[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 150 (Tuesday, August 24, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E922]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING COLONEL RONNIE B. DELFIN ON THE OCCASION 
                           OF HIS RETIREMENT

                                 ______
                                 

                     HON. MICHAEL F.Q. SAN NICOLAS

                                of guam

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, August 24, 2021

  Mr. SAN NICOLAS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to commend and 
congratulate Colonel Ronnie B. Delfin on the occasion of his retirement 
from the Guam Army National Guard after 31 years of service to our 
island and nation.
  Colonel Delfin enlisted in the U.S. Army Reserve in 1990 and was 
assigned to the U.S. Army Reserve Headquarters as a medical specialist 
after completing his Basic Training and Combat Medic Advanced 
Individual Training. In August 1993, he enrolled in the University of 
Guam ROTC program and reported to active duty as a commissioned officer 
in May of 1996. He attended the Armor Officer Basic Course from August 
1996 to January 1997, and his first duty assignment was with the 1st 
Battalion, 33rd Armor Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division in Fort Lewis, 
Washington, where he served as an Assistant S-2, Tank Platoon Leader, 
Mortar Platoon Leader, and Executive Officer. He was later reassigned 
to the 1st Brigade 25th Infantry Division (Light) in Fort Lewis, 
Washington, as an Assistant BDE S-3.
  Colonel Delfin joined the Guam Army National Guard and was assigned 
as the Security and Intelligence Officer in October 2000. He then 
joined the Active Guard and Reserve program in September of 2001. His 
assignments in the AGR include Counterdrug Coordinator; Commander 
1224th Engineer Detachment (Utilities); S3, 105th Troop Command; 
Secretary of the General Staff; Commander, 203d RTI; and Commander, 
94th Civil Support Team (WMD). Colonel Delfin mobilized and deployed 
with the 1224th Engineer Detachment to Afghanistan in support of 
Operation Enduring Freedom.
  Colonel Delfin is a graduate of the Armor Officer Basic Course, the 
Infantry Officer Advance Course, Engineer Captain's Career Course, the 
Combined Arms Services Staff School, and the United States Command and 
General Staff College Intermediate Level Education, and the United 
States Army War College. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Public 
Administration, a Master of Management, and a Master in Strategic 
Studies from the War College.
  Colonel Delfin received a number of awards, such as the Bronze Star 
Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (4OLC), Army Commendation Medal 
(4OLC), Air Force Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal (2OLC), 
the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, the Combat Action Badge, and the 
Parachutist Badge. He is a Distinguished Military Graduate from the 
University of Guam Army ROTC and a recipient of the General George C. 
Marshall Award.
  As Commander of Joint Task Force 671 and Chief of Joint Staff for the 
Guam National Guard, Colonel Delfin played a critical role in executing 
missions to support the Government of Guam with an efficient and 
comprehensive COVID-19 response. In addition to promoting an 
educational campaign, he facilitated the staffing of quarantine, 
community testing and food distribution sites, the full operation of 
emergency rooms and COVID-19 wards, the implementation of vital 
engineering projects, and much more. He tirelessly collaborated with 
local authorities to ensure the health and safety of our people, and it 
is with the support of his leadership that our island's response 
efforts have yielded the achievement of a largely vaccinated 
population.
  Colonel Delfin has and continues to serve as a fine example of 
leadership and dedicated his skills, knowledge, and training to 
elevating the quality of life for Americans in Guam and across the 
world. In addition to advancing our national objectives both at home 
and overseas, Colonel Delfin has further emphasized the importance of 
ensuring our communities are empowered with the tools to overcome 
challenges in the days that follow a completed military mission.
  Madam Speaker, I rise on behalf of the People of Guam, offering my 
greatest appreciation to Colonel Ronnie B. Delfin for his devotion to 
our island and nation. I sincerely thank him for his many years of 
service and sacrifice, congratulate him on his well-earned retirement, 
and wish him and his family all the best in this new chapter of their 
lives.

                          ____________________