Town to teach soldiers to govern

HENDERSON — The small-town atmosphere in Henderson is part of the lure for Fort Drum soldiers who will count on local officials to teach them how to run a town.

The 4th Battalion, 25th Field Artillery Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team will team up with the town to gain experience the unit can take with it to Afghanistan when it deploys in the spring.

"We do a lot of things well," said Lt. Col. Christopher Taylor, artillery commander. "We fire our weapons really well, we can run logistical convoys really well. What we don't have a strong background on is how to run a town."

The local involvement is part of a program to help soldiers, who are responsible for towns in Afghanistan similar in size to Henderson, to learn about passing local ordinances, running a court and setting up infrastructure.

"That's what we'd like to get from you guys and in return we can help you with career days at school, parades, anything like that," Lt. Col. Taylor said. "You just can't ask the soldiers to come down and mow the lawn or anything like that."

The Town Council agreed it would be beneficial to both community members and soldiers and welcomed participation in the program.

"I personally would like to work with these folks," Supervisor Raymond A. Walker said. "It's a way to introduce Fort Drum folks to Henderson, and we're proud of these people. We can make them feel at home here."

Board members asked whether soldiers could help out with the summer recreation program, or become pen pals with Belleville Henderson Central School students during their deployments, ideas Lt. Col. Taylor said should be no problem.

The brigade has six units and the officer said he is hoping to find other small towns willing to host one.

"This town suits me to a T," he said. "It's not too big; it's not too small. It's small-town atmosphere and good folks down here. The all-American value really shines through."