Assemblyman Scott Gray (R-Watertown) celebrated and honored Fort Drum Day today, May 30, with a Fort Drum Day Breakfast. The event, which was held in the Legislative Office Building from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m., was co-hosted by Gray’s legislative colleagues Assemblywoman Kimberly Jean-Pierre, chair of the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, and Assemblyman Ken Blankenbush, who is a Vietnam War veteran. Gray also introduced members of the 10th Mountain Division (LI) from Fort Drum on the Assembly floor.

The members of the command team in attendance were 10th Mountain Division (LI) Deputy Commander for Support Col. Matthew W. Braman, 10th Mountain Division (LI) Command Sgt. Maj Nema Mobarakzadeh, Fort Drum Garrison Commander Col. James J. Zacchino Jr., as well as other members of the 10th Mountain Division.

“It was a great pleasure to introduce members of the 10th Mountain Division—light infantry division—to the Assembly on behalf of Assemblyman Blankenbush and myself. These members are the 10th Mountain Division’s most deployed division in the United States Army. Fort Drum is fortunate to have a great command team and a great relationship between the community and the U.S. Army base. We are grateful to all of the men and women at Fort Drum for their service. Especially following Memorial Day, it’s important to recognize the impact our Fort Drum friends have on our state,” Gray said.

“It was also a great morning today at the Fort Drum Day breakfast where I was able to have productive conversations with representatives from organizations such as Advocate Drum, DANC, FDRHPO, the NYS Tug Hill Commission and more delegations that help Fort Drum thrive. Thank you to all who showed up this morning to celebrate Fort Drum Day!” Gray concluded.