He was wearing an unfamiliar uniform, a navy blue suit and red tie, but retired Lt. Gen. James L. Campbell still was able to command the room Thursday at the Elks Lodge on Bradley Street.

The former commander of the 10th Mountain Division and Fort Drum had returned to address the Northern New York-Fort Drum Chapter of the Association of the United States Army.

Appearing as the guest speaker at the AUSA's Corporate Appreciation Reception, Gen. Campbell delivered a speech that was equal parts comic, as when he touched on his recent retirement, and poignant, when he reflected on soldiers and the ongoing conflict.

"In this global war, we all have a role to play," he told a room full of local business and military leaders. "In my eyes, corporate sponsors are serving our country in such a way you can't put a price tag on it."

Gen. Campbell went on to describe his deep, long-lasting affection for the 10th Mountain Division, which made him stop soldiers in airports to thank them when he recognized their uniform patch.

"The reason I'm standing here is because of the soldiers and families in this incredible outfit," he said.

Turning to his recent retirement, Gen. Campbell's speech took a turn for the lighthearted. He recounted his indecision over whether to keep poncho liners, which he called "a really cool piece of kit," and mementos from his three decades of service.

Standing at his closet, Gen. Campbell recalled saying to himself, "What am I going to do with all these uniforms?"

To which he said his wife replied, "You better keep at least one to be buried in."

Gen. Campbell also recalled his trip to a spring training session with the Atlanta Braves. Believing he had finally become an anonymous spectator, Gen. Campbell said he was startled when a representative from the team appeared to present him with a signed bat.

"I did not want to come back from spring training," he said.

Later, Gen. Campbell said he has been hired by MPRI, a training, simulation and government services company in Alexandria, Va.

But Gen. Campbell's speech was most moving when he returned, again and again, to the subject of soldiers and the struggles they were facing. He remembered the apathy of fellow airport travelers when the news turned from the troubles of then-governor Eliot L. Spitzer to Iraq.

"That moment captured for me the major concern I have with our great, great country," he said, adding that after five years, war casualties had almost become a fact of daily life.

Gen. Campbell then spoke of Lt. Col. Greg Gadson, who lost both his legs to an improvised explosive device while serving in Iraq. Col. Gadson once had served as Gen. Campbell's aide, so the two kept in touch during the former's recovery.

One day, Gen. Campbell received a call that, he said, had an emotional impact on par with his wedding vows or the birth of his son.

"He said, 'Sir, I know you're busy, and I'm so sorry to bother you, but I had to tell you I walked today.' I will remember that for the rest of my life," said. Gen. Campbell. "Young soldiers at this moment are looking evil in the eye and they are not blinking."

Noting that the Army had been "stretched" by the ongoing conflicts, but not broken, Gen. Campbell said the military and the nation had to figure out how best to care for wounded soldiers, support families of those who had died and show military families that they counted.

"No one does it better than the citizens of this great community," he said. "I am so proud of you for making a stand for our soldiers."