[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 52 (Tuesday, May 2, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E600]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              TRIBUTE TO COMMAND SGT. MAJ. DAVID B. RABON

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. ROBERT A. UNDERWOOD

                                of guam

                    in the house of representatives

                          Tuesday, May 2, 2000

  Mr. UNDERWOOD. Mr. Speaker, the Creed of the Noncommissioned Officer 
says, in part, ``I will strive to remain tactically and technically 
proficient. I am aware of my role as a Noncommissioned officer. I will 
fulfill my responsibilities inherent in that role. All soldiers are 
entitled to outstanding leadership; I will provide that leadership. I 
know my soldiers and will always place their needs above my own . . .'' 
These words certainly seem to be the sentiments of the many men and 
women of my home island who have distinguished themselves in all 
branches of military service. Indeed, military men from Guam have won 
praises for their loyalty, their patriotism, their commitment to duty, 
and their dedication to the mission for more than 300 years.
  In the 17th century, when the Spaniards recruited men from Guam as 
sailors in the Spanish fleet; in World Wars I and II, when the American 
military worked shoulder to shoulder with Guamanians both as civilian 
volunteers and uniformed personnel; in the Korean war and the Vietnam 
conflict; in other conflicts with American involvement since then; and 
most recently, in the Persian Gulf war, the record established and 
maintained by military men and women from Guam is a long and very proud 
one. This continues today.
  As we enter the new millennium, another son of Guam is carrying on 
the tradition. It gives me great pride to say that the new commandant 
of the U.S. Army Aviation Center Noncommissioned Officer Academy at 
Fort Rucker, AL, is Command Sgt. Maj. David B. Rabon, the son of Jesus 
Bontugan and Rosa Benavente Rabon. Born in my home village of Sinajana 
on August 15, 1949, Sergeant Major Rabon enlisted in the U.S. Army in 
1972, attended basic training at Fort Ord, CA, and advanced individual 
training [AIT] at Aberdeen Proving Grounds, MD, graduating from the AIT 
as an aircraft fire control repairman. In the 27 years he has spent in 
the Army, Sergeant Major Rabon has held numerous positions of 
leadership including squad leader; unit nuclear biological and chemical 
NCO; battalion aviation maintenance NCOIC; platoon sergeant; company 
first sergeant; service school instructor; service school branch chief; 
battalion and brigade command sergeant major.
  Sergeant Major Rabon's awards and decorations include the Legion of 
Merit, the Meritorious Service Medal with One Oak Leaf Cluster, the 
Army Commendation Medal, the Army Achievement Medal with One Oak Leaf 
Cluster, the Good Conduct Medal 9th Award, the National Defense Service 
Medal w/Star, the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, the Armed Forces 
Service Medal, the Non-Commissioned Officer Professional Development 
Ribbon with numeral ``4'', the Army Service Ribbon, the Overseas 
Service Ribbon with numeral ``4'', the NATO Medal, the Master Aircraft 
Crewman Badge, the Air Assault Badge, and the Honorable Order of St. 
Michael Bronze award.
  Command Sergeant Major Rabon's long and distinguished military career 
was made possible by the support of his wife, Barbara, and their 
children, David Jr. and Jennifer. The Command Sergeant Major's family 
bore the difficulties and accepted the challenges posed to military 
dependents. The Rabon's sacrifices were compounded by the misfortune of 
losing their son in a motorcycle accident while the family was 
stationed in Germany in 1995. The loss of a child is most difficult but 
worse when one is far from home and family.
  The Rabons have held together. Without a doubt, the family's unity 
and strength, in addition to traditional values and the Command 
Sergeant Major's guidance, have enabled them to endure. The Rabons have 
been continually dedicated to serving the communities they have come in 
contact with through the Command Sergeant Major's service. Command 
Sergeant Major Rabon, himself, has taken special interest in 
coordinating Asian Pacific American activities.
  As the Command Sergeant Major's military career nears conclusion, he 
and his wife have made plans to retire to Fort Walton Beach, FL. They 
look forward to living near their daughter, Jennifer, who is a special 
agent for the Department of Defense at Eglin Air Force Base.
  Once again, to Command Sgt. Maj. David Rabon, his wife, Barbara, and 
daughter, Jennifer, I send best wishes from the people of Guam. It is 
well known that NCO's are ``the backbone of the Army,'' the leaders of 
soldiers, I can think of no finer teacher of leadership than a good 
leader like Command Sgt. Maj. David Rabon. Guam is proud of him and he 
is a great representative of what our people can do.

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