[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 164 (Wednesday, November 16, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1495-E1496]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  HONORING THE LIFE OF GERTIE FLETCHER

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. BARBARA COMSTOCK

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, November 16, 2016

  Mrs. COMSTOCK. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take a moment to honor 
the life of Mrs. Gertrude ``Gertie'' Mae Smith Fletcher of Ashburn, 
Virginia. Throughout her life, Mrs. Fletcher was a respected leader in 
the community as she and her husband Charlie were founding members of 
Ashburn Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department. Her dedicated service has 
kept the people of the Ashburn community safe for over 60 years.
  One morning in 1947, Gertrude was busy preparing for an event at the 
fire station when an alarm was dispatched. Her brother-in-law, Carly 
Fletcher, was the only fireman that responded to answer the call that 
morning. Realizing that he may need help in this situation, Carly 
called for Mrs. Fletcher to get in the

[[Page E1496]]

truck with him and promptly deputized her as a volunteer firefighter. 
Ever since that day, Mrs. Fletcher supported the Ashburn Volunteer Fire 
and Rescue Department through her service as an officer of the Ladies 
Auxiliary. Her selfless legacy will forever be a part of both 
organizations.
  Always willing to lend a hand to a neighbor in need, Gertie was an 
irreplaceable pillar of our community. Mrs. Fletcher was active in all 
phases of community life in Ashburn, from her leadership at the Calvary 
Baptist Church to her role in forming the Blue Ridge Speech and Hearing 
Center. She always worked tirelessly to better her community. Mrs. 
Fletcher is survived by her son, Tom Fletcher, two grandchildren, Brian 
and Catherine, and two great-grandchildren, Taryn and Brock and a 
sister, Aileen. She will be missed by the countless lives she has 
touched over her years of public service.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me in celebrating the life 
of, and bidding farewell to, Gertrude Mae Smith Fletcher. May she rest 
in peace, and her family be comforted.

                          ____________________