State Senator Patty Ritchie was in attendance for the Change of Command Ceremony at Ft. Drum Thursday to welcome the incoming Commanding General, Major General Walter Piatt.

Major General Piatt is no stranger to Ft. Drum, as he has served in a number of roles within the 10th Mountain Division, including acting as the division’s Deputy Commander.  At the ceremony, Senator Ritchie also thanked the outgoing Commanding General, Major General Jeffery Bannister, who has overseen the division since 2015.

(Attn. photo editors: Senator Ritchie is joined in the above photo by Major General Piatt, his wife Cynthia and their two children Jessica and Joshua, who are graduates of Carthage Central School)