Chuck Grassley: “I rise today to honor SMA Marilyn Gabbard of the Iowa Army National Guard. The first woman ever promoted to the rank of…”

“I rise today to honor SMA Marilyn Gabbard of the Iowa Army National Guard. The first woman ever promoted to the rank of Command Sargent Major in the Iowa Army National Guard, Sergeant Major Gabbard was deployed to Iraq on December 16, 2006, and died in a UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter crash on January 20, 2007, at 2:45 pm local Iraq time. Her colleagues said of her that she was a role model for other women in the Iowa National Guard, and her rise through the enlisted ranks was inspirational. She is remembered as a respected soldier and caring leader who always put her soldiers first. Her military decorations include three awards of the Meritorious Service Medal. My prayers go out to Marilyn's husband Edward and her seven children and stepchildren, her mother Mary Van Cannon, as well as her grandchildren and all her family and friends. SMA Marilyn Gabbard will be greatly missed. She leaves behind her a legacy of military achievement, immense compassion, and patriotic service. I hope that those who have been touched by her loss will find some comfort in the knowledge that her memory will live on like those countless other heroes throughout American history who have given their lives for our country.”