FORT DRUM --
As the war in Afghanistan enters its 10th year, the 10th Mountain Division continues to send thousands of troops to the fight. The division has had twenty major deployments since 2001 and is one of the most deployed units in the U.S. Army. The constant deployments are starting to take a toll on 10th Mountain Soldiers. PFC Sasha Gridley deploys to Afghanistan in October and is is worried about leaving her children.
"I'm a single parent and I have two small children. So it is really hard on us for deployment. My children don't understand why I'm leaving," she says.
President Obama is expected to announce a phased withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan with roughly 10,000 soldiers coming home this year. Military spouses like Elizabeth Cornell say they're glad to hear the multiple deployments of 10th Mountain Division soldiers could soon be coming to an end.
"We've been at war a long time this is our second deployment together so we're excited to see that we are going to be moving on."
President Obama is scheduled to arrive in Watertown Thursday afternoon. In addition to 10th Mountain Division Troops, the president is also scheduled to speak to the families of soldiers who have been killed in action.
