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[Pages S6988-S6989]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
TRIBUTE TO SERGEANT MAJOR DEREK GONDEK
Ms. ERNST. Mr. President, today I rise to pay tribute to SGM Derek
Gondek for his exemplary dedication to duty and service as an Army
congressional fellow and congressional budget liaison for the Assistant
Secretary of the Army, Financial Management and Comptroller. Sergeant
Major Gondek is retiring after 27 years of dedicated service to his
country and the U.S. Army.
A native of Lewiston, ME, Sergeant Major Gondek enlisted as an
infantry soldier in July 1992, attending infantry one station unit
training at Fort Benning, GA.
Sergeant Major Gondek has served in a broad range of assignments
during his Army career at all levels of command. Starting as a rifleman
with the 509th Parachute Infantry Regiment at Fort Polk, LA, Sergeant
Major Gondek led soldiers as a team leader, platoon sergeant, first
sergeant, and operations sergeant major across the Army. His highest
level of leadership was as a battalion command sergeant major of the
2nd Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division at
Schofield Barracks, HI. He has also instructed at the Army's Jumpmaster
School and provided coaching to rotational units at the Army's Joint
Multinational Readiness Center in Hohenfels, Germany. Sergeant Major
Gondek has served forward deployed to both Iraq and Afghanistan.
In 2017, Sergeant Major Gondek began his tenure with the U.S. Senate,
first as a Defense fellow and next in his subsequent assignment as a
congressional budget liaison for the U.S. Army. Sergeant Major Gondek
worked tirelessly with Members of Congress and their staffs to
accurately articulate the Army's budget positions to the Appropriations
Committees. His professionalism, diligence, and commitment to the
mission are unmatched, and his work both as a fellow and as a liaison
very effectively represented the U.S. Army and the Department of
Defense to the U.S. Congress.
The foundation of Derek's military success is his family. He is a
devoted husband to his wife Maura and committed father to his
daughters, Winnie, Ellie, and Zoey. Maura, Winne, Ellie and Zoey
provide the foundation for Derek's service. Their attitude of service,
sacrifice, and care for others permeates every organization and
activity they participate in. The Gondek family is truly an example of
servant leadership in the Army and the communities they engage.
Throughout his career, Sergeant Major Gondek has positively impacted
soldiers, peers, and superiors. Our country has benefited tremendously
from his extraordinary leadership, judgment, and passion. I join my
colleagues today in honoring his dedication to our Nation and
invaluable service to the U.S. Congress as an Army congressional
liaison.
It has been a genuine pleasure to have worked with SGM Derek Gondek
over the last 3 years. On behalf of a grateful nation, I join my
colleagues today in recognizing and commending Derek for his service to
our country, and we wish him all the best as he continues his service
in his future endeavors.
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