[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 192 (Tuesday, December 3, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1522]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 RECOGNIZING COMMAND MASTER CHIEF PETTY OFFICER ALVIN J. VEENSTRA FOR 
             HIS RETIREMENT FROM THE NAVY RESERVES SEABEES

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                           HON. JACK BERGMAN

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, December 3, 2019

  Mr. BERGMAN. Madam Speaker, it's my honor to recognize Command Master 
Chief Petty Officer Alvin J. Veenstra for his retirement from the Navy 
Reserves Seabees. Through his more than thirty years of excellence and 
commitment to service, CMDCM Veenstra has become an indispensable part 
of Michigan's First District.
  The United States Naval Construction Battalions, more commonly known 
as the Navy Seabees, have a storied history in the United States Armed 
Forces--stretching from Normandy and Okinawa to Iraq and Afghanistan. 
Alvin decided to follow in this tradition of service early in his life, 
enlisting in the United States Navy, Sea, and Air Mariner program 
during his sophomore year of college. He carried out a variety of roles 
throughout his 32 years with the Seabees--including deployment with the 
7th Naval Construction Regiment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, 
where he served as the Senior Watch Chief for the II Marine 
Expeditionary Force. On September 6, 2019, Veenstra turned over his 
final command position as the Reserve Affairs Command Master Chief at 
Navy Facilities Engineering Command in Washington, D.C. Outside of his 
service in the military, Alvin is a graduate of Ferris State University 
and serves as Project Manager/Executive Assistant for W.B. Builders in 
East Jordan. Alvin's more than three decades of decorated service is 
commendable, and the impact of his work on his fellow servicemembers 
and the people of the United States cannot be overstated.
  Madam Speaker, it's my honor to congratulate Command Master Chief 
Petty Officer Alvin Veenstra for his decades of service to the people 
of the United States. Michiganders can take great pride in knowing the 
First District is home to such a selfless individual. On behalf of my 
constituents, I wish Alvin all the best in his future endeavors.

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