Obama visit to Fort Drum will be private

FORT DRUM — North country residents have felt the buzz of the president's visit Thursday. But they won't get to see him.

President Barack Obama will meet with about 150 members of the 1st Brigade Combat Team — many of whom returned from Afghanistan earlier this year — and, later, with a group of Gold Star families.

The events are closed to the public and exact locations of the meetings have not been released. The visit also is expected to be free of elected officials, who are often at high-profile events.

Congress is dealing with pressing issues, and both state U.S. senators, Democrats Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten E. Gillibrand, and 23rd District Rep. William L. Owens, D-Plattsburgh, will be in Washington.

Mark A. Pacilio, chief of staff for Assemblywoman Addie J. Russell, D-Theresa, said the event is a chance for the president to meet directly with members of the oft-deployed division.

"Fort Drum has played a significant role in Afghanistan and we've been there nearly 10 years," he said. "It's great that every president in recent history has been to Fort Drum and President Obama is now among those."

Presidents George W. Bush and Bill Clinton have visited the post. Last year, Vice President Joseph R. Biden welcomed home the 3,500 members of the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, who were among the last units operating in Iraq as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

The visit won't interfere with traffic and festivities at Mountainfest, which begins at 1 p.m. on Division Hill. North country residents can get on post for the free event with a valid government-issued identification card.