priscilla Block performed on stage before headliner Chase Rice closed out the Salute to the Troops Concert. (Photo by Mike Strasser Fort Drum Garrison Public Affairs)

FORT DRUM, N.Y. (July 3, 2025) -- It’s 10:23 p.m. on June 26 and the band has left the stage, marking the end of Mountainfest 2025 at Fort Drum.

But not for everyone.

Behind an audience of thousands watching the performances of Priscilla Block and headliner Chase Rice, the Directorate of Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation (FMWR) team went about the preliminary work of packing what had taken the past three days to set up on Division Hill. Tables were stacked, ice chests dumped, giant inflatables collapsed, signs and banners collected, and generators were stored and secured.

As the crowds enjoy the Salute to the Troops Concert, members of the Fort Drum Directorate of Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation get to work in the background packing up and storing what they can before the conclusion of Mountainfest 2025 on Division Hill. (Photo by Mike Strasser, Fort Drum Garrison Public Affairs)

Mike Strasser, Fort Drum Garrison Public Affairs

During the Salute to the Troops Concert, members of the Fort Drum Directorate of Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation start deconstructing the midway area and packing up the games and equipment that entertained attendees during Mountainfest 2025. (Photo by Mike Strasser, Fort Drum Garrison Public Affairs)

Sharon Addison, FMWR director, rallied the weary troops together before they left for the night. She thanked them for the way they seamlessly worked together to create a successful Mountainfest experience for the community.

After an exhausting week to deliver Mountainfest 2025 to the community, members of the Fort Drum Directorate of Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation band together for a photo at the end of the night. (Photo by Mike Strasser, Fort Drum Garrison Public Affairs)

Sharon Addison, Fort Drum Directorate of Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation director, thanks the FMWR team for working together seamlessly to provide a fun and safe environment for the community to enjoy Mountainfest 2025. (Photo by Mike Strasser, Fort Drum Garrison Public Affairs)

“Each year we strive to make Mountainfest bigger and better, and we achieve it because of you, our team,” she said. “Each of you gives your all to ensure Soldiers, families, retirees and civilians have the best experience on this day. Thank you for your dedication, passion and commitment for what you do!”

The morning after Mountainfest 2025, members of Fort Drum Directorate of Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation, a detail of 10th Mountain Division (LI) Soldiers, Directorate of Public Works employees, and volunteers from the Fort Drum Better Opportunities for Single Soldiers return to Division Hill to begin recovery and cleanup operations. (Photo by Mike Strasser, Fort Drum Garrison Public Affairs)

A skeleton crew returned in the morning to continue the recovery and cleanup operations.

“I think we were all pretty tired by the end of the night but also feeling that higher sense of purpose, like this is what we are here to do – supporting Soldiers, families and the community,” said Charlie Rhode, Fort Drum FMWR Business and Community Recreation Division deputy chief. “And we got to see everyone doing that mission as one team. You had people from the sports and fitness staff, Outdoor Recreation staff, or the library, and you’re all doing the same thing and seeing the same result.”

Better Opportunity for Single Soldiers volunteers help cleanup operation on Division Hill to restore it back to normal June 27, the morning after Mountainfest 2025. (Photo by Mike Strasser, Fort Drum Garrison Public Affairs)

Dan Degrie, Magrath Sports Complex manager, empties the dunking booth and prepares to return it back to Outdoor Recreation during recovery operations on Division Hill on June 27, the morning after Mountainfest 2025. (Photo by Mike Strasser, Fort Drum Garrison Public Affairs)

Robert Ashley, with the Directorate of Public Works Roads and Ground Branch, recovers some of the roughly 13,000 feet of fencing used throughout Division Hill for Mountainfest 2025. (Photo by Mike Strasser, Fort Drum Garrison Public Affairs)

From start to finish, it took the combined efforts of Soldiers and civilian employees, directorates and agencies across the 10th Mountain Division (LI) and Fort Drum to create Mountainfest.

The following is a behind-the-scenes look at some of those efforts:

Annual Remembrance Ceremony and Gold Star Social

Each event during Mountainfest Week had a subordinate unit from the 10th Mountain Division responsible for its overall execution. The Division Live demonstration and Salute to the Nation ceremony were under 2nd Brigade Combat Team’s purview, as was the Commander’s Cup Championship and Ruck Challenge. The 10th Mountain Division Artillery took charge of the Division Run.

Soldiers from 1st Brigade Combat Team supported the Annual Remembrance Ceremony and provided wreath bearers, color guard, three-volley salute team and narrator.

Dozens of 10th Mountain Division (LI) Soldiers set up and rehearse the Annual Remembrance Ceremony in Memorial Park, which includes a color guard, wreath-laying, and a three-volley salute firing party. The ceremony honors the service and sacrifices of Soldiers who died while deployed. (Photo by Mike Strasser, Fort Drum Garrison Public Affairs)

The Annual Remembrance Ceremony invites Fort Drum community members, Gold Star and Next of Kin family members, and invited guests to reflect and honor the service and sacrifices of fallen 10th Mountain Division (LI) Soldiers in a solemn and meaningful way.

The 10th Mountain Division (LI) Protocol Office worked alongside 1st BCT to achieve that.

“Overall, our goal is to maintain the dignity and professionalism of the United States Army, and to honor our community, our Soldiers and civilians, veterans, their families and especially our Gold Star families,” said Michelle Foster, chief of protocol.

Foster and the Protocol Office staff worked behind the scenes to ensure all aspects of the ceremony adhered to military standards and protocols. This included the creation of the guest list and seating arrangements, and ensuring the memorial wreaths were respectfully removed from Memorial Park at the conclusion of the ceremony.

Preparations are made in Memorial Park ahead of the Annual Remembrance Ceremony and the Gold Star Family Welcome on June 25, as Soldiers with 1st Brigade Combat Team, the 10th Mountain Division (LI) Commandant’s Office and 10th Mountain Division Protocol works behind the scenes to ensure a successful event. (Photo by Mike Strasser, Fort Drum Garrison Public Affairs)

Soldiers from 1st Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (LI) welcome guests and hand out programs for the Annual Remembrance Ceremony on June 25 in Memorial Park at Fort Drum. (Photo by Mike Strasser, Fort Drum Garrison Public Affairs)

“We provide guidance to military leaders and personnel on proper conduct, dress codes, and etiquette during the ceremony,” Foster said. “We oversee the execution of the ceremony and all the rehearsals ensuring that all participants understand their roles and responsibilities.”

Protocol personnel also prepared and sent invitations, reviewed the ceremony program, and verified that communications and products reflected established guidelines, protocols, and the senior commander’s mission and vision.

“Especially keeping in mind the Gold Star Families and how this ceremony is an opportunity to honor and reflect upon the ultimate sacrifices they and their families have made for our country,” Foster said.

Soldiers from 1st Brigade Combat Team set up chairs and tents, installed flags that stretched across both sides of Memorial Park, cleaned the memorial plaques, and removed weeds and debris from the area.

They also rehearsed the ceremony multiple times to synchronize their actions with the narration – this included Soldiers placing wreaths in front of 23 plaques and rendering a salute at the same time as one another.

Members of the 10th Mountain Division Band warm up before the Annual Remembrance Ceremony in Memorial Park on June 25 at Fort Drum. (Photo by Mike Strasser, Fort Drum Garrison Public Affairs)

Rehearsals help ensure that all participants understand their roles and responsibilities, leading to a smooth and coordinated ceremony. Soldiers with 1st Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (LI) had several rehearsals in Memorial Park before the Annual Remembrance Ceremony on June 25 at Fort Drum. (Photo by Mike Strasser, Fort Drum Garrison Public Affairs)

Debris is removed from each memorial plaque as Soldiers with 1st Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (LI), ensure that Memorial Park is ready to welcome Gold Star family members and invited guests June 25 for the Annual Remembrance Ceremony. (Photo by Mike Strasser, Fort Drum Garrison Public Affairs)

“Rehearsals are necessary to ensure ceremonies and memorials are conducted with precision, respect, and adherence to established protocols,” Foster said.

Sgt. 1st Class Thomas Smith serves as the commandant at Hays Hall, the 10th Mountain Division (LI) headquarters. His office is responsible for the flags that fly in front of the building and in Memorial Park during special ceremonies.

“Last year, we flew the Gold Star flag at Hays Hall just for the Annual Remembrance Ceremony,” Smith said. “Because we have Gold Star families with us all week, we wanted to have our flag out throughout Mountainfest week to welcome and honor them.”

Every morning at Reveille and every afternoon at Retreat, a team of 10th Mountain Division (LI) Soldiers raise and lower the American flag outside Hays Hall at Fort Drum. This week, June 23-27, a Gold Star flag accompanies the American flag to honor the Gold Star families attending events during Mountainfest Week. (Photo by Mike Strasser, Fort Drum Garrison Public Affairs)

Smith worked with Foster to provide remembrance rubbing paper to Gold Star families during the pre-ceremony welcome hour.

“We started that last year so family members can make impressions of the inscriptions on the memorial plaques, and it’s a way they can take a part of the 10th Mountain Division home with them,” Smith said.

The night before the Annual Remembrance Ceremony, senior leaders greeted visiting Gold Star family members at a social inside The Peak.

Becky Morgia, Fort Drum FMWR Business and Community Recreation chief, oversaw the preparations in The Ridge lounge as staff brought out appetizers and trays of food, stocked the bar, and set tables for the evening’s event. Soldiers from 2nd Brigade Combat Team served as escorts for the Gold Star family members, and a quartet from the 10th Mountain Division Band entertained with classic jazz standards like “All of Me.”

Michelle Foster, chief of protocol, and Susan Walling, Gold Star coordinator, prepare to greet guests at the Gold Star evening social June 24 during Mountainfest week at Fort Drum. (Photo by Mike Strasser, Fort Drum Garrison Public Affairs)

Fort Drum Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation staff at The Ridge prepare food and drinks for attendees June 24 during the Gold Star evening social at Fort Drum. (Photo by Mike Strasser, Fort Drum Garrison Public Affairs)

Becky Morgia, Fort Drum FMWR Business and Community Recreation Division chief, polishes silverware for the Fallen Soldier table at the Gold Star evening social at The Ridge on June 24. (Photo by Mike Strasser, Fort Drum Garrison Public Affairs)

Charlie Rhode, Fort Drum FMWR Business and Community Recreation Division deputy chief, cleans off the bar counter in preparation for the evening social for Gold Star families in The Ridge. (Photo by Mike Strasser, Fort Drum Garrison Public Affairs)

Earlier that day, Brittany Garnsey, FMWR Business and Community Recreation coordinator, and other staff were inside Oates Overview Lodge arranging tables and setting the décor for a community luncheon and awards ceremony.

“They chose this facility because it has a nice, inviting atmosphere for a social event,” Garnsey said. “We recommended Oates Overview Lodge because it was newly renovated, and we knew it would beautiful for attendees.”

Fort Drum FMWR staff set up Oates Overview Lodge in Remington Park for a community luncheon during Mountainfest week. (Photo by Mike Strasser, Fort Drum Garrison Public Affairs)

Brittany Garnsey, Fort Drum FMWR Business and Recreation Division coordinator at The Peak, presses linen tablecloths for an upcoming event during Mountainfest Week. For a typical ballroom event, they would press 30 to 40 tablecloths, which can be a slow and laborious process. (Photo by Mike Strasser, Fort Drum Garrison Public Affairs)

Later, Garnsey spent hours in front of a large iron machine inside The Peak to press all the linen tablecloths for the event. Elsewhere on post, FMWR recreational assistants maintained the ball diamonds and sports fields for athletic competitions.

Already two days into Mountainfest Week, the flurry of activity seemed routine and practically unnoticeable to the casual observer.

“Things are pretty calm,” Morgia said. “And I think it’s because we’ve done this, in different variations, multiple times before. We started months ago, just doing day-by-day planning so we know who is doing what, and on what day. Everyone knows the plan, knows where they need to be and what to do.”

That’s not to say Mountainfest Week is problem-free, and that last-minute changes to a plan made weeks ago won’t arise.

“This year was going to be different than most because of the hiring freeze and some of the support we usually see isn’t there,” Morgia said. “That might be the most stressful part of this – making sure that everything that normally gets done will still get done. But again, we’ve been doing this for so long that we have gotten pretty good at foreseeing issues and making things right.”

Rhode said that communication and coordination is pivotal when events are occurring simultaneously across Fort Drum, with dozens of personnel providing various support roles.

Many Mountainfest meetings have been held inside the FMWR conference room at The Peak. Charlie Rhode, Fort Drum FMWR Business and Community Recreation Division deputy chief, consults the Mountainfest board that lists an array of day-to-day tasks and personnel responsible for those tasks. (Photo by Mike Strasser, Fort Drum Garrison Public Affairs)

Capt. Morgan Cady, Fort Drum Directorate of Emergency Services deputy chief of operations, briefs on gate information, road closures and security for Mountainfest during the Community Information Exchange, June 4, inside The Peak. (Photo by Mike Strasser, Fort Drum Garrison Public Affairs)

Representatives from organizations and units across Fort Drum and the 10th Mountain Division regularly meet in person or online for meetings to discuss Mountainfest preparations leading up to the week of activities. (Fort Drum Garrison Public Affairs photo)

“I’ll start my day at Outdoor Recreation to make sure all the inventory is good to go and ready to move to Division Hill and then head over to Magrath (Sports Complex) and see if the sports fields are set,” he said. “I’ll check in on staff at different areas, and stop over Division Hill every day, multiple times, because we have such large team spread out everywhere. It’s a lot to coordinate and we have different ways to communicate, but sometimes that just requires some face-to-face every once in a while.”

Garnsey said that nothing defines a team effort like Mountainfest.

“Everyone has their own area and their own things they have to do for Mountainfest,” she said. “But there’s an understanding that when the call for help comes, everyone is willing to drop what they’re doing and go help that person out.”

Morgia said Fort Drum families might see familiar faces during Mountainfest they otherwise know from places like the child development centers or the library.

Rich Hughes, Fort Drum emergency manager, sets up a first aid station at a location near the concert stage on Division Hill for Mountainfest on June 26 at Fort Drum. (Photo by Mike Strasser, Fort Drum Garrison Public Affairs)

Cole Sullivan, Fort Drum Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation recreation assistant, rounds the bases to level the playing surface on the ball fields behind Magrath Sports Complex. This was preliminary work in late May, in preparation for the softball tournament during the week of Mountainfest. The work began in late March and field maintenance continued leading up to the games. (Photo by Mike Strasser, Fort Drum Garrison Public Affairs)

Fort Drum community members normally would see Chris Franklin, FMWR recreation assistant, at Monti Physical Fitness Center, but he took the plunge (lots of them) to support the community during Mountainfest on Division Hill. (Photo by Mike Strasser, Fort Drum Garrison Public Affairs)

Brandon Reynolds, Greg Connell and Jessica Guyton move inflatables out of the storage area and onto a flatbed truck in preparation to move items from the Outdoor Recreation facility to Division Hill for Mountainfest. Some of their inventory was transported a week earlier to Alexandria Bay for Riverfest, and then returned for cleaning and storage before being moved again for the next Fort Drum Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation event. For Mountainfest, Outdoor Recreation provides the giant inflatable obstacle course, dunking booth, canopies, a giant inflatable slide and bounce houses, coolers, generators, tables, chairs, generators, popcorn, snow cone and cotton candy machines pit cookers, and a lot more. (Photo by Mike Strasser, Fort Drum Garrison Public Affairs)

After receiving a military police escort to Division Hill, Tammy Widrick, Fort Drum FMWR financial management chief, secures the petty cash in a trailer for Mountainfest. (Photo by Mike Strasser, Fort Drum Garrison Public Affairs)

“They might see someone from the gym who is operating the 200-foot slide, or the Outdoor Recreation staff operating the mechanical bull,” she said. “But then there are people you don’t usually see who are just as important to Mountainfest, like our finance team who are in a trailer in charge of the money we take in. Part of the information technology team are selling midway tickets, and others are doing ID checks at the beer tent."

Creating Mountainfest

The ground on Division Hill remained bare when Mountainfest Week started. Not for long, though. Al Janssen, Fort Drum FMWR special events coordinator, and Pat Redden, FMWR equipment specialist, arrived early to begin systematically plugging stakes into the ground at specific intervals. Occasionally consulting the Mountainfest map, they marked the location for vendor booths, food trucks, games, tents and so forth.

Al Janssen, Fort Drum Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation special events coordinator, and Pat Redden, FMWR equipment specialist, lay stakes throughout sections of Division Hill to establish where vendor tents, games, and inflatables and other attractions will be set up for Mountainfest. (Photo by Mike Strasser, Fort Drum Garrison Public Affairs)

They were not alone, as dozens of 10th Combat Aviation Brigade Soldiers formed a detail to install perimeter fencing for parking lots, along with Directorate of Emergency Services and Directorate of Public Works personnel. Additionally, DPW sent a fleet of riding mowers to make one last sweep across Division Hill.

Soldiers unwind a roll of fencing to create an entry point around an FMWR tent for Mountainfest. (Photo by Mike Strasser, Fort Drum Garrison Public Affairs)

Fort Drum Public Works employees oversee a detail of Soldiers installing stakes for fencing to establish entry points for Mountainfest on Division Hill. (Photo by Mike Strasser, Fort Drum Garrison Public Affairs)

Soldiers with the 10th Combat Aviation Brigade work with the Fort Drum Directorate of Public Works to establish perimeter and parking lot fencing – approximately 2,500 feet – in preparation for Mountainfest. Three details of roughly 60 10th CAB Soldiers are contributing to this project, as well as support the Directorate of Emergency Services with parking and entry and exit security, and Family and Morale, Welfare, and Recreation with tent and stage setup. (Photo by Mike Strasser, Fort Drum Garrison Public Affairs)

Summer officially started with high temperatures and humidity, which made the festival setup an exhausting and sweaty ordeal. Janssen wanted the 10th CAB Soldiers to rotate in and out of the shade, stay hydrated and stay safe during their work detail.

Acknowledging they might not have volunteered for it, he emphasized that when it comes to community events, FMWR doesn’t take shortcuts because the Soldiers, family members and civilians who attend Mountainfest deserve the best.

Janssen also encouraged Soldiers to soak in the results of their efforts and he listed off some of the concessions and activities to sample during Mountainfest.

Sgt. Boris Rodriguez, with 6th Squadron, 6th Cavalry Regiment, 10th CAB, has attended Mountainfest four times, but he has never seen its development from the ground up until now.

“At first, I thought maybe this would be easy but then the realization set in that this is really hard work,” he said.

Some of his colleagues were landing helicopters on the other side of Division Hill and setting up military displays.

“I’m really proud of my unit,” Rodriguez said. “Mountainfest is a perfect opportunity for me to show my wife and my kids what I do every day. I can point out every little thing on the helicopter and look at all the other vehicles.”

He can also show his family how his teammates helped build a concert stage and erect massive tents – all for the community.

“Just knowing the hard work behind all this, and then watching everyone have fun because of it, that’s going to be the best part,” Rodriguez said. “After seeing all the kids running around and the smiles on people’s faces, that’s when we know this was all worth it.”

Rolling out the fun

Over at Outdoor Recreation, manager Brandon Reynolds and his team had all the equipment loaded on trucks and trailers, staged in a specific formation and ready to roll onto Division Hill. Some of their inventory was featured during Riverfest in Alexandria Bay earlier in June.

“We like to think of Riverfest as the warm-up round, kind of like the pregame before the big show,” Reynolds said. “Over the years, our team has worked these events side-by-side, and we’ve fine-tuned our process into a well-oiled machine. Each year gets smoother, faster, and more efficient when it comes to loading and staging the mountain of gear that heads out to these events.”

Fort Drum FMWR employees set up a dining tent for Mountainfest 2025 on Division Hill. (Photo by Mike Strasser, Fort Drum Garrison Public Affairs)

For Mountainfest, the loadout included 140 tables and 400 chairs, a dunking booth, eight large and six smaller sized canopies, two bounce houses, a giant inflatable slide, a mechanical bull, a giant inflatable soccer dart game, the 120-foot inflatable obstacle course, foam pit, popcorn, snow cone and cotton candy machines, golf carts, generators, trash cans … and the list goes on.

“Typically, we can load out both Riverfest and Mountainfest in just two to three days,” Reynolds said. “During that time, every trailer gets a full inspection, the big bounce houses are pulled from storage, fully inflated, and scrubbed clean if needed. Golf carts and generators are serviced, and all other equipment is checked for cleanliness and structural soundness. Safety is our top priority.”

Demonstrating excellence

Back on Division Hill, rehearsals were conducted for the Division Live military demonstration and the Salute to the Nation ceremony. The 2nd Brigade Combat Team was the lead unit, but Soldiers from across the division, to include 2nd BCT’s 2nd Battalion, 87th Infantry Regiment; 3rd Battalion, 6th Field Artillery Regiment; and Multifunctional Reconnaissance Company; 10th Combat Aviation Brigade, Military Police, and 41st Engineer Battalion, were part of the program.

Maj. Alexander Saxby, 10th Mountain Division G3 Training, said the Soldiers practiced several days for this highly anticipated and public event.

“It’s the timing that we’re working on the most,” he said. “You’ve got ground elements moving in accordance with the narrated script. And then the aircraft must follow some pretty restricted flight corridors, due to safety regulations flying over populated areas with sling load equipment. So, if we’re not synched with the script, and the helicopters don’t fly over in time with the script, it’s not going to look right.”

The Division Live demonstration includes dozens of Soldiers from across the 10th Mountain Division (LI), as well as aerial and artillery support to showcase the division’s tactical competence in various stages of its history. The demonstration requires multiple rehearsals to coordinate and synchronize the narration with the action on the field. (Photo by Mike Strasser, Fort Drum Garrison Public Affairs)

Fort Drum and 10th Mountain Division (LI) action officers conduct a walkthrough of Mountainfest week activities -- from Memorial Park and Hays Hall to Division Hill. (Fort Drum Garrison Public Affairs photo)

Soldiers with the 10th Mountain Division (LI) got an early start on Mountainfest morning to set up their stations on Division Hill for the Division Live military demonstration June 26 at Fort Drum. The demonstration showcases the 10th Mountain Division’s warfighting capabilities while also showing the connection it has to its historical roots. (Photo by Mike Strasser, Fort Drum Garrison Public Affairs)

Saxby said there was a three-minute window for the aircraft to leave their rally point and fly over Division Hill at the precise moment with the narration. The audience might not see a mistake that a noncommissioned officer or senior leader might spot – so he said the rehearsals help them minimize errors. Ultimately, the goal is to showcase the 10th Mountain Division in the best possible light, and that meant delivering a flawless performance.

“We’re talking about the history of the 10th Mountain Division and the heritage woven in with the warfighting and all the assets we bring to the fight,” Saxby said.

“And we present all this to an audience, many of whom may not have seen anything like this before. So, our goal is to make it all look seamless so we can showcase the 10th Mountain Division to the community. I think the Soldiers are excited to be a part of this. They’ve been working hard, and this is a chance for them to show some of their skills and capabilities to families, friends, and the community.”

Safe and secure

Close to those rehearsals, on the highest spot on the hill, the Directorate of Emergency Services established an incident command post as their base of operations.

“The primary DES functions during Mountainfest truly revolve around the security during Division Hill activities,” said Fort Drum Police Capt. Morgan Cady, DES deputy chief of operations.

Cady said the DES security plans included traffic control, entry control, parking setup and execution, walking patrols and emergency medical response.

“This plan is robust, requiring over 100 personnel to include DES civilians, military police and division assets to bring it all together,” he said. “New this year was the integration of the Law Enforcement Company. Although their numbers are much smaller than some of the MP support we had in the past, the fact that they are a dedicated LE support company whose primary mission is law enforcement has definitely helped with the planning and oversight.”

Service members receive a brief from the Directorate of Emergency Services prior to Mountainfest. (Photo by Michelle Winter, Fort Drum Garrison Public Affairs)

Military Police personnel with the Fort Drum Law Enforcement Company guide attendees through a security checkpoint before entering Mountainfest on Division Hill. (Photo by Mike Strasser, Fort Drum Garrison Public Affairs)

On the day of Mountainfest, there are hundreds of people enjoying the food and entertainment on one side of Division Hill, while hundreds more are on the other side to see the military static displays and the division’s live demonstration. Even with most people’s attention drawn to the attractions, it would have been hard not to notice the presence of law enforcement personnel on patrol.

“More than anything, I think it provided the community with a safe venue, and I think most of our community members truly appreciate and understand that,” Cady said. “Families can have a great day, enjoy good food, and a free concert all while feeling secure and well protected, not to mention seeing the capabilities of the 10th Mountain Division. We in the DES and the LEC take this seriously. It’s one of our biggest events of the year and we take great pride in the security we provide.”

The Directorate of Plans, Training, Mobilization and Security set up a mobile command post alongside DES to create a command-and-control hub during Mountainfest.

“Our primary reason for being out here is to make sure this is a safe, friendly environment for the civilian and military population in attendance,” said Phil Kriner, DPTMS Plans, Operations and Mobilization Division. “If any issue arises, we’re here to deconflict them. We do this for the Soldiers, we do it for their families and friends, and for the local community members.”

Members of the Directorate of Emergency Services and the Directorate of Plans, Training, Mobilization and Security established command posts on top of Division Hill to ensure a safe and secure Mountainfest 2025 for the entire community in attendance. (Photo by Mike Strasser, Fort Drum Garrison Public Affairs)

Phil Kriner, Fort Drum Plans, Operations and Mobilization, returns to the Operations Center on Division Hill during Mountainfest. (Photo by Mike Strasser, Fort Drum Garrison Public Affairs)

Members of the Fort Drum Plans, Operations and Mobilization Division set up their operations center at the highest point on Division Hill, next to the Directorate of Emergency Services incident command post, where they can oversee and respond to any number of situations that could happen during a largescale community event on post. (Photo by Mike Strasser, Fort Drum Garrison Public Affairs)

Kriner said the POM office assisted with developing the plans and operational orders for Mountainfest, as well as advising division staff based on lessons years from previous iterations.

“We have years and years of experience with this, so we were able to make recommendations when needed,” he said. “The way it works during Mountainfest Week is that brigades are assigned event tasks, which is handed down to a battalion effort. It’s resource intensive. So, we can help bring the right people to the table to have those discussions and offer any insights to help them develop their plan.”

The POM team worked alongside division staff, with Capt. Evan Morgan as lead Mountainfest planner, and brigade leaders so that no detail in the planning was overlooked.

“It’s the small things, like requesting the land, for example,” Kriner said. “Who was going to request Division Hill for the live demonstration? Did they coordinate for the MPs during the rehearsals for the live demonstration so no civilian traffic going down those roads?”

At the end of the day, Kriner said that everybody involved was focused on meeting the commander’s intent and creating an event the Fort Drum community could take pride in.

“In my estimation, this was a very well-executed event,” Kriner said. “Everything seemed to go according to plan, and everybody who was involved in the planning was out here making sure things were happening as they should.”

Working Mountainfest

It’s become tradition during Mountainfest for the Fort Drum BOSS program to host a car show. Casey Hixson, BOSS president, said it originated years ago from Soldiers’ requesting the added attraction that they can organize and operate themselves.

“Being able to run an event like this is awesome for the BOSS program to show its effectiveness and diversity in interests we like to cover,” he said. “We have tons of people every year sign up to show off cars, and many more that come through to look and admire the vehicles.”

Jim Moore enters his 1940 Chevy truck at the Fort Drum BOSS Mountainfest Car Show on Division Hill. During his years at Fort Drum as a Soldier and a recently retired civilian employee, Moore has attended roughly 25 iterations of Mountainfest. (Photo by Mike Strasser, Fort Drum Garrison Public Affairs)

Casey Hixon, Fort Drum BOSS president, greets Jim Moore to the BOSS Mountainfest Car Show. Moore, retired Fort Drum Range Control Branch chief, has attended numerous iterations of Mountainfest, both as a civilian employee and a Soldier. (Photo by Mike Strasser, Fort Drum Garrison Public Affairs)

BOSS Soldiers are given an ample portion of real estate of Division Hill to create their event, dividing up space for different categories of vehicles.

“We have so many categories because of the myriad of different vehicle types nowadays, we don't want a cool or unique vehicle to go unrecognized because it doesn't quite fit a classic category,” Hixson said.

Normally, Terri Spencer serves as the Fort Drum FMWR Support Services Division chief. But hours before Mountainfest commenced she took on the role of chief food truck wrangler, directing vendors to their designated spot and making sure no encroachment occurred between vehicles. Earlier in the week, she joined Jon Burnard, FMWR Sports, Fitness and Aquatics, to promote Mountainfest during two televised guest spots on the local morning show.

During the festivities, Spencer oversaw the identification checks at the beer tent and sold tickets.

“It’s a great time,” she said. “My normal job is kind of corporate, dealing with day-to-day financial matters. Mountainfest is fun because it’s a team effort and there is so much camaraderie.”

Civilian employees with Fort Drum Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation set up inflatables and games, signs and tents along the midway area for family members to try during Mountainfest. (Photo by Mike Strasser, Fort Drum Garrison Public Affairs)

Terri Spencer serves as the Fort Drum FMWR Support Services Division chief, but during Mountainfest she was the chief food truck wrangler as she guided people to their designated vendor area. (Photo by Mike Strasser, Fort Drum Garrison Public Affairs)

Cyren Washington, who joined the FMWR team two years ago, normally spends his workday on landscaping and maintenance operations. During Mountainfest, he pitched in at the Kids Zone, assisting with activities in the Child and Youth Services tents and the bounce houses. Around concert time, with all the action happening on the stage, he helped serve patrons in the FMWR beverage tent.

“I think everything went really smooth this year,” he said. “Having seen everything get built up and then having people get to enjoy it made all the work worthwhile.”

Jonathan Bindernagel started at FMWR as a lifeguard nearly two years ago and now works as a recreational specialist.

“FMWR covers so many different areas on post that I feel Mountainfest brings people together from different organizations who you normally wouldn’t meet,” he said. “That makes it more of an enjoyable experience for me.”

He recalled working at the foam pit during his first Mountainfest.

“It was a lot of fun for me, but it could get pretty messy,” he said.

And so could the rest of Division Hill by the end of the night. Janssen was the first to arrive back the next day, as he had been doing most days leading up to Mountainfest.

Janssen essentially served as the architect on the hill, guiding all the action that created the festival-like atmosphere on what is normally used as training grounds the rest of the year.

“Al is the go-to guy during Mountainfest,” said Morgia. “He is a master of organized chaos – he knows where everything is and where everything has to go. He will do anything for anybody. And he has a level of energy at the start of the week that he somehow maintains until the end.”

Sections of Division Hill were staked out a day earlier to indicate where various vendors, tents, games and activities would be situated for Mountainfest. This prepared a team of 10th Combat Aviation Brigade Soldiers and Fort Drum FMWR staff to begin unload some of the equipment during the setup phase. This was happening while other Soldiers across the division were participating in athletic competitions, rehearsing other events, or going about the business of soldiering in the U.S. Army. (Photo by Mike Strasser, Fort Drum Garrison Public Affairs)

Al Janssen, Fort Drum Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation special events coordinator, keeps busy during Mountainfest 2025 to ensure its success. (Photo by Mike Strasser, Fort Drum Garrison Public Affairs)

Al Janssen, Fort Drum Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation special events coordinator, launches hats, shirts and bags into the audience during the Salute to the Troops Concert on Division Hill during Mountainfest 2025. (Photo by Mike Strasser, Fort Drum Garrison Public Affairs)

Al Janssen, Fort Drum Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation special events coordinator, and Becky Morgia, Fort Drum FMWR Business and Community Recreation Division chief, exchange updates as they keep track of all the activity on Division Hill for Mountainfest. (Photo by Mike Strasser, Fort Drum Garrison Public Affairs)

Spc. Joshua Silva, 1st Brigade Combat Team BOSS representative, was among a small team of volunteers to help remove trash and debris from Division Hill.

“Last year I was here not as a place of duty but just to have fun and include myself in the festivities,” he said. “But this time I really got to see a different side of Mountainfest with all the people involved and how much work it takes to organize, set up and break down an event this big. The amount of effort and cooperation it takes is amazing.”

Rhode said that the work to collect and consolidate their inventory the night before with the staff available made all the difference.

“The main reason we did that was because we didn’t want the wind to move or damage anything,” he said. “But also it makes it that much easier for us to finish the job when we have less people out here.”

While Division Hill was being scrubbed clean, most FMWR facilities reopened and it was business as usual. Some who had worked nearly side-by-side a day earlier were once again miles apart.

“That’s why I think these events are so important to us, for our own team morale,” said Rhode. “Most days we work in our own separate little areas, not seeing the big picture of what FMWR does, until we all work together on something like Mountainfest.”

Kriner said no other event on post brings the civilian workforce and the division together like Mountainfest.

“We support a lot of events at Fort Drum throughout the year,” he said. “There’s always Soldiers and civilians involved, but not at the level of Mountainfest. It really comes down to a team effort.”

More photos from Mountainfest 2025 are available at www.flickr.com/photos/drum10thmountain/albums.

A Behind-the-Scenes look at Fort Drum's Mountainfest Week

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