[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.

     

                          ____________________