Fort Drum’s CIE highlights holiday events, winter readiness, family support services

FORT DRUM, N.Y. (Nov. 4, 2026) -- Fort Drum community members gathered inside The Peak ballroom Nov. 4 for the monthly Community Information Exchange to learn about upcoming seasonal events, winter readiness programs, gate schedule changes and support resources.

Brig. Gen. Joseph Ewers, 10th Mountain Division (LI) and Fort Drum commanding general, said he was pleased to see company-level leaders and spouses in attendance, and asked them to relay the information to their formations and their families.

“This Community Information Exchange is a resource that ultimately informs and prepares those leaders who are going to be doing that final engagement – that final hundred yards, as they say – with our families,” he said. “We owe it to them to set the conditions for their self-reliance; that we don’t just point at them and say, ‘Be self-reliant. Be resilient.’ What are we doing to enable that resiliency? It starts with information.”

Ewers said that a key component to a great unit is having informed families, which is something he aspires to continue within the 10th Mountain Division (LI).

“Informed families start here,” he said. “We are here as their representatives. This is where the information begins. It ends at the families.”

Holiday Gate Closures

The Directorate of Emergency Services provided updates on installation access and community safety. Due to ongoing construction, the Gas Alley access control point remains closed. The Lt. Gen. Paul Cerjan access control point and the Wheeler-Sack Army Airfield access control point continue 24/7 operations.

The Plummer Gate will observe the following holiday closure schedule:

• Thanksgiving Weekend: Closes at 10 p.m. Nov. 25, and reopens at 4:30 a.m. Nov. 30.
• Christmas / New Year Block Leave: Closes at 10 p.m. Dec. 19 and reopens at 5:30 a.m. Jan. 3.

Fort Drum DES is partnering with the New York State Police to host a free Child Safety Seat Installation and Inspection event starting at 10 a.m. on Nov. 21, at Fire Station 2, Bldg. 1585 on Ontario Avenue. Drivers can pull directly through the fire station bay doors in a dedicated inspection lane to have car seats inspected or properly installed.

With peak holiday shipping underway, DES advised residents to protect deliveries from porch theft by:

• Using secure drop-off lockers, counters, or local carrier pickup sites (such as UPS or FedEx Office locations).
• Enabling delivery alerts and text notifications to retrieve packages immediately upon drop-off.
• Placing carrier holds or scheduling deliveries for times when someone is home; avoiding leaving boxes unattended overnight.

To help residents navigate the weather conditions ahead, the Fort Drum Safety Office hosts a Winter Driving Course on select Tuesdays, from 2 to 3 p.m. and 5 to 6 p.m. in Bldg. 4884 on Jones Street. The Snowblower Operation course is held on alternating schedules from 3:15 to 4 p.m. and 6:15 to 7 p.m.

Class size is limited to 12 participants per session, and reservations can be made by calling 315-772-0310. Class dates can be found on the My Army Post App (MAPA). The Safety Office also offers a “train the trainer” class by unit request.

Ewers charged leaders to identify new Soldiers in their units who’ve never experienced winter weather before.

“Let’s not make this a resource that’s out there, and hope (Soldiers) get to it,” Ewers said. “Let’s identify who needs it, and then guide them to that resource.”

The Fort Drum Directorate of Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation announced an extensive slate of holiday community events and recreation opportunities to include:

• Bowl for Turkeys: Pine Plains Bowling Center will host Turkey Giveaway drawings from 5 to 7 p.m. Nov. 5-7, Nov. 12-14, and Nov. 19-21. Bowlers who roll a strike can also earn a free 7-inch one-topping pizza (limit one per person).
• Cozy Igloo Nights at The Peak: Private 75-minute reservations for up to six people inside heated, illuminated outdoor igloos opening Nov. 9. Packages include shareables, dessert samplers, and beverages. For reservations, call 315-772-6222.
• “Home for the Holidays” Thanksgiving Dinner: A free community Thanksgiving meal will be served from 1 to 4 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 26, inside The Peak. Active-duty service members, Department of the Army civilians, retirees, veterans, and their families are welcome.
• Annual Tree Lighting and Holiday Celebration: Ring in the winter season with the holiday tree lighting and family activities at 6 p.m. Dec. 4 at The Peak.

The U.S. Army Medical Department Activity-Fort Drum reminded beneficiaries that TRICARE Open Season is underway. Beneficiaries enrolled in TRICARE Prime or TRICARE Select can make plan changes for the upcoming calendar year, with changes taking effect Jan. 1.

For assistance or regional enrollment support, contact Humana Military (East Region) at (800) 444-5445 or visit http://www.tricare.mil/east.

Beneficiaries can also access appointment scheduling, secure messaging, and lab results via the MHS GENESIS Patient Portal, or use remote check-in for the Guthrie Clinic pharmacy by texting “Get in line” to 833-564-4369.

What Fort Drum families need to know

• Army Community Service announced that the Family Advocacy Program (FAP), Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP), and New Parent Support Program (NPSP) are transitioning offices to the main ACS facility, Bldg. 11042 on Mount Belvedere Boulevard throughout November.
• The next Parent Advisory Board meeting is scheduled from 11:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. Jan. 21 at the Youth Center, Bldg. 10788 on Chapel Drive. Attending parents earn participation points toward CYS childcare discounts.
• The Youth Center on Chapel Drive offers free enrollment for students in grades 6–12, interested in STEM Club sessions (Nov. 5, 12, and 19 from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m.) and All-Star Indoor Softball (Nov. 6, 13, and 20 from 4 to 5 p.m.).
• Free enrollment is available for children, between 6 and 18, to participate in the Presidential Fitness Test on Dec. 4 at the CYS Youth Sports and Fitness Center, Bldg. 10790 Chapel Drive. For more information, call 315-772-6718 or visit the center.
• Transitioning families moving in or out of Fort Drum can borrow kitchen essentials, cookware, dishes, small appliances, and folding tables and chairs at the Army Community Service’s Lending Closet, Bldg. 11042 on Mount Belvedere Blvd.

And in other news

• The Transition Assistance Program will host a Career Fair from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Nov. 5 at The Peak, connecting transitioning service members and spouses with more than 90 local and national employers.
• Soldiers and family members can register through the Transition Assistance Program to attend a new “Getting Started in Cybersecurity and AI for Transitioning Veterans” class, in person or virtual. Class dates are 9 a.m. Nov. 19 and Dec. 17 in Clark Hall. To register, call 315-772-3434.
• The American Red Cross is hosting a blood drive from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Nov. 13 at Guthrie Army Health Clinic; from noon to 5 p.m. Dec. 1 at the Fort Drum USO; and from noon to 5 p.m. Dec. 7 at the BOSS Center. Appointments can be made at http://www.redcrossblood.org. Units can sponsor a command blood drive by calling 315-317-9379 or 315-518-9982, or email mailto:katie.loffert@redcross.org.

The last Community Information Exchange of 2026 is scheduled Dec. 2, inside The Peak and livestreamed on https://www.facebook.com/drum.10thmountain/. The CIE slides are available at https://drum.armymwr.com/programs/community-and-special-event-information.

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