[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 25 (Tuesday, February 7, 2023)]
[Senate]
[Page S257]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         TRIBUTE TO DAWN SMITH

 Mr. TUBERVILLE. Mr. President, I am proud to recognize U.S. 
Air Force veteran Master Sergeant Dawn Smith of Notasulga. Sergeant 
Smith joined the Air Force immediately after graduating high school 
when a recruitment poster caught her mom's eye. Once she learned about 
the opportunities available to her through military service, Sergeant 
Smith felt that it was the right path for her.
  Sergeant Smith was stationed at several posts during her 20-year 
career. She started as a missile maintainer, but retrained as an 
eyecare technician. As a tribute to her dedicated work ethic, she was 
selected as a noncommissioned officer academy instructor. Even though 
the military isn't a traditional, 4-year educational route, she 
described it as a ``continuing education'' experience.
  After she retired from the military, Sergeant Smith started a cattle 
operation named Lone Oak Farm with her husband Tim, who also served in 
the Air Force for 23 years. She credits the ``no-fail'' mentality 
learned in the military for helping her succeed as a first-time farmer. 
The Smiths have grown their operation from 2 cows to 35, and now, they 
sell fresh beef to families across Alabama.
  Sergeant Smith is truly a ``lifelong learner'' who is always willing 
to share her knowledge and experiences with others. That is why she is 
proud to be a 4-H agent assistant for the Tallapoosa County School 
System, where she teaches ag-related skills to more than 1,000 fourth, 
fifth, and sixth graders each month. And twice a year, she works with 
high schoolers, helping them learn how to work with their hands and 
grow their own produce.
  Now, Sergeant Smith helps develop new curriculums for students, 
including a ``Respect for the Flag'' lesson that teaches the American 
flag's history, meaning, and how to properly care for it. Sergeant 
Smith credits the military for giving her greater awareness and 
compassion for the needs of others around the world. She went to 
Guatemala for the first time on a medical mission while in the service, 
which inspired her and her husband to continue mission trips to 
Guatemala and Alaska after their retirement.
  Alabama is grateful for Sergeant Smith's service and proud to 
recognize her for the February veteran of the Month.

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