The annual 10th Mountain Division Mountain Fest was held from Monday, 23 June 2025 to Thursday 26 June 2025 on Fort New York. The weeklong event was an opportunity to celebrate our national spirit and strengthen our community ties while recognizing contributions and service.
The 10th Mountain Division Foundation was well represented by the Chairman, Nancy Kramer, Historian, David Little, Director, COL (RET) Michael Coss, and Executive Director, Marc Cleveland.
Members of the 10th Mountain Division Descendants, National Association of the 10th Mountain Division, Living History Display Group, 10th Mountain Alpine Club and National Ski Patrol also attended the event and represented their organization as well!
Highlights of the week include:
The Army University Films premier of “The High Ground – The Legacy of the 10th Mountain Division”. Filmed in frigid upstate New York at Fort Drum and the majestic Colorado Rockies near Camp Hale, “The High Ground” follows Soldiers of the 10th Mountain Division as they attempt to reconnect with their alpine roots by completing a mountain marathon eighty years in the making. The film features footage of Army Soldiers skiing, snowshoeing, climbing, rappelling, and glissading during 10th Mountain Division events including the D-Series, the Hale to Vail Traverse, and Legacy Days. This is available to view on YouTube.
The annual Remembrance Ceremony honoring Gold Star Families and fallen Soldiers at Memorial Park. Major General Scott Naumann, Commanding General of the 10th Mountain Division (LI) and Fort Drum spoke during the ceremony. Retired Brigadier General Mark O’Donnell, a former 1st Brigade Combat Team Commander and 10th Mountain Division Chief of Staff, served as guest speaker at the ceremony. Major General Naumann, Retired Brigadier General O’Donnell, and the Division Command Sergeant Major, Brett Johnson concluded the ceremony with a wreath laying in front of the Military Mountaineer Monument (also known as “Climb to Glory”) while Soldiers placed wreaths in front of 23 memorial plaques.
The Community Partner Luncheon, State of the Division Brief, Warrior Legend Hall of Fame, and Man and Woman of the Mountain Induction Ceremonies informed and celebrated our community. Major General Naumann talked about the Division and answered questions from the audience. Retired Command Sergeant Major Jose Vega was inducted into the Warrior Legend Hall of Fame. Eric Wagenaar, the City Manager for Watertown, was inducted as Man of the Mountain. Patricia Thorton’s surviving husband, Frank Thornton and their daughter, Christine Corrigan accepted Patrica Thorton’s Woman of the Mountain Award.
Patricia “Pat” Finn Thornton began involvement with the 10th Mountain Division in 1986 and subsequently became President of the National Association of the 10th Mountain Division Delaware River Valley Chapter from 1996 to 2014, and President of the Descendant organization 2001 to 2006. She led or co-lead most major initiatives of the descendant organization during the period 2000 to 2014 and was the prime mover in the early 1990’s of the initiative to establish a national descendant organization. Patricia was the inspiration for the creation and sustainment of the 10th Mountain Descendants organization which provided not only Gold Star family members a means to honor the legacy of their fathers but all the other family members of WWII 10th Mountain Division Soldiers. Patricia passed away in August 2014.
The 10th Mountain Division Living History Display Group set up on Division Hill. The group collaborated with the 10th Mountain Division and Fort Drum Museum to display World War II and modern-day artifacts side-by-side. Hundreds of visitors were able to interact with the equipment, ask questions of the group, and have their picture taken with the display.
We look forward to the next annual Mountain Fest and hope to see more people return to Fort Drum to celebrate with our community!
Event report written by Marc Cleveland
