[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 135 (Friday, August 30, 2024)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E851-E852]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                HONORING FIRST SERGEANT DONALD E. YETMAN

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. ELISE M. STEFANIK

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, August 30, 2024

  Ms. STEFANIK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor United States Army 
veteran First Sergeant Donald Ernest Yetman.
  Donald was born on November 1, 1942, in Little Compton, Rhode Island, 
and raised in

[[Page E852]]

Plattsburgh, New York. He attended Our Lady of Victory Academy in 
Plattsburgh where he played varsity basketball, football, and baseball. 
After graduation, Donald enlisted in the United States Army in 1962. He 
achieved the rank of Staff Sergeant during his six-year career, serving 
at Fort Bragg, Fort Benning, Fort Jackson, and on the Korean Peninsula. 
Upon the culmination of his military service in 1968, First Sergeant 
Yetman was awarded the Army Service Ribbon, the Navy/Marine Corps 
Outstanding Performance Defense Ribbon with three Bronze Stars, the Air 
Force Commendation Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Air 
Medal, the Armed Forces Reserve Medal, and multiple Army Commendation 
Medals.
  After his honorable discharge from the U.S. Army, Donald served in 
the National Guard while also working as a U.S. Postmaster in East 
Greenbush, New York. He supervised delivery service and played a role 
in implementing the ``Zip-plus-four'' system in New York State (NYS) 
while increasing mail efficiency in the city. After twenty-three years, 
he retired from both positions and was honorably named a First Sergeant 
of the National Guard, earning the NYS Military Commendation Medal, the 
NYS Exercise Support Ribbon, the NYS Humane Service Medal, and multiple 
NYS Aid to Civil Authority Medals.
  Donald married his wife Ann Ellen Bernier in 1966 and proudly raised 
their three sons, Robert, Aaron, and Peter. A stalwart member of his 
community, Donald joined the East Greenbush Fire Company Couse Corners 
Station, the Elks Lodge, the Knights of Columbus, local Little League 
and Pop Warner teams, and served as Chairman of Boy Scouts Troop 54. 
Donald enjoyed hunting, reading, and watching football games with his 
family. Most of all, he loved to watch his son's automobile races.
  First Sergeant Donald Yetman's dedication and service to the United 
States is truly remarkable. On behalf of New York's 21st District, I am 
honored to recognize his extraordinary life.

                          ____________________