[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 68 (Thursday, April 26, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E864]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            TRIBUTE TO SENIOR MASTER SERGEANT MARSHA A. ROWE

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JAMES T. WALSH

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 25, 2007

  Mr. WALSH of New York. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the 
career of Senior Master Sergeant Marsha A. Rowe, who retired March 9, 
2007 from the 174th Fighter Wing, New York Air National Guard in 
Syracuse, New York after having served over 31 years of dedicated 
service in the United States Armed Forces. Her last duty position was 
Noncommissioned Officer in Charge of Plans, Scheduling, and 
Documentation in the 174th Fighter Wing Maintenance Operations Flight.
  A native of Central New York, Sergeant Rowe's long and distinguished 
career in the United States Armed Forces began in January of 1976 when 
she enlisted in the New York Air National Guard. As a recent graduate 
of Indiana University, Sergeant Rowe was recruited for officer training 
but chose to join the enlisted ranks so she could work on the aircraft. 
All maintenance fields were combat positions and at that time not open 
to females, but Sergeant Rowe persisted and a waiver from National 
Guard Bureau allowed her to become a member of the 174th Maintenance 
Squadron Armament Section, working on gun and release systems and 
loading weapons on the A-37B Fighter Aircraft. Sergeant Rowe was named 
to the Load Standardization Crew, responsible for training all load 
crews, and earned the Maintenance Person of the Quarter Award. Soon 
after, Sergeant Rowe became the first female Recruiter in the 174th 
Fighter Wing. After her recruiting tour, Sergeant Rowe held numerous 
positions in the 174th Fighter Wing including Missile Shop Chief, 
Avionics Technician, Precision Measurement Equipment Lab Chief, Engine 
Manager, and Production Controller. In addition to the A-37B Dragonfly, 
she has worked on the A-10 Thunderbolt and the F-16 Falcon. Sergeant 
Rowe served in Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm, 
where she maintained the Electronics Counter Measure system on the F-16 
Aircraft. Upon her return, she was chosen to carry the NY State Flag in 
both the Washington, DC and New York City Victory Celebration Parades.
  In addition to her full-time position, Sergeant Rowe has served as 
the Program Manager for the Base Security Augmentee Program for the 
past 13 years. She was a member of the Base Honor/Color Guard from 
1976-1998, a member of the Base Pistol Team, served on the Board of 
Directors for the All Services Club, and was instrumental in organizing 
the trip to Washington, DC for the dedication of the Women's Memorial 
in Arlington National Cemetery. An animal advocate, Sergeant Rowe is 
involved in several organizations, and will be dedicating her 
retirement years to their causes.
  Sergeant Rowe's military decorations include the Meritorious Service 
Medal; the Air Force Commendation Medal with 3 oak leaf clusters; and 
the Air Force Achievement Medal with one oak leaf cluster. Her military 
unit awards include the Air Force OutStanding Unit Award with Combat 
`V' device and four oak leaf clusters and the Air Force Organizational 
Excellence Award. She also holds the Air Reserve Forces Meritorious 
Service Medal with nine oak leaf clusters; the National Defense Service 
Medal with one bronze service star, the Southwest Asia Service Medal 
with three campaign stars; and the Global War on Terrorism Service 
Medal. Other service awards include the Air Force Longevity Service 
Award with six oak leaf clusters; the Armed Forces Reserve Medal with 
silver hourglass device, Mobilization ``M'' device, and Numeral 2; the 
USAF NCO Professional Military Education Graduate Ribbon; Small Arms 
Expert Marksmanship Ribbon; and the Air Force Training Ribbon. Her 
Foreign Service awards include the Kuwait Liberation Medal from Kingdom 
of Saudi Arabia and the Kuwait Liberation Medal from the Government of 
Kuwait. She is also the recipient of the N.Y. State Commendation Medal.

  Sergeant Rowe is a very special person. She willingly served her 
Nation in time of war, and in time of peace, exuding integrity, loyalty 
and pride. For her unrelenting service to her country, Sergeant Rowe 
can retire knowing she has earned such a status. I wish her well in 
retirement and thank her for her years of hard work and dedication.

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