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Community Outreach The Society of American Military Engineers (SAME) Washington DC Post continues to reach out to the community and continues to extend the SAME mission beyond our Post boundaries. Washington DC Post members and leaders take part in initiatives that introduce others to the Society. These individuals also share their architecture, engineering, and construction industries' expertise and business development acumen with community leaders and members to build much needed relationships and partnerships. The Washington DC Post is committed to the Society's values - Integrity, Patriotism, Public Service, and Dedication to our National Security, Technical Competence, Excellence and Environmental Stewardship. The following are just some of the outreach programs and initiatives led by the Washington DC Post in 2006: Outreach Program to Support Deployed Forces, 5 December 2006 (100+ in attendance): SAME Washington DC Post held an official Recognition Ceremony, with full protocol, of our Nation's Deployed Engineering Team In an unprecedented initiative, the SAME Washington DC Post organized and held a first rate protocol Recognition Ceremony of our Nation's Deployed Engineering Team, that took place on 5 December 2006 at the Fairview Park Marriott, Falls Church, VA. This was a phenomenal program with each of the military services represented and recognized. Individual service members were recognized as well as the actual service. 2006 SAME Washington DC Post Service Members Honored at the Ceremony to Support Our Troops:
The objective of this event was to recognize all the men and women of the armed forces and their civilian counterparts, who deployed in support of Operations IRAQI and ENDURING FREEDOM. Each of these individuals present was selected by their leadership to represent the whole of their individual components that deployed. It was but a small token and gesture of appreciation that the Washington DC Post of SAME conferred on all those that went into harm's way to protect our freedoms and our way of life. Collectively, these six military personnel that we honored at this event had deployed into theater 12 times over the past few years, have nearly 100 years of combined service in the military, and were awarded four Bronze Stars. This was truly an exceptional group of professionals. We thank them and salute them. Tony Maida, DC Post Past Post President Chaired the Ceremony. Support Families of Deployed Troops: Washington DC Post led program with Fisher House The Washington DC Post has begun an outreach program with Fisher House in 2006. The Fisher House program is a unique private-public partnership that supports America's military in their time of need. The program recognizes the special sacrifices of our men and women in uniform and the hardships of military service by meeting a humanitarian need beyond that normally provided by the Departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs. Because members of the military and their families are stationed worldwide and must often travel great distances for specialized medical care, Fisher House Foundation donates "comfort homes," built on the grounds of major military and VA medical centers. These homes enable family members to be close to a loved one at the most stressful times - during the hospitalization for an unexpected illness, disease, or injury. Toys for Tots Drive The SAME Washington DC Post held its annual Toys for Tots US Marine Corps Reserves drive in November and December 2006. The Toys were collected at the 5 December 2006 SAME Washington DC Post program held at the Fairview Park Marriott in Falls Church, VA. Tawania McFadden, the Post's Secretary, organized the event. The SAME Washington DC Post collected toys for children ranging from toddler to 17 years of age. The Post collected over 50 toys for needy children in the DC metro area. Together, the SAME Washington DC Post made a difference in the lives of many needy children in the National Capital Area with toys during the holiday season. Washington DC Post Sponsors the Annual Builder's Ball The SAME Washington DC Post once again participated as an annual sponsor of the Builder's Ball. Held in Washington DC on 4 November 2006, the 6th Annual Builder's Ball had over 1,000 guests at the National Building Museum. All proceeds benefited four local charities: AHC of Arlington, Va., Green Door of Washington, D.C., Martha's Table of Washington, D.C. and CANSTRUCTION. The Washington DC Post Sponsors the SAME National Building Fund in 2006 The SAME Washington DC Post became a 1-Star Sponsor of the SAME National Century House Fund in 2006, helping to raise funds for the Society's building program. The goal of the Century House Fund Renovation Campaign is to raise sufficient funds to create a Gallery of Military Engineer Leaders in, and complete a major renovation of, the historic SAME headquarters in Old Town Alexandria, Va. The gallery will include museum-style displays to showcase our leaderspast and present. In addition, this renovation campaign will fund the needed restoration of the façades and windows on the exterior of the building. DC Post Sustaining Members Participate in the Annual CANStruction Competition CANstruction donates 49,000 cans to the Capital Area Food Bank. CANstruction's 9th Washington DC competition put a visual spotlight on hunger while showcasing the design and construction industry giving back to the communities it helps build. Architects, engineers, and contractors were challenged to design and build giant sculptures using canned food as their primary building block. Tape and cardboard served as nails and cement. The colors and design on food product labels formed the artists' pallet. "Bricks" came in a variety of sizes from the smallest tuna to the industrial-size tomato can. On 9 September from 6 p.m. to midnight, 17 architectural and engineering firms built their structures at the Shops at 2000 Pennsylvania Avenue. After a week of public display, the sculptures were awarded prizes, then the food was donated to the Capital Area Food Bank. SAME Washington DC Post Sustaining Member 2005 Canstruction Award Winners and Participants:
The SAME Washington DC Post is committed to making a difference at home and abroad. It is with our members' contributions that we were able to make this program such a huge success. |
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