[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 58 (Tuesday, May 3, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E792]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            HONORING COMMAND SERGEANT MAJOR ROBERT VAN PELT

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. CHRISTOPHER P. GIBSON

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                          Tuesday, May 3, 2011

  Mr. GIBSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today on behalf of the people in New 
York's 20th District to express our sincere appreciation for the 
dedication and sacrifices of one of our own, Command Sergeant Major 
Robert Van Pelt.
  CSM Van Pelt selflessly and courageously served in the United States 
Army between March 1969 and December 1971, after which he joined the 
New York National Guard. During his time in both the Army and National 
Guard, CSM Van Pelt served a vital role as a Fixed Station Autodin 
Technical Controller and NCO in other units related to Signal corps 
operations. He served with distinction and honor and achieved the 
impressive rank of Command Sergeant Major of the NY Army National Guard 
in 1991. During this period, CSM Van Pelt served in the Vietnam War, 
most notably in the First Signal Brigade in Phu Lam, Republic of 
Vietnam and earned numerous medals and commendations, including 
Meritorious Service Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, the Vietnam Service 
Medal with one star, and the Humanitarian Service Medal, among many 
others.
  Outside of this service, CSM Van Pelt also achieved many other 
milestones, including completing Advanced Signal NCO Course Phase 2 at 
Ft. Gordon, GA, and the USA Sergeants' Major Academy, Class #37 at Ft. 
Bliss, TX, as well as receiving a Bachelor of Science Degree at State 
University of New York. In addition, he has been happily married for 
almost 40 years to his wife, Deborah, with whom he has two daughters, 
Stephanie and Sandra. He continues his professional advancement through 
the electrical industry as an Instrumentation and Controls supervisor 
and his membership in IBEW Local Union #25.
  It is an honor to know that such impressive and dedicated men and 
women like CSM Van Pelt are willing to sacrifice so much in the name of 
freedom. It is even more moving that my family and I have the privilege 
of their protection in our home state and district. I thank CSM Van 
Pelt and his family for their service.

                          ____________________