FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 15, 2003

SCHUMER WELCOMES BACK FORT DRUM SOLDIERS FROM OVERSEAS

Senator greets troops returning home from Kabul and Djibouti, and thanks them and their families for their service to our country

Soldiers from 10th Mountain Division are nationally renowned; Several remain in Afghanistan and Iraq

US Senator Charles E. Schumer today visited the Fort Drum military base to greet the men and women of the 10th Mountain Division as they returned to the United States from Afghanistan and Djibouti. Schumer conveyed his gratitude to the troops for their service to our country.

"Thank God that for generations we've been lucky enough to have men and women in this country who were willing to go overseas to risk the ultimate sacrifice to protect us and our liberties," Schumer said. "We're proud of you, we thank you, and most of all, we know that without your service and dedication, we might not be able to enjoy the freedom and values that are the hallmarks of our great nation."

The troops from the 10th Mountain Division were deployed for over six months to support Operation Enduring Freedom. The overwhelming majority of the 500 troops returning home were stationed in the Kabul area of Afghanistan, with the rest coming from Djibouti. Out of the 10,400 troops at Ft. Drum, about half, or 4000-5000, are forward deployed, meaning that thousands of the men and women of Ft. Drum remain overseas.

The 317th Cavalry is now training in Iraq to provide close air support for the first deployment of the Stryker vehicles, which will take place in Iraq. This assignment will last six months. The Strykers are part of the military's Future Combat Systems Initiative.

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