[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 78 (Tuesday, June 14, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1203-E1204]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




ON THE RETIREMENT OF COLONEL DEBORAH ANDWOOD FROM THE U.S. ARMY RESERVE

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. WILLIAM D. DELAHUNT

                            of massachusetts

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, June 13, 2005

  Mr. DELAHUNT. Mr. Speaker, from the Revolutionary War to the 
mountains of Afghanistan and the sands of Iraq, Massachusetts' sons and 
daughters have answered the call for military service.
  This weekend, after three decades of active duty service, Colonel 
Deborah Andwood will retire from the U.S. Army Reserve. In her 30 years 
of service she's gone from being a cold warrior to homeland defender. 
Colonel Andwood's commitment, dedication and professionalism has earned 
the respect and admiration of our entire community.
  For several years, Colonel Andwood has served our Commonwealth as the 
Emergency Preparedness Liaison Officer for the Massachusetts Emergency 
Management Agency. In this capacity, Colonel Andwood has assisted in 
coordinating responses for such events as the Democratic National 
Convention, LNG tanker arrivals and the 2004 World Series.
  It is with some special pride, as a fellow native of the city of 
Quincy, that I commend to my colleagues the following narrative 
prepared recently by her fellow officers as they get ready to say 
farewell and thank you.

              Award Narrative--Colonel Deborah J. Andwood

       COL Deborah Andwood distinguished herself by exceptionally 
     meritorious service while serving in successive assignments 
     of great trust and responsibility. COL Andwood received a 
     direct commission as Second Lieutenant in the Women's Army 
     Corps shortly after receiving her Bachelor of Science degree 
     in Education from Westfield State College.
       Following completion of Active Duty assignments as a Signal 
     officer, COL Andwood joined the U.S. Army Reserve. COL 
     Andwood served as the unit Training Officer in the 1037th 
     U.S. Army Reserve School. COL Andwood completed the 
     Transportation Officer Advanced Course and was assigned to 
     the 1172nd Transportation Terminal Unit. She successfully 
     completed assignments of increasing responsibility as 
     Warehouse Officer, Chief of Cargo Documentation, Vessel 
     Operations Chief, and Assistant Operations Chief. Later, COL 
     Andwood was assigned to the 1173rd Transportation Terminal 
     Unit as Vessel Section Chief and Battalion Executive Officer.
       After successfully completing her tour as Battalion 
     Executive Officer, COL Andwood was selected as Battalion 
     Commander of the 1205th Transportation Railway Battalion. 
     Through her efforts in recruiting, retention and training, 
     she improved her battalion's rating to an overall C-3 status 
     for the first time. A significant accomplishment leading to 
     this was the effectiveness of her unit's on-the-job railroad 
     training program that greatly enhanced the unit's MOSQ level. 
     COL Andwood's leadership resulted in IDT attendance remaining 
     above 85% and outstanding

[[Page E1204]]

     performance by her unit at multi-increment Annual Training. 
     In addition to the Railway Battalion, COL Andwood was 
     responsible for effectively managing two subordinate units, 
     one of which was mobilized and demobilized to support 
     Operation Joint Endeavor. Upon successful completion of her 
     tour as Battalion Commander, she was assigned as Logistics 
     Officer in the 1021st CA Group (RTU). From 1997 to 1998, COL 
     Andwood served in an Individual Mobilization Augmentee 
     position as Air Movement Control Officer, 37th Transportation 
     Command in Germany.
       From 1998 to 2002, COL Andwood served as Combined Arms 
     Staff Service School (CAS3) Staff Group Leader, 13th 
     Battalion, and 6th Brigade. In her role as Staff Group 
     Leader, COL Andwood had a significant impact on the 
     preparation of U.S. Army Reserve and National Guard Captains 
     for promotion to field grade officers and staff assignments 
     of increased responsibility.
       Upon successful completion of her tour as CAS3 Staff Group 
     Leader, COL Andwood was assigned as an Emergency Preparedness 
     Liaison Officer for the State of Vermont in 2002. In January 
     2003, COL Andwood was selected for the Emergency Preparedness 
     Liaison Officer in her home state of Massachusetts. COL 
     Andwood has been responsible for the preparation and 
     participation in numerous emergency preparedness exercises 
     for the Commonwealth, the New England region, other Federal 
     Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) regions, and the U.S. 
     Virgin Islands. She has contributed to the effective working 
     relationships between State Joint DoD services team and the 
     federal, state(s), and civilian authorities tasked with 
     responding to the all hazards requirements of the federal 
     response plan. During her tour, COL Andwood significantly 
     contributed to the education and preparedness of the Joint 
     Service region and State Emergency Preparedness Liaison 
     Officer teams in New England, New York, and New Jersey by 
     the planning, coordination, and execution of a 3-day 
     conference in Boston. Federal, state, and local agencies 
     were brought together to provide education and interaction 
     in preparation for the Democratic National Convention. In 
     July 2004, COL Andwood was called to active duty as a team 
     member at the Joint Operations Center in Milford, 
     Massachusetts during the Democratic National Convention as 
     part of the DoD response in the event of an emergency or 
     disaster. COL Andwood's dedication and selflessness at all 
     levels within the disaster preparedness community has 
     substantially advanced the state of readiness of the State 
     Emergency Preparedness Liaison Team, the coordination with 
     the Massachusetts National Guard, and the preparedness and 
     training of the Defense Coordinating Teams that COL 
     Andwood has supported. Her outstanding achievements and 
     devotion to duty are in keeping with the highest 
     traditions of military service and reflect great credit 
     upon herself and the United States Army.

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