New York State officials honor 10th Mountain Division Soldiers

By Sgt. 1st Class Adora GonzalezMay 23, 2017

New York state officials honor 10th Mountain Division Soldiers
1 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Maj. Gen. Walter E. Piatt, Fort Drum and 10th Mountain Division (LI) commander thanks members of the New York Senate for their continued support and commitment at the Senate Chamber during the sixth annual 10th Mountain Division and Fort Drum day at ... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
New York state officials honor 10th Mountain Division Soldiers
2 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
New York state officials honor 10th Mountain Division Soldiers
3 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – New York State Senator Patty Ritchie of New York's 48th District welcomes Maj. Gen. Walter E. Piatt, Fort Drum and 10th Mountain Division (LI) commander to the New York State Capitol during the sixth annual 10th Mountain Division and Fort Drum day in... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
New York state officials honor 10th Mountain Division Soldiers
4 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – 10th Mountain Division (LI) Soldiers describe Army gear and equipment to New York State Senator Patty Ritchie of New York's 48th District at static displays set up during the sixth annual 10th Mountain Division and Fort Drum day at the New York State... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

ALBANY -- New York state officials honored Soldiers during its sixth annual 10th Mountain Division and Fort Drum Day on Tuesday at the New York State Capitol in Albany, NY.

First organized in 2012 by Senator Patty Ritchie of New York's 48th District, the event included static displays of military gear and up to date equipment and an address in the senate chamber by the division's commanding general which is an honor for an unelected official.

This event was the first for Maj. Gen. Walter E. Piatt, Fort Drum and 10th Mountain Division (LI) commander, since recently taking command of the light infantry division less than a week ago.

Although Piatt is new to the position he is no stranger to the North Country as this is his third time stationed in New York at Fort Drum. His children attended and graduated from New York state schools and grew up in the area, so Piatt personally understands and appreciates the unwavering support of the community and its unique relationships with our military families.

"We actually feel like part of the community, the community is intertwined with us as a very vested interest in the success and care for our soldiers and we could not do it, we could not meet our mission for the United States without the North Country community just plain and simple." Piatt said.

What sets Fort Drum apart from all other Army posts it its reliance on the surrounding community. While most Army posts have schools, hospitals and an adequate majority of housing, Fort Drum does not; and it's the local communities within Jefferson County that provide these services and facilities to meet the needs of each individual Soldier.

"We want to do whatever we can to help. You're not only a fantastic ally you're actually one of the biggest economic engines in the state of New York.. it is an operation that is really second to none." Senator John J. Flanagan of New York's 2nd District, Temporary President and Majority Leader said during a brief introduction of Piatt to senate members.

"When there's a problem nationally the government calls the Army and when the Army has a real problem they call Fort Drum. They're the go-to people and on behalf of our conference certainly I want to welcome you, with senator Richie you could not have a better ally in your corner."

As New York state's largest, single-site employer, Fort Drum helps bolster the local community's economy into the billions every year through payroll, medical and federal monies to schools, but with Fort Drum's distinction as the most deployed division since the War on Terror, the relationship is mutually beneficial with an outpour of community support to military families throughout frequent deployment cycles.

During his address at the New York State Senate Chamber, Piatt delivered an overview of the division and the post, the support of the North Country community and the successes that have been accomplished mainly due to funding and policy support from New York state officials. He thanked them for their contributions and shared the way ahead for the 10th Mountain Division (LI).

"We have to be ready for future land conflicts that will be more lethal than we have seen in the past 20 years. Our soldiers have to be ready to fight the future fight that is unknown with methods we haven't even developed yet with technology not even invented and we need to do that at installations like Fort Drum." Piatt explained. "Our housing, our headquarters, our base is beautiful but it's our training area that makes us relevant. We've got to build readiness, this is the number one priority for my former division commander and now Chief of Staff of the Army Mark Milley, but more than just being ready today we have to be relevant tomorrow."

Piatt described how realistic training facilities at Fort Drum not only benefit our Army but our nation as a whole, he described how environments that look, smell and sound like combat are essential in military advancement and readiness.

"The first time Soldiers see combat should not be the first time they face the enemies of our nation. We've got to prepare them for tomorrow and the only way I can do that is I've got train them hard today." Piatt said. "And that requires a really first class installation which all of you have helped us achieve, but I'm asking for your continued support because we've got to continue to improve it to the future."