Watertown, NY, Aug 24, 2012 — A memorial service was held at Fort Drum Thursday afternoon to remember the lives of two 10th Mountain Division soldiers killed in Afghanistan.

24-year old Sergeant Jose Reyes, of San Lorenzo, Puerto Rico, and 28-year old Staff Sergeant Daniel Rodriguez of Baltimore, Md., were killed July 18 when their vehicle was struck by an improvised explosive device. The two were heavy-vehicle drivers.

Staff Sargeant Raffinee Adams praised Staff Sgt. Rodriguez for his leadership and compassion for his fellow soldiers. His wife attended the service, joined by their three children. Sergeant Reyes' wife also attended with their two children.  Go to full article

Wilmington, NY, Aug 23, 2012 — A high-ranking officer with the Army's 10th Mountain Division says the U.S. has made significant progress in its war in Afghanistan.

Brig. Gen. Richard D. Clark spoke about the war in Afghanistan during a ceremony at Whiteface Mountain last week. He says soldiers and their families have weathered difficult circumstances since the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, but those sacrifices have made a difference.  Go to full article

Fort Drum, NY, Aug 07, 2012 — Governor Andrew Cuomo was at Fort Drum yesterday, where he toured an idled coal plant that is being converted to produce power using wood biomass. He met with the press afterward. As Joanna Richards reports, the governor announced he would send a letter to Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta urging the Defense Department to draw up a contract with the plant to provide energy to Fort Drum.  Go to full article

Fort Drum, NY, Aug 02, 2012 — The end of a division-wide training exercise at Fort Drum is expected to cause major traffic delays near the post today through Friday.

Route 26 between Route 3 and Route 11 will be full of military traffic through the end of the week as the 10,000 soldiers who took part in the Mountain Peak training exercises return from the field.

Drivers are advised to avoid the area if possible, as longer-than-usual delays are expected at stop signs and traffic lights. The exercises began July 23.  Go to full article

Carthage, NY, Aug 01, 2012 — The remains of a Fort Drum soldier killed in Afghanistan July 18 returned to the home of the 10th Mountain Division Sunday.

At 28 years old, Staff Sergeant Daniel Rodriguez had a wife and three children, and four combat tours under his belt after 10 years of service in the Army. Rodriguez grew up in New York City, but friends and family said he wanted to be buried in the North Country, in tribute to his time with the 10th Mountain Division. His funeral was held yesterday in Carthage, in Jefferson County.

As Joanna Richards reports, Rodriguez will be remembered for his humor, the love he had for his family, and the commitment he had to his military career.  Go to full article

Watertown, NY, Jul 31, 2012 — Two Fort Drum Soldiers were killed this Saturday in Afghanistan. The two soldiers died of wounds sustained when their unit was attacked by small arms fire.

Sergeant First Class Bobby L. Estle was from Lebanon Ohio, and was 38 years old. He was a combat engineer who'd joined the Army in March 1993. Estle is survived by his wife, three children, mother and stepfather.

Private First Class Jose O. Belmontes of LaVerne, Canlifornia, was also killed. He was 28 and a construction engineer. Belmontes joined the army in February of last year. He's survived by his wife, mother and father.  Go to full article

Lake Placid, NY, Jul 30, 2012 — A 16-year-old from the Troy area helped bring a group of more than 60 people, including Armed Services veterans and their families, to Lake Placid last week to tour Olympic sites and dine at the local American Legion hall.

Matt Murray, of Brunswick, is a junior at Tamarac High School and a member of Boy Scouts of America Troop 537. The Lake Placid trip was part of his Eagle Scout project, which he hopes to complete soon. Chris Morris caught up with the group and has our story.  Go to full article

Keene Valley, NY, Jun 15, 2012 — It was 50 years ago this past January when a U.S. Air Force B-47 bomber crashed into Wright Peak in the Adirondacks, killing its four-man crew. A plaque at the open summit bears the names of the victims, and pieces of wreckage still can be seen. It's a stopping point for hikers.

Earlier this month, family members of one of the four servicemen who died that day made the three-and-a-half mile hike to mark the anniversary. Chris Knight joined them for what proved to be a strenuous, and emotional, journey.  Go to full article

Saranac Lake, NY, Jun 13, 2012 — A foundation headed by Doonesbury cartoonist Garry Trudeau is helping jumpstart a proposed respite center for veterans in Trudeau's hometown of Saranac Lake. Trudeau has secured $125,000 to help Homeward Bound Adirondacks purchase a home in the village that was once owned by Trudeau's grandfather. The nonprofit plans to use the site to provide reintegration programs for soldiers and their families.

Organizers described the project as an important step forward in a more-than-two-year effort to make Saranac Lake a center for veteran healing.  Go to full article

Syracuse, NY, May 15, 2012 — New York's senators are looking to reduce unemployment among recently retired veterans. They unveiled three new bills at a joint press conference Monday. The Innovation Trail's Ryan Delaney reports.  Go to full article