[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 21 (Tuesday, March 1, 2005)]
[Senate]
[Page S1862]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               VERMONT ADJUTANT GENERAL MARTHA RAINVILLE

  Mr. LEAHY. Since early November, over 1,000 citizen-soldiers from the 
Vermont National Guard have answered the time-honored call to duty. 
These proud, strong, and intelligent men and women of the 86th Brigade 
were activated for service in the Middle East. In some of the most 
moving series of events I have experienced as Senator, these Vermonters 
separated from loved ones at various sendoff ceremonies all across the 
State. They formed into ranks and marched off for training and, 
eventually, for war. In mobilizing for service, they joined almost 200 
members of Vermont's Green Mountain Boys who just returned from their 
yearlong deployment to Iraq. Watching over this moving sendoff and 
standing as a strong, intelligent, and assuring presence was the 
Adjutant General of the State of Vermont, MG Martha Rainville.
  Superbly carrying out her responsibilities as Vermont's senior 
military leader, General Rainville has ensured that these units, as 
well as any deploying Vermont Guard company, squadron, or detachment, 
have had the best preparation possible. She always tries to make 
certain that the Vermont National Guard has the resources to carry out 
any mission, whether at home or abroad. At the same time, General 
Rainville has a special empathy for her soldiers and airmen, working to 
comfort them during the inevitable pains of family separation.
  I am very proud that General Rainville has recently been reelected by 
the Vermont Legislature to the position of Vermont Adjutant General and 
that, late last year, she was recognized as Vermonter of the Year by 
the Burlington Free Press, one of Vermont's largest circulation 
newspapers. General Rainville is a consummate professional, skilled 
leader, and caring human being. She has had a noticeable effect on the 
readiness of the 4,000 members of the Vermont National Guard and has 
become a critical part of the leadership of the entire National Guard, 
one of our Nation's most cherished institutions. These recognitions are 
representative of all the Guard members, families, and employers from 
Vermont who are making huge sacrifices for the war efforts.
  Martha Rainville assumed the position of Adjutant General of the 
State of Vermont in 1997. She gained valuable experience and 
understanding of the military from her service as a commander of the 
maintenance unit of the 158th Fighter Wing of the Vermont Air National 
Guard. When she stood up and said she was ready to take the reigns of 
the entire Guard, she promised to bring a fresh approach to tackling 
the Guard's tasks and challenges.
  From the first day, General Rainville has brought a careful yet 
energetic approach to her position. She pays close attention to the 
day-to-day operations of the Vermont Guard, yet gives her commanders 
the flexibility to do the job right. This ability to balance small 
details with a sense of the larger picture has enabled the Vermont 
National Guard to respond so well to its real-world missions after 
September 11. From 24-hour air patrols to increasing security along the 
northern border to deploying for the war in Iraq, the Vermont Guard has 
responded well due in part to General Rainville's leadership.
  Vermont Adjutant General Martha Rainville is a credit to the National 
Guard, the State of Vermont, and the country as a whole. I am so proud 
to have seen her move through the ranks in Vermont and assume her 
critically important role. I know she will continue to provide strong 
leadership to our proud citizen-soldiers, and I believe she deserves 
our gratitude, our congratulations, and our thanks.

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