[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 199 (Tuesday, November 16, 2021)]
[Senate]
[Page S8234]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  HONORING SERGEANT BREANNA J. JESSOP

  Mr. LEE. Mr. President, months ago, as Americans watched harrowing 
video footage of the Afghanistan evacuation efforts, service men and 
women from around the world rose to the challenge of a complex mission. 
As the chaos persisted, the 82nd Airborne Division of the U.S. Army was 
called on to support noncombatant evacuation operations--NEO--at Hamid 
Karzai International Airport in Afghanistan. They completed their 
mission honorably.
  One member of the 82nd Airborne Division, Sgt. Breanna J. Jessop, a 
chaplain assistant, assumed the role as the noncommissioned officer--
NCO--in charge of the airport chapel. Sergeant Jessop, despite 
tremendous obstacles of ongoing and imminent threats, conducted herself 
with courage, discipline, and attention to detail. Her work saved many.
  Always putting the well-being of her fellow soldiers first, Sergeant 
Jessop used her ingenuity to ensure 4,000 U.S. military personnel and 
coalition forces had access to basic hygiene items at a time when 
resources were, at best, limited. Further, she made time to assist 
soldiers with religious support, help care for those who had suffered 
casualties, and ensure the well-being of the soldiers with whom she 
served.
  At the height of the NEO mission, Sergeant Jessop showed outstanding 
leadership. She oversaw the operation of an entire orphanage that had 
been formed as a result of the increase in unaccompanied minors at the 
airport. She led the mission to assist in caring for children and 
offered assistance for children ranging from newborn babies to 17 years 
old. As a result of her untiring humanitarian efforts, over 400 
displaced children were kept safe during the NEO mission.
  Outside of her assigned duties and responsibilities, Sergeant Jessop, 
has helped pioneer the Under the Canopy Program which serves as a 
touchpoint forum for lower enlisted paratroopers. There, she provides 
vital leadership to assist with planning, preparing, and overseeing the 
execution of each event. Her work helps hundreds of paratroopers each 
month to identify issues and discuss new and ongoing initiatives.
  Sgt. Breanna J. Jessop, a native of Myton, UT, truly represents the 
U.S. Army values and what it means to be a paratrooper and Sky Dragon 
soldier.
  About Sergeant Jessop, Maj. Gen. Chris Donahue once said, ``There are 
so many different words that you could use to describe her: strength, 
resilience, willingness to share what others would never be willing to 
. . . that's the type of remarkable person and paratrooper that she 
is.'' I could not agree more.
  Sergeant Jessop was recently recognized by the United Service 
Organizations as the 2021 Service Member of the Year. This award is 
fitting and well-deserved. Yet no award will ever fully honor the 
service of Sergeant Jessop. Her dedicated service to the children 
orphaned at Hamid Karzai International Airport and her fellow 
servicemembers is commendable and will be remembered and revered in the 
hearts of many for years to come.

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