[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 14 (Tuesday, February 24, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E202-E203]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
TRIBUTE TO NEW YORK STATE MILITARY FORCES AND THE 10TH MOUNTAIN
DIVISION (LIGHT INFANTRY)
______
HON. JOHN M. McHUGH
of new york
in the house of representatives
Tuesday, February 24, 1998
Mr. McHUGH. Mr. Speaker, I want to take this opportunity to pay
tribute to the New York State Division of Military and Naval Affairs
and the Army's 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry) at Fort Drum,
New York for their extraordinary efforts on behalf of the people of
Northern New York during one of the worst ice storms to ever hit the
region. Their efforts represent the finest tradition of joint training
and missions.
In January, a devastating storm swept through the northeast,
paralyzing most of Northern New York. The ice storm toppled trees,
grounded power wires, created flooding and left more than 100,000
homes, businesses, schools and other public and community facilities
without power and communications in the bitter cold. The devastation
was so severe that six counties were declared a Federal disaster area.
The New York State Division of Military and Naval Affairs' immediate
National Guard response and continuous coordination with the Army's
active 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry) provided full coverage
of the disaster area throughout the crisis. Thousands of men and women
from the New York Army National Guard, Air National Guard, New York
Guard and Naval Militia, and 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry)
were committed to the emergency.
The 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry) and New York State
military forces worked tirelessly to bring needed help to North Country
residents. Most people were without heat, water and other basic
necessities, some for days, others for weeks. Military personnel
delivered generators to homes, shelters and businesses crucial to
Northern New York and went door-to-door checking on the well-being and
health of residents and bringing food and water. For many, their round-
the-clock efforts, in conjunction with that of thousands of local
volunteers and county emergency management personnel, and the Fort Drum
civilian workforce, meant the difference between life and death.
I am proud and honored to have as neighbors such fine men and women
serving New York State and our Nation. Throughout the crisis, the North
Country witnessed first-hand the high caliber and professionalism of
our military personnel. We owe them a debt of gratitude for all that
they do and all that they have done. I am pleased to have this
opportunity to extend my most sincere thanks to them for making a
difference under dire circumstances.
Mr. Speaker, I would also like to share with you the following
letters from two of my constituents, Sanford Jones of Black River and
Martha Hartle of Potsdam, addressed to Major General Lawson Magruder,
Commander of the 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry) and Fort Drum.
These two letters are illustrative of scores of tributes which have
been sent to him, the New York National Guard, local newspapers and my
office.
Potsdam, NY, January 19, 1997.
Maj. Gen. Lawson W. Magruder, III
Secretary of General Staff, Fort Drum, NY.
Dear Sir: As coordinator of disaster medical services at
the Maxcy Hall Shelter in Potsdam during Ice Storm '98, I am
writing to thank you and your Fort Drum troops who came to
help us out at the shelter. The first few days of the storm
offered several challenges that were frightening, to say the
least. And then, in came the Fort Drum people. My sense of
relief and that of my fellow volunteers can not be overstated
when we realized that help had arrived in the guise of
military uniforms.
I want to specifically commend the actions of Sergeant John
Ott, Lieutenant Cathleen Shultz and Chaplain Swain who
continually offered administrative support and skilled
medical assistance to me and the volunteers, as well as
emotional and personal care support to our elderly. Without
them, I am certain that the services we offered at the
shelter would have been substantially diminished.
Sergeant Ott served as my administrative support and never
wavered in his duty. He was always respectful and quick to
offer knowledgeable and helpful advice. He taught me a lot
about delegating and yet never
[[Page E203]]
flinched at any duty I asked him to address. When the troops
arrived, John offered to set up a duty schedule for me and he
did a fantastic job. We were all tired, and his schedule
provided each of us some much needed rest. He is a soldier of
whom you can be proud. I will never forget his friendly smile
and warm good humor during such a difficult time.
Lieutenant Shultz was my right-hand medical person. She
dealt with several medical situations that would normally be
less challenging, and she responded well. She always kept her
sense of humor and helped to keep our perspective. She dealt
well with the young, the old, and the medically compromised.
Her calm and efficient care provided our folks the sense of
security was needed during this tremendously difficult time.
Chaplain Swain was also the perfect person for our shelter.
I had made it clear that we must do everything we could for
our seniors who were distressed by leaving their home.
Chaplain Swain fell right into that role and spent countless
hours listening, talking, hugging, and praying with our
``guests.'' When a recently recovering alcoholic requested a
bible, knew just the person for the job--Chaplain Swain. His
kind, calm demeanor was heart warming to me when I had an
extra minute to observe his interactions with our people. The
Chaplain also spent time lifting patients, personal
assistance with bathroom and other personal details, and
helped feed those needing assistance.
Sir, this ice storm has provided the perfect opportunity
for North County people to experience first hand the
remarkable assets provided by our military and enjoyed by our
Country. Ott, and Swain are three names that stand out in my
mind, but be assured that every soldier who arrived at the
Maxcy Hall Shelter in Potsdam spent days demonstrating to us
that they are caring, loyal, and unselfish people.
Sincerely,
Martha E. Hartle.
____
Black River United
Methodist Church,
Black River, NY, January 20, 1998.
Maj. Gen Lawson W. Magruder III
Commanding General, Fort Drum, NY.
Dear General Magruder: I have always had a lot of respect
and admiration for the United States Army and what it has
done to establish and preserve our democracy and our American
way of life. These feelings were reinforced by what has
happened in the past two weeks in the little village of Black
River and other communities in the North Country where Fort
Drum is our neighbor.
The ``1998 ICE STORM'' struck this area January 7th,
causing widespread and terrible damage and devastation,
knocking out electrical power, telephones and communications,
as well as very serious flooding along the Black River. After
the initial shock and disbelief, almost every element of
government, private industry, homeowners, apartment
dwellers--even our children and grandchildren--our schools,
law enforcement agencies, farmers and officials--our schools,
law enforcement agencies, farmers and officials--set about to
do whatever was necessary to recover from this evidence of
Mother Nature's fury. Telephone and utility crews rushed to
our aid from all over New York State and from other states as
well--Pennsylvania, Ohio, Massachusetts, Virginia,--even
Hawaii!! State Police arrived from such places as her
Herkimer, Syracuse and points beyond.
Shelters were set up in schools, fire halls, churches and
other locations, both public and private--so cold and hungry
families and individuals could come for a hot meal and a warm
bed. Representatives came from FEMA, HUD, The Red Cross, the
Salvation Army, and every other agency or private group that
might to able to render help in the face of the disaster.
The first shelter set up in the Village of Black River was
up to Leray Street at the St. Paul's Catholic Church. That
site was soon filled to capacity, and we were asked to
provide a 2nd shelter at the Black River United Methodist
Church on S. Main Street. Blankets and cots arrived, but we
became mostly responsible for providing hot meals for
families and storm recovery teams. Kerosene and food was
being distributed to those in need at the Black River
Elementary School on a daily basis, and your soldiers were
very much in evidence helping out with those services.
Hundreds of area residents came to avail themselves of this
assistance.
The Army brought in and hooked up a trailer-mounted
generator so we could have heat and lights in the church.
Volunteers came to help prepare the food, and these
volunteers included Jefferson County Court Judge Lee Clary
and his wife, Shirley, members of our church, Joyce
Birchenough from the Catholic Church, Beth Stiefel, a former
resident and member of St. John's Episcopal Church, and two
soldiers from DivArty, Christopher O'Brien and Jennifer
Haeffner.
On different days, we provided meat loaf and turkey
dinners, chili, hot soups, sloppy joes, marcaroni and cheese,
canned fruit and cookies, donuts and oceans of not coffee. We
served anywhere from 25 lunches to over 100 lunches each day
for eight days. The power company crews came. Also deputy
sheriffs, State Troopers, and other men and women struggling
to return our village to a semblance of normalcy.
I was never more proud of the U.S. Army than I was the day
Capt. Michael Gabel brought large numbers of BDU-clad
soldiers with green fluorescent sashes into town to help
clear the tree branches and storm debris from our streets. I
also got to meet two other officers working with him, Capt.
Ronald Leggett and 2nd Lt. Michael Brown. Anyway, it was like
a well-planned attack during wartime, groups were assigned to
certain streets and, as one street was cleared, they moved on
to another one. Their deportment was admirable and their mood
was one of the good cheer and helpfulness. When they came to
the church for lunch each day, they were all courteous and
well-behaved, and seemed glad to be doing something very
worthwhile for their citizens.
They came to our shelter to warm themselves, rest a bit,
sit down and enjoy a hot cup of coffee, soup and a well-
deserved meal. Their morale was as high as I've seen amongst
soldiers anywhere.
Their efforts continued for several days. Today is Tuesday,
January 20th, and we expect at least 50 soldiers for lunch
today. They're still here, and giving their best effort. When
they're done, we'll miss them. They lightened our load
considerably, and we are grateful for their kindness, their
concern, and their cheerful and willing attitude--and for all
the work they're done!
I believe these men were all from Division Artillery units,
and we are somewhat familiar with Col. Robert Reese and some
of his men, who have supported us in the past on patriotic
holidays, such as Flag Day and Veterans Day.
Your Public Affairs Officer, B.D. Murphy, dropped by to
visit, and the 10th Mountain Band came in to play for us one
noon hour. And Chaplain Scottie Lloyd and his assistant
dropped in on several occasions to offer their support and
assistance.
God Bless You, General, for making all this possible, and
please convey our sincere gratitude to Capts. Gabel and
Leggett, Lt. Brown, the NCO's and enlisted men who all
understood our critical situation and came to help us find
our way back out of it.
Sincerely and With Gratitude,
Sanford L. Jones,
The B.R.U.M.C. Shelter.
____________________