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Vietnam veterans take a trip to Mountainfest submitted By Michael P. Hart
V
ietnam veterans and Vietnam era veterans were treated like royalty during their trip to Fort Drum’s Mountainfest. After three months of fundraising and coordination with 10th Mountain Division personnel the trip to the North Country was a resounding success, simply by measuring the smiles on the veterans faces and the willingness to sign up for the trip next year; even though one has not yet been planned. After listening to a safety brief, taking roll call, and conducting a head count we departed northward on June 26 at 9 a.m. sharp. Twentynine bodies and three pieces of rolling stock convoyed up interstate 81 to Fort Drum, which is the home of the 10th Mountain Division and theirsignaturecarnivaldubbed“Mountainfest.” The trip was centered around Mountainfest, but a couple of extra stops were added to the plan. The work that goes into planning a trip like this is extensive and time consuming when you’re dealing with a federal agency such as the Department of the Army due to the stringent security measures used when accessing the Fort Drum installation. Our first hurdle was gate access, which had us turning in everyone’s name and getting pre-screened prior to our arrival so that time and aggravation at the main gate to the installation would be minimized. After getting checked by the security guards led by CPT Maybrie, who is also a veteran, the convoy was granted access to the post. Our first stop was at the famed 10th Mountain Division monument where the cost of war sits, abundantly clear to all those who take the time to witness the numerous placards with service members’ names etched in copper plates adorning the landscape surrounding the division monument. It was here that I witnessed the names of the soldiers I had remembered from my time in Iraq with Second Brigade Commandos, with their names forever carved in the plaque memorializing the times from 2006 to 2008. After giving the veterans time to soak up the reverence of the moment we were greeted by Julie Halprin, of the public affairs office, a civilian level supervisor who welcomed us to the military post and later introduced us to the garrison sergeant major who gave every veteran in attendance a military coin of excellence and stayed long enough to talk briefly to all of us, thanking us for our service to the nation. After departing the monument our next stop was at the Second Brigade “Commandos” Dining Facility, where the veterans got a literal taste of what the soldiers eat on a daily basis. The allure of a veteran going back into a military dining facility, aka chow hall, gives them a sense of how far the military has come in taking care of service members and remembering the line one must wait in while getting closer to the main food area. Some Fort Drum soldiers made it a point to stop and say “thanks for your service” and “welcome home” to these Vietnam veterans, which meant a great deal to them. Our last stop was at Division Hill, an area on the old post which is designated to host all things related to Mountainfest. After contacting Ben Masek, an old Army buddy who is now the federal police training officer at the provost marshalls office, aka
Submitted photos
Vietnam veterans and Vietnam era veterans visited the 10th Mountain Division monument during their trip to Fort Drum’s Mountainfest. Dave Leeson, Yankee Company, MCB-12 Construction Battalion, Seabees 68-69, is pictured eating chow at the Second BDE dining facility. police station, we were guided in to our parking spot, which afforded us a little more room than normal to set up a break area outside the bus for the veterans to relax while enjoying the long afternoon at the carnival. The veterans were released in buddy teams to walk around the event, taking care of one another while checking out the latest weaponry and vehicles the Army had to offer. After collecting free merchandise from multiple vendors at the carnival it was time to take a break back at the bus where veterans were able to taste a little bit of home with donations from the famed Heid’s hotdog stand in Liverpool. Pat Winslow, a retired command sergeant major, is the manager at Heid’s of Liverpool. He graciously gave us enough hotdogs, buns and their signature brown mustard to fill every veteran’s belly while at Mountainfest. The culmination event dubbed “Salute to
the Nation” commenced with the sounding off of every state in the nation followed by a choregraphed display of military power that had everyone on the edge of their seats. Whether it was the machine gun fire from the gun trucks, attacker taken down by K9 or the close up view of an Apache gunship flying overhead, the display put on by the 10th Mountain Division’s Soldiers was second to none! SGT Mark Adams, 199th Infantry Brigade, Third Battalion, Seventh Infantry, a Vietnam veteran stated; “it was a great trip, and all in all a great day!” I would like to give a special thanks to Nick Paro, the town of Salina supervisor, who gave us the support to make this trip happen. I also want to thank our sponsor, Erin Gay, the president of 60 for 60 The Mohawk Run, a non-profit organization who raises
money for all things veteran related. Moreover, I want to give a shout out to the Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association Chapter 19-8 for sponsoring this event. Furthermore, a special thanks goes to Stephen Lockwood from the Syracuse Vet Center for coordinating the service vehicle that accompanied the veterans on this trip. Lastly, I’d like to give a big shout out to Hale Bus Transportation for getting our veterans to Fort Drum and Back safely. The bus driver Justin, a retired soldier, drove impeccably throughout the day, and rendered help to those veterans that needed any assistance during the trip. As they say in the 10th Mountain Division: Climb to Glory! Michael P. Hart, U.S. Army master sergeant – retired, is veterans service outreach coordinator for the town of Salina.
Codes officer: American High violations go back five years By Russ Tarby Contributing writer
Village of Liverpool Codes Officer Bill Reagan issued 25 appearance tickets to American High on July 2, citing the film production facility and academy at 800 Fourth St. for a variety of code violations. The appearance tickets were delivered to American High CEO Jeremy Garelick and his attorney, John J. Marzocchi of the Syracusebased law firm, Germain & Germain. The alleged violations include the operation of diesel-powered generators in June, instances
of late-night film shoots in the neighborhood and various issues related to the condition of the 96-year-old former high-school building that dates back to 1929. Each of the 25 citations could draw fines of $1,000 each, Reagan said. “People say, ‘Give them a chance,’” Reagan said. “Well, we have given them a chance, for five years!” In addition, several outstanding fire code violations are expected to be addressed at American High by July 31, Reagan said. Early this month, American High drew numerous complaints from neighbors as a diesel generator spewed fumes into the air. The film
company was shooting a comedy tentatively called “The Untitled BriTANicK Pizza Movie.” The diesel fuel issue prompted Mayor Stacy Finney to write a lengthy letter to the editor detailing American High’s many code violations since it was established here eight years ago. The mayor specifically criticized film-maker Jeremy Garelick. Last week, after Garelick, his wife and several supporters as well as aggrieved neighbors appeared at the July 16 village board meeting, Finney posted a Facebook message: “Most people applauded holding them accountable – but there were two neighbors that
said they liked them being in the village, and ‘at least they are on the tax roll.’ But, to be very clear, if anyone – even Disney-backed L.A. movie producers that supposedly bring ‘millions’ to Onondaga County with their movies about teenagers having sex (BTW: gross) – violated zoning and code regulations for years on end, [and] they will be held accountable.” Last month Garelick announced that he would run for mayor against Finney in the Nov. 4 election, but he is not presently a resident of the village. Residency would have to be established by Election Day, in order for Garelick to be eligible.
Volume 132, Number 28 The Star-Review is published weekly by Eagle News. Office of Publication: 2501 James St., Suite 108, Syracuse, NY 13206. Periodical Postage Paid at Syracuse, NY 13220, USPS 316060. POSTMASTER: Send change of address to Star-Review, 2501 James St., Suite 108, Syracuse, NY 13206.
environment: Free electronics recycling event planned.
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schools: LHS seniors earn Seals of Biliteracy, Triliteracy.
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