Sacramento Post Forms Strategic Partnership

The Sacramento Post will participate in the newly formed Sacramento County Sheriff’s Citizen Corps Council (CCC). Kelly Heidecker, Readiness Chair, agreed to be a member of the Council’s Steering Committee and liaison for the Engineering Reserve Corps. “This strategic partnership between SAME and the CCC positions our Sustaining Members in the forefront of a ground-breaking initiative that will highlight Sacramento, and the state of California, as a model of community-level homeland security preparedness,” Heidecker said.

In 2002 President Bush created the USA Freedom Corps, an initiative of cooperation between the business community and public service agencies in the prevention, preparation and response to emergencies, crimes and natural disasters. President Bush proposed that law enforcement agencies establish a Community Service Reserve Corps of business professionals who volunteer their expertise and leadership to act as advisors to local law enforcement. The underlying concept is that in times of crisis, members will be called upon to work alongside law enforcement personnel in a cooperative effort to overcome challenges presented by emergency situations.

The CCC, sponsored by Sheriff Lou Blanas at the request of Governor Davis, directs the activities of the Community Service Reserve Corps and is responsible for communicating available community resources to the Sheriff in the event of a major emergency; identifying areas of concern for different communities during a major disaster or emergency; and preparing guidelines for the use of available resources within the community.

Spencer "Diamond D" Defty, a Sustaining Member of the Sacramento Post, came up with the idea of a “Yellow Ribbon Fund” to assist families of fallen soldiers from the greater Sacramento area who were killed in action. The Post President gave the idea support and direction and the Yellow Ribbon Fund committee was formed. The fund was used for the family of Marine Corps Sgt. Harvey Parkersen III.

Pittsburgh Post Hosts Business Workshop and Golf Outing

The Pittsburgh Post of SAME hosted the 2003 Sustaining Member workshop at the Engineers Club in Pittsburgh. The workshop highlighted local, state and federal service contracts and included the following speakers: Richard Bogovich from the Port Authority of Allegheny County; Joseph Popchak from the Urban Redevelopment Authority; Don Killmeyer from the Allegheny County Department of Engineering and Construction; Hank Edwardo of the Pittsburgh District USACE Programs and Project Management Branch; and Mike De Stefano of the USACE Contracting Section. The workshop was organized and coordinated by Dave Howard of AWK Engineers.

Additionally, the Pittsburgh Post and the Pittsburgh Section of ASCE jointly held the Second Annual Golf Outing at the Lindenwood Golf Course in Canonsburg, Pa. Organized by Rob Yauger of Gannett Fleming Engineers, participants included hackers from SAME and ASCE including members representing Michael Baker, AWK, GAI, USACE, Milliken Carpet, Mackin Engineers, STV, HDR, L. R. Kimball, Pennsylvania Drilling, Tetra Tech NUS, Crawford Consulting, Shaw Environmental, and the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission. The team of Matt Soltis, Mark Speranza, Dave Kundrat, and Dave Howard posted the low score. The Golf Outing proceeds benefit the SAME and ASCE Scholarship Funds.

San Antonio Post Hosts Night Out

San Antonio Post members and friends enjoyed a great night of fellowship at the SAME-San Antonio Missions Baseball Night on Saturday, Aug. 28, at Nelson Wolff Stadium watching the hometown Missions beat the Wichita Wranglers, 3-to-2.

The Post also hosted 30 Iraqi Freedom and other veterans and their guests from the Brooks Army Medical Center at Ft. Sam Houston. The Post provided the tickets and food concession coupons for the honored guests.