Happy New Year! I hope everyone had a joyous and safe holiday season.

2005 is going to be another great year for us. To kick it off, it's my pleasure to announce this year's recipients of the Academy of Fellows Golden Eagle Awards, which will be presented on April 9.

The first award is presented to a Society Fellow for outstanding contributions to the engineering profession. This year's recipient is Rear Adm. David Nash, P.E., CEC, F.SAME, USN (Ret.). Rear Adm. Nash distinguished himself by outstanding service while on active duty, as well as leading the Iraqi reconstruction effort for the past 18 months as the Director of the DOD Program Management Office for the Coalition Provisional Authority. Rear Adm. Nash was working in a very successful private sector position when he responded once again to serve our nation in Iraq. We are extremely proud of him and delighted he has returned safely to his family.

Our second Golden Eagle Award is presented to an individual not associated with SAME, yet who is recognized for outstanding service to national security. I am pleased to announce Gen. Andrew J. Goodpaster, USA (Ret.), as our second Golden Eagle Award recipient.

Gen. Goodpaster had a long and distinguished career in the Army after graduating from West Point and being commissioned in the Army as an engineer in 1939. He commanded the 48th Engineer Combat Battalion in North Africa and Italy during World War II, and subsequently rose through the ranks to become President Eisenhower's Staff Secretary and Defense Liaison Officer from 1954-61. Gen. Goodpaster held numerous positions including Commander of the 8th Infantry Division, Director of the Joint Staff, Commander of the Army War College, Assistant to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Deputy Commander of U.S. Forces in Vietnam, Commander of NATO Forces and the Supreme Allied Commander of Europe.

Following his retirement from active duty, Gen. Goodpaster was recalled to active duty in 1977 to become the 51st Superintendent of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. He has served three Presidents and won the nation's Freedom Medal. At 90 years young, we look forward to honoring this engineer, soldier and statesman.

In addition to the Golden Eagle Awards, it gives me great pleasure to announce this year's winners of the Membership Streamer. Our new criteria require a Post to have a net increase in both individual members and sustaining member companies.

While there is a decrease in the number of Posts winning the award from last year, I'm confident we will see a substantial increase of winners next year as the Posts implement the many new programs we've worked hard to develop.

The winners of the Membership Streamer for 2004 are:

Congratulations and good luck in the next round of competition for the Distinguished Post Streamer and the Top Post in each size category.

On another note, it is extremely heartwarming to see how generously the nations of the world have responded to the Asian Tsunami disaster with money, equipment and assistance. The Society applauds all those who contributed donations or other assistance. SAME HQ considered various options for contributing to the relief efforts, but in the end, decided that a coordinated effort would not have any greater impact than the actions our members continue to provide. Our Society raises funds at the national level for Education and Mentoring, the Century House renovation fund, and for support to students by our Post Education and Mentoring Fund. I thank each and every one of you and urge you to continue your efforts.

On the topic of Education and Mentoring, I commend the Board's decision to establish a new Academy of Fellows Mentoring Award. This new award will be presented for the first time in April at the Golden Eagle Awards Dinner. The Education and Mentoring Fund Steering Committee also deserves a pat on the back for its aggressive funding of worthwhile projects. These projects include stipends for Student and Young Member national award winners and for 10 Young Members to attend the two ASCE/SAME Leadership Workshops in January and February of this year. Please consider giving to this worthwhile Fund as you renew your membership.

The Board of Direction also voted to provide free memberships to junior engineer officers attending the engineer basic courses. This action helps plant the seeds for our Society's future-well done! It's now up to you and your Post to pick up the ball and welcome these junior officers into the SAME family so they can contribute and reap the benefits of SAME membership.

Before I close, I'd like to ask you to keep our deployed engineers in your thoughts and prayers. In addition to the many active duty, civilians and contractors currently deployed, our Guard and Reserve forces mobilized more than 175,000 members in 2004 to support the Global War on Terrorism. This tremendous effort is made possible by the support and understanding our Sustaining Members and families demonstrate, both in times of war, and each and every day. Please keep all of our nation's heroes in your thoughts and prayers.

SAME HQ and the Board of Direction continue to look for ways to make our Society better and support our members. Please don't hesitate to contact SAME HQ or a Board member to provide suggestions and feedback.

I wish you all the best in the coming year!