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HONORING COMMAND SERGEANT MAJOR GRETCHEN EVANS
______
HON. CHELLIE PINGREE
of maine
in the house of representatives
Wednesday, July 27, 2022
Ms. PINGREE. Madam Speaker, today, I rise to recognize a courageous veteran, a resilient leader, and a selfless Mainer. Command Sergeant Major Gretchen Evans of Brunswick, Maine is one of the most decorated female veterans in American history serving in the United States Army for 27 years. Since enlisting at age 19, CMS Evans has served in tours of Kosovo, Bosnia, Somalia, Iraq, and Afghanistan, where she responsible for more than 30,000 ground troops. Ms. Evans' honorable dedication to defending our country earned her the position of Command Sergeant Major, the highest non-commissioned officer rank in the military.
In 2006, Command Sergeant Major Evans survived a barrage of mortar fire in Afghanistan which rendered her deaf and wounded. After her combat injury, she quickly found renewed vitality by learning to lip read, forging relationships with her ``hearing dogs,'' Aura and Rusty, and by proactively reaching out to fellow veterans with similar lived experience.
Today, in Maine, CMS Evans continues to give back as an active fundraiser and ambassador for local nonprofits which provide support services to disabled veterans and which seek to prevent veteran-
experienced social isolation and depression. Additionally, CMS Evans is a distinguished public speaker who advocates for the importance of leadership, perseverance, and teamwork, as a part of ``Women Veterans Speak,'' a national speaker's bureau.
When she is not inspiring others to serve, CMS Evans pursues her passion for extreme sports, running 40 marathons. CMS Evans also led UNBROKEN, the first all-mixed abilities team to complete in ``The World's Toughest Race,'' a 670-kilometer, week-long endurance race held in Fiji. This achievement recently earned her the Pat Tillman Award for Service at the 2022 ESPYs, which honors individuals with both strong connections to sports and community leadership. This fall, CMS Evans will also be inducted into the U.S. Veteran's Hall of Fame in recognition for her outstanding meritorious service to our country.
I thank Command Sergeant Major Gretchen Evans, for her selfless acts of duty to keep this Nation safe. The people of Maine are incredibly lucky to have her as an advocate, a leader, and a community member. I wish CMS Evans the very best and I look forward to seeing her continue to thrive.
____________________
SOURCE: Congressional Record Vol. 168, No. 125(1), Congressional Record Vol. 168, No. 125(2)
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