[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 118 (Friday, August 3, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1431]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 IN RECOGNITION OF THE SERVICE OF MAJOR GENERAL ANTHONY G. CRUTCHFIELD

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. MARTHA ROBY

                               of alabama

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, August 2, 2012

  Mrs. ROBY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Major General 
Anthony G. Crutchfield, Commanding General of the United States Army 
Aviation Center of Excellence, upon completion of his tour of duty at 
Fort Rucker.
   Since August 2010, when Major General Crutchfield took command of 
the United States Army Center of Excellence and Fort Rucker, he has 
demonstrated a deep personal commitment not only to his troops, but 
also to their families and the surrounding community.
   Major General Crutchfield's mastery of the area of Army aviation is 
well known, and his vision for the future of his branch has had a 
direct positive impact in the Army. But, equally important, Major 
General Crutchfield's well-known dedication to his soldiers is, 
perhaps, his most honorable attribute. Further, his devotion to the 
success of his soldier's training, performance, and morale illustrates 
his proven leadership among those who dutifully serve.
   When Major General Crutchfield took command of Fort Rucker, there 
was an untenable backlog of would be pilots waiting to begin training. 
As one of his first directives, he challenged his staff to find a 
solution to this vexing problem. Despite counsel from many that this 
was an unreasonable task, the backlog has been eliminated. Such actions 
exemplify his ``can do'' attitude. The entire Army Aviation community 
has benefited as a result.
   Always thinking about military families, Major Crutchfield would not 
accept that, despite the growing population on base, Fort Rucker was 
not scheduled to receive a new commissary until 2016. Through his 
efforts, Fort Rucker and its families will enjoy the benefits of a new 
commissary in 2013. However, this pales in comparison to his other 
efforts in support of military families. As an example, Major General 
Crutchfield would often participate in story time with children of 
deployed family members. To think that a man of this magnitude would 
make time in his busy schedule to spend with the children of deployed 
soldiers, on more than one occasion, speaks volumes about his genuine 
concern for his military families. It also says a great deal about his 
character as a man.
   Major General Crutchfield has also built solid relationships with 
the Fort Rucker civilian community throughout his command. He took time 
to meet members of the community, and worked hard to get to know them 
personally. Most recently, after undergoing a coaching change at 
Enterprise High School, Major General Crutchfield spent some time with 
the football team and offered a motivational speech to those young 
adults. Such actions are typical of his efforts to bond with the 
community and will have a lasting effect on those student athletes for 
years to come.
   Major General Crutchfield's tour as Commander of the United States 
Army Center of Excellence and Fort Rucker is a textbook example of our 
great military leaders. From his dedication to his troops and their 
families to his unwavering support of the local community, his 
leadership and commitment to excellence contributed significantly to 
our nation's defense.
   Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the United States Congress, I am pleased 
to recognize the significant impact Major General Crutchfield has had 
on Fort Rucker and the surrounding community. My congressional staff, 
my husband Riley, and I each offer Major General Crutchfield and his 
wife Kim our most heartfelt gratitude for their service to our Nation 
and wish them fair winds and following seas as they move on to their 
new duty station at Camp H.M. Smith in Hawaii.

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