Stefanik invites Trump to visit Drum

“Under your leadership, the United States has made significant strides in strengthening our fighting force, rebuilding military readiness and investing in our service members and their families,” Ms. Stefanik said.

The congresswoman’s letter pointed out the 10th Mountain Division’s service in Afghanistan and Iraq since 2001 and that multiple presidents have visited Fort Drum since that time.

“Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama both made visits to the installation within the first term of their presidencies,” Ms. Stefanik’s letter said. “Your visit would continue this great legacy of support for our brave men and women in uniform at Fort Drum.”

President George W. Bush visited Fort Drum in 2002 and President Barack H. Obama visited the post in 2011.

A visit by President Trump to the north country would be his first to the region since April 2016, when he stopped at the Watertown International Airport while campaigning for the presidency.

At that time, the then-candidate expressed his support for the soldiers at Fort Drum:

“Watertown is home to Fort Drum. That’s a great place.” President Trump said. “I love Fort Drum. I love the military. The military likes Trump.”

The candidate also pledged to make the military “bigger, better and stronger than ever before,” and provide more support for veterans.

Fort Drum also has a major impact to the north country’s economy. Army statistics said the post’s direct impact was $1.222 billion during the 2017 fiscal year.