Video, Audio, Photos & Rush Transcript: Governor Hochul Delivers Virtual Remarks to Service Members at Fort Drum

Earlier this afternoon, Governor Kathy Hochul delivered virtual remarks to service members at Fort Drum.

VIDEO of the Governor's remarks is available on YouTube here and in TV quality (h.264, mp4) format here.

AUDIO is available here.

PHOTOS are available on the Governor's Flickr page.

A rush transcript of the Governor's remarks is available below:

It's a privilege to at least speak through this means, but I'm so disappointed. We are experiencing an ice storm in Albany, I'm trapped. I'm trapped here. I have been checking literally every hour up until the last 45 minutes saying, are we sure we can't get out? Cause I know nothing would stop the men and women I'm speaking to, if they had to get out, they would but I clearly don't have the same ability.

But I would have loved to been there in person to literally shake your hands, look into your eyes, and express the gratitude of not just all New Yorkers, your New York family, but of all Americans. Knowing that this is incredibly disruptive. All of you thought you were going to go out with your regular lives.

And some of you have spouses and children who count on you being there and you have a normal life. But listen, this is what is so powerful about knowing that you are willing, as the Major said to drop everything, respond to that call when your country needs you and to really be that beacon of democracy and hope to the rest of the world that when American troops show up, that is a statement.

That is a statement of our priorities of who we're standing with and our allies. So your physical presence, being willing to leave the security of your homes, going across the world, literally with no notice, is an extraordinary statement of your patriotism as well. And as someone who served in Congress as a member of the House Armed Services Committee, I had the opportunity to spend a tremendous amount of time with our troops in Afghanistan, going to many bases.

So I know many of you, this is not your first deployment. You've been called up before, and you are so willing. You are the 1%, 1% of Americans are willing to enlist, join the military and all the, all the different branches put on that uniform and say, I represent America, its values and the American flag.

And so I am so grateful. I am humbled to have a chance to speak to you and to your families. We will pray for your safe return and know that your family has been well taken care of. You're all part of a great family at Fort Drum. I've been there many times and I've been to deployments. But the best part is that I often can be there to welcome you back home.

And I want all of you to come home safely and know that we will sleep better on the security of the blanket of freedom that you give us by your willingness to do what you do. So, thank you. We are proud of you, humbled by your willingness to go out there in harm's way. And I'm so proud to be your governor - those of you who are new Yorkers, and if you're not from New York, you're honorary new Yorkers, but above all, you are Americans.

So God bless you, God bless America, and please be safe.