When one thinks of our military, they usually think about the service and protection these individuals provide to our country both foreign and domestic. They think about wars in faraway lands and in the worst cases, conflicts that occur close to home. But when you really examine the impact of our military, they do much more than those surface-level duties. May is Military Appreciation Month, which grants us the opportunity to examine the various impacts our armed forces have on the communities in which they reside.

Our district is home to one of the many military installations across our nation, Fort Drum. On May 2, Albany hosted a delegation of servicemen and women for its annual Fort Drum Day. At this event, those at the Legislative Office Building were able to speak with Fort Drum personnel and learn more about the various exercises that are practiced at the Fort. I was also able to sit down with some of these service members as well as Major General Piatt, and discuss some of the base’s activities.

Fort Drum plays a significant role in the north part of our community, and they are more than just a training center for our army. According to the Fort Drum Regional Liaison Organization, the installation has had an economic impact of over $1 billion dollars, and is responsible for indirectly employing nearly 6,300 individuals in addition to those stationed for military service (25,151 in total). The additional flow of currency in our district, and employment opportunities provided by the Fort are resources our district welcomes and is appreciative of. The location of a military installation in a community is a unique situation, but it has proven to be beneficial for both our residents and the military, and is something I hope continues for the future.

While we should thank our servicemen and women for what they do each time we are presented the opportunity, this month, I encourage residents to make the extra effort to say thank you. The future is always uncertain, filled with twists and turns, and we should appreciate the commitment to our protection by these individuals when the opportunity presents itself. On behalf of the residents of the 117th Assembly District, thank you!

If you have any questions regarding Military Appreciation Month or any other matter, please contact me by emailing blankenbushk@nyassembly.gov or by calling my office at 315-493-3909.