Mountainfest celebrates Fort Drum heritage, remembers the fallen

Jonathon Wheeler, Watertown Daily Times, N.Y.
·2 min read

Jun. 20—FORT DRUM — Mountainfest took over Fort Drum on Thursday with tons of people on hand to celebrate the men and women of the military.

Of those in attendance was Ethan B. Yoder who said he came out to support his spouse.

"I think it's a good way for the community to show their support for both the 10th Mountain Division, the military, and for Fort Drum," he said.

Yoder was active duty for four years, and now works as a civilian on Fort Drum.

"The military's a very important part of my life," he said.

The festival events included a Golden Knights Parachute Team demonstration, a live division demonstration, a salute to the nation, a performance from the 10th Mountain Division Band, and the annual Salute to the Troops concert featuring Billy Currington and special guest Conner Smith.

The Purple Heart was also awarded to Sgt. Kiefer Davis who was with the 2nd Brigade Combat Team and was hit by an unmanned aerial system in October. He was five meters away from the impact.

Davis was diagnosed with a traumatic brain injury. He was on Fort Drum on Thursday to receive his Purple Heart.

Commanding General Scott M. Naumann said he was "overcome with pride to be a part of this great division, this community, and this nation."

Naumann also thanked everyone who had a role in putting together the festival.

"This ceremony is one of the last events comprising Mountainfest. A week designed to celebrate our division's great heritage and this year we celebrate 80 years of the mountain," he said.

"10th Mountain Division soldiers have repeatedly answered the nation's call. And make no mistake, we remain ready to fight and win tonight as America's most deployed combat division."

During Mountainfest week, Fort Drum hosted its annual remembrance ceremony to honor those who have made the ultimate sacrifice.

"We will never forget the sacrifices made by our fallen brothers and sisters, and we remain steadfast in our commitment to our family and loved ones," Naumann said.

Naumann also thanked the families of those who have loved ones in the military such as Yoder and Audrea B. Garcia.

"Today we salute those men and women who have chosen to serve their nation, but we also salute the contributions and sacrifices of their families," he said. "Our families didn't volunteer to serve in uniform, but they serve in their own way, and we can never thank them enough."

Garcia, who is originally from Kentucky, brought her child to their first ever Mountainfest.

"I love it, it's fun," she said.

She said she was most looking forward to seeing the Apache helicopters.

Fort Drum has been hosting the event for at least 30 years.