[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 126 (Thursday, July 28, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E797-E798]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        HONORING GRETCHEN EVANS

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. CHELLIE PINGREE

                                of maine

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 28, 2022

  Ms. PINGREE. Madam Speaker, today, I rise to recognize a courageous 
veteran, a resilient leader, and a selfless Mainer. Command Sergeant 
Major Gretchen Evans of Brunswick, Maine is one of the most decorated 
female veterans in American history serving in the United States Army 
for 27 years. Since enlisting at age 19, CSM Evans has served in tours 
of Kosovo, Bosnia, Somalia, Iraq, and Afghanistan, where she was 
responsible for more than 30,000 ground troops. Ms. Evans' honorable 
dedication to defending our country earned her the position of Command 
Sergeant Major, the highest non-commissioned officer rank in the 
military.
  In 2006, Command Sergeant Major Evans survived a barrage of mortar 
fire in Afghanistan which rendered her deaf and wounded. After her 
combat injury, she quickly found renewed vitality by learning to lip 
read, forging relationships with her ``hearing dogs,'' Aura and Rusty, 
and by proactively reaching out to fellow veterans with similar lived 
experience.
  Today, in Maine, CSM Evans continues to give back as an active 
fundraiser and ambassador for local nonprofits which provide support 
services to disabled veterans and which seek to prevent veteran 
experienced social isolation and depression. Additionally, CSM Evans is 
a distinguished public speaker who advocates for the importance of 
leadership, perseverance, and teamwork, as a part of ``Women Veterans 
Speak,'' a national speaker's bureau.
  When she is not inspiring others to serve, CSM Evans pursues her 
passion for extreme sports, running 40 marathons. CSM Evans also led 
UNBROKEN, the first all-mixed abilities team to complete in ``The 
World's Toughest Race,'' a 670-kilometer, week-long endurance race held 
in Fiji. This achievement recently earned her the Pat Tillman Award for 
Service at the 2022 ESPYs, which honors individuals with both strong 
connections to sports and community leadership. This fall, CSM Evans 
will also be inducted into the U.S. Veteran's Hall of Fame in 
recognition for her outstanding meritorious service to our country.
  I thank Command Sergeant Major Gretchen Evans, for her selfless acts 
of duty to keep this Nation safe. The people of Maine are incredibly 
lucky to have her as an advocate, a leader, and a community member. I 
wish her the very best and I look forward to seeing her continue to 
thrive.

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