Mountainfest 2014: Thousands brave rain to attend Mountainfest

By Mrs. Melody Everly (Drum)July 3, 2014

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2 / 10 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Maj. Gen. Stephen J. Townsend, left, Fort Drum and 10th Mountain Division (LI) commander, and Command Sgt. Maj. David J. Martel, right, 10th Mountain Division (LI) rear senior enlisted adviser, congratulate Col. Frederick "Mark" O'Donnell, 1st Brigad... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
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FORT DRUM, N.Y. -- Rain showers didn't stop thousands of Soldiers, Family Members and community members from enjoying Fort Drum's annual Mountainfest Day celebration June 25 on Division Hill.

The day's festivities concluded a weeklong series of competitions, sporting events, activities and ceremonies leading up to the two-week block leave period Soldiers began Saturday.

Sporting competitions kicked off June 16, with teams vying for the coveted Commander's Cup trophy in events like volleyball, functional fitness and soccer, to name a few.

On June 19, Soldiers and Families were invited to spend the day touring the scenic St. Lawrence River and Alexandria Bay. Thousands of attendees enjoyed a fun-filled day of activities on the mainland and on the water, including bouncy houses, arts and crafts, and a riverboat ride with a stop at Boldt Castle on Heart Island.

On June 24, Family Members and friends were invited to attend the annual Remembrance Ceremony in Memorial Park. There they witnessed the dedication of a commemorative plaque honoring Fort Drum Soldiers who gave their lives this past year in support of freedom.

An early morning Division Run kicked off the Mountainfest Day events June 25. Activities continued at Division Hill in the afternoon, with a variety of carnival-style games, concessions, a custom-car show hosted by Better Opportunities for Single Soldiers, and much more.

Attendees had an opportunity to get a sneak peek at the life of a Soldier as they walked through several military equipment displays. Children were invited to see the interior of wreckers and Humvees as Soldiers provided them with demonstrations and information about the equipment.

Child, Youth and School Services staff members were on hand with a variety of fun activities for children of all ages, including an archery range, a laser tag course, bounce houses and slides.

Staff members from Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation provided a rock-climbing wall and an ATV riding course, where staff and Soldier volunteers took children for rides.

Vendors were on hand with a variety of specialty food items, informational displays, freebies and games for children.

Family readiness groups provided snow cones, face painting and games for those in attendance.

Donna Orvis, FMWR marketing manager, said that Mountainfest is a great way for FRGs to get some exposure and to raise funds.

"It is an opportunity for Fort Drum sanctioned private organizations and family readiness groups to raise funds that support their programs and services that they provide back to the Fort Drum Soldiers and Families," she said.

Michael Jordao said he enjoyed the carnival games a great deal, but he was most excited about being able to view the vehicle displays.

"I like the Army trucks," he said. "The Soldiers talked to us about them, and we even got to go inside some of them. The car show is really cool, too."

Hal Greer, FMWR director, said he was pleased to see Families coming out despite the on and off rain showers that continued throughout the day.

The success of this year's Mountainfest celebration, he said, was possible because of the support of the community and of corporate sponsorship, and the hard work of staff members from Fort Drum's Directorate of Public Works.

"It's a consortium of contributions from sponsors on the FMWR side and volunteers who augment the event as well," he said. "Public Works is an integral part of events like this. They do all the assembly work with lights, electricity, generators -- all of the support not just for Mountainfest, but for many of our events throughout the year."

Greer emphasized the importance of taking the time to celebrate our Soldiers and Families for the many sacrifices that they have made.

"Mountainfest is a celebration of the achievements of 10th Mountain Division and what they've accomplished," he said.

In addition to celebrating Soldiers, Mountainfest concludes more than a week of special events and ceremonies, he said.

"We kick off our sporting events, we hold Riverfest, and we recently celebrated the Army's birthday," he said.

Greer also said Mountainfest is a great opportunity for community members who support our Soldiers to be a part of celebrating the 10th Mountain Division (LI).

"It's all about giving back to our Soldiers and to our community," he said "It's a celebration of our Soldiers and our Family Members, and we just kind of wrap around the celebration to our nation."

At 5 p.m., the Salute to the Nation ceremony began with a rank and file display of the flags of each U.S. state and territory.

Maj. Gen. Stephen J. Townsend, Fort Drum and 10th Mountain Division (LI) commander, who returned to Fort Drum on rest and recovery leave only a few days earlier, welcomed Soldiers, Family Members and honored guests to the ceremony.

Lt. Gen. James L. Terry, commander of U.S. Army Central Command / Third Army and former Fort Drum and 10th Mountain Division (LI) commander, was to be the guest speaker for the event, but he was unable to attend. He asked Townsend to stand in for him and to pass a message along to those in attendance.

"He said 'please pass my thanks to the Soldiers, Families and the North Country community for their collective sacrifices over these many years,'" Townsend said.

Townsend went on to speak of the 10th Mountain Division's legacy in the 29 years since it was reactivated at Fort Drum.

"The history of the 10th Mountain Division is about selfless service to our nation, and it is recorded in our deeds -- not words -- as evidenced by the many plaques that surround the 'climb to glory statue' in Memorial Park," he said. "When our nation calls, 10th Mountain Division responds."

Soldiers of the 10th Mountain Division represent every state and territory of our country, and they have served with distinction every time they have been called upon, Townsend said.

"They continue the tradition of our forefathers who stood back to back at Lexington Green, at Riva Ridge, on the streets of Baghdad and in the mountains of Afghanistan, putting their lives on the line to keep our nation strong and secure," he said.

"Today we are here to salute our nation and look back at our country's history, to honor and recognize all those who came before us who spilt sweat and blood to forge these United States into the bastion of freedom and liberty that it is today."

Townsend spoke of those Soldiers who served in the Continental Army, which was established even before the Declaration of Independence was signed.

"That Continental Army might not have had a declaration to enumerate their reasons for being, but those Soldiers already knew what they were fighting for," he said. "We haven't forgotten from that day to this one."

The Soldiers who served in the Continental Army defeated the British, securing our freedom. Townsend pointed out that they could not have accomplished such a feat without the support of their Families and communities.

"That proud tradition continues today with the wonderful Families of Fort Drum, our great North Country neighbors, and at Fort Polk (La.) as well," he said. "Without all of you, this great division could not succeed."

After the ceremony, more than 3,000 concertgoers made their way to the stage area, where the evening's events began with performances by Syracuse rock band Scars N' Stripes.

Next, country recording artists Gloriana entertained the crowd, and country star Chris Cagle took the stage to complete the evening's musical entertainment.

The evening events concluded with a fireworks display immediately following the concert.