Fort Drum honors veterans

FORT DRUM — Soldiers, veterans, their supporters and elected officials gathered Thursday morning at the base's Memorial Park for a formal military celebration of Veterans Day, one day after the federal holiday.

The themes of the speakers were predictable but worth repeating in a place and among people that have borne a heavy share of the burden of carrying America through its current wars.

Col. Jeffrey L. Bannister reminded those present of the heroism of Sgt. 1st Class Jared C. Monti. Sgt. Monti, a soldier with the division's 3rd Brigade Combat Team, was killed during a firefight in Afghanistan in 2006 while trying, for a third time, to reach a fallen comrade, Pfc. Brian J. Bradbury of Lowville. Sgt. Monti's parents were presented with his posthumous Medal of Honor at a White House ceremony in September.

“Like Jared Monti,” Col. Bannister said, “American veterans past and present know full well the meaning of duty, of honor, of country. They have lived it and many of them continue to live it the rest of their lives, continuing to serve their country and their communities when their military service is over ... They still march to the sound of the guns — perhaps it's no longer in battle, but it's civic duty and responsibility.”

Col. Bannister added that today's veterans are fortunate to have not only fine equipment and training, but also “the example of the American veterans that came before them.”

William Morrison, president of the Northern New York chapter of the 10th Mountain Division Association and a World War II veteran with the division, said the nation must thank its veterans in deeds as well as words, by using the electoral process to ensure veterans are cared for during and after deployments.

Retired Col. Michael T. Plummer, president of the National Association of the 10th Mountain Division, also emphasized the importance of civic involvement as a way for citizens to thank veterans for their service.

“We honor them every day by taking full advantage of all the rights and freedoms they have defended,” he said. “Vote in every election; write letters to the editors of the paper; volunteer your time with a worthy cause; be a volunteer firefighter; mentor a child ... Then our veterans will be proud to know that our sacrifices were not in vain.”

Newly elected Rep. William L. Owens attended the ceremony. The congressman said he met with the division and base commander, Maj. Gen. James L. Terry, last week. He said it was an introductory session and declined to discuss specifics.

“I'm learning about the base. I'm concerned about getting all the information I can, participating in events like this,” he said.

“I think it's extremely important that these people who are serving be given all the equipment and support that we can, both when they're on active duty but also when they leave the service,” he said.