[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 9 (Thursday, January 24, 2013)]
[Senate]
[Page S280]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     TRIBUTE TO CSM JOHN McDONOUGH

 Mr. WHITEHOUSE. Mr. President, today I wish to recognize the 
service of Rhode Island's State CSM John McDonough. Command Sergeant 
Major McDonough is retiring after over 35 years serving the Rhode 
Island National Guard with honor and distinction, and I am proud to 
acknowledge his remarkable career today.
  Command Sergeant Major McDonough first enlisted in the Rhode Island 
Army National Guard in 1976, and graduated with honors from basic 
combat and advanced individual training at Fort Sill in Oklahoma. He 
was then assigned as an artilleryman in Battery A, 1st Battalion, 103rd 
Field Artillery. He quickly became an invaluable member of the Guard's 
field artillery team and went on to serve in a variety of positions, 
including cannon crewman, assistant gunner, gunner, howitzer section 
chief, gunnery sergeant, intelligence sergeant, first sergeant, and 
operations sergeant major.
  Over the years, Command Sergeant Major McDonough received numerous 
awards commending his superior service, and he was eventually selected 
to be the State command sergeant major, the highest noncommissioned 
rank in the Rhode Island National Guard. In this role, Command Sergeant 
Major McDonough represented all enlisted soldiers in command, and 
served as the principal enlisted adviser to the adjutant general. His 
commitment to enforcing standards fairly and improving the quality of 
life for his fellow enlisted Guardsmen made him a celebrated and valued 
member of the Rhode Island National Guard community.
  I thank Command Sergeant Major McDonough for his dedication to the 
Guard and to his comrades, a dedication he continues to demonstrate 
even in retirement. The command sergeant major has taken on a new 
endeavor to improve the lives of veterans as the director of Supportive 
Services for Operation Stand Down, an organization that works to combat 
homelessness among veterans and provide services to help struggling 
veterans get back on their feet.
  Throughout his career in the Rhode Island National Guard, and with 
his continued service today, Command Sergeant Major McDonough has been 
an inspiration, advocate and role model for his fellow Guardsmen. I am 
proud to honor his life's work, and I again thank him for his 
outstanding commitment to serving our country and our military.

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