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Phillip May, president and chief executive officer of Entergy Louisiana, talks about the devastation to Southwest Louisiana and Entergy's commitment to rebuild. Entergy’s Hurricane Laura information website provides customers with storm restoration and recovery updates. Visit the site at entergy.com/hurricanelaura
Joseph's Church (St. Pölten )
Catholic Parish Church of St. Josef
Object ID : 26022 Kranzbichlerstraße 24a
The wide three-aisled pillar basilica under a gable roof with a transept was built 1924-1929 in Romanesque style according to the plans of the architect Matthäus Schlager.
The Parish Church of St. Joseph is a Roman Catholic church in the city of St. Pölten.
On the north side there are three portals, the middle portal is funnel-shaped, the facades have rounded arch windows and a historicized Traufgesims (eaves cornice). The retracted choir has a round apse. To the west of the church, to Mariazellerstraße is situated a freestanding metal casting statue Christ by sculptor Karl Schwerzek. The high church tower under a pitched roof is to the west at transept and choir juxtaposed. The square in front of the entrance facade was named with Father Paul's Place and on Paul Wörndl as the first pastor of the church a memorial plaque at the church installed.
Inside is the church as well as the organ loft on the north side continuously kreuzgratgewölbt (groined vaulted) and baroquising monumentally designed. The interior of the church, such as altar, Stipes (thick post - substructur of the altar) with stepped retabel wall, tabernacles with reliefs, like a statue of Saint Josef, were created based on designs by the sculptor Heinrich Zita 1933. The wall paintings in the vaults and in the shallow round arched niches in the apse and the side altars are by the painter Sepp Zöchling from 1958.
de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liste_der_denkmalgesch%C3%BCtzten_O...(Stadtteil)
de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Josefskirche_(St._P%C3%B6lten)
(further information is available by clicking on the link at the end of page!)
History of the City St. Pölten
In order to present concise history of the Lower Austrian capital is in the shop of the city museum a richly illustrated full version on CD-ROM.
Tip
On the occasion of the commemoration of the pogroms of November 1938, the Institute for Jewish History of Austria its virtual Memorbuch (Memory book) for the destroyed St. Pölten Jewish community since 10th November 2012 is putting online.
Prehistory
The time from which there is no written record is named after the main materials used for tools and weapons: Stone Age, Bronze Age, Iron Age. Using the latest technologies, archaeologists from archaeological finds and aerial photographs can trace a fairly detailed picture of life at that time. Especially for the time from the settling down of the People (New Stone Age), now practicing agriculture and animal husbandry, in the territory of St. Pölten lively settlement activity can be proved. In particular, cemeteries are important for the research, because the dead were laid in the grave everyday objects and jewelry, the forms of burial changing over time - which in turn gives the archeology valuable clues for the temporal determination. At the same time, prehistory of Sankt Pölten would not be half as good documented without the construction of the expressway S33 and other large buildings, where millions of cubic meters of earth were moved - under the watchful eyes of the Federal Monuments Office!
A final primeval chapter characterized the Celts, who settled about 450 BC our area and in addition to a new culture and religion also brought with them the potter's wheel. The kingdom of Noricum influenced till the penetration of the Romans the development in our area.
Roman period, migrations
The Romans conquered in 15 BC the Celtic Empire and established hereinafter the Roman province of Noricum. Borders were protected by military camp (forts), in the hinterland emerged civilian cities, almost all systematically laid out according to the same plan. The civil and commercial city Aelium Cetium, as St. Pölten was called (city law 121/122), consisted in the 4th Century already of heated stone houses, trade and craft originated thriving urban life, before the Romans in the first third of the 5th Century retreated to Italy.
The subsequent period went down as the Migration Period in official historiography, for which the settlement of the Sankt Pöltner downtown can not be proved. Cemeteries witness the residence of the Lombards in our area, later it was the Avars, extending their empire to the Enns.
The recent archaeological excavations on the Cathedral Square 2010/2011, in fact, the previous knowledge of St.Pölten colonization not have turned upside down but enriched by many details, whose full analysis and publication are expected in the near future.
Middle Ages
With the submission of the Avars by Charlemagne around 800 AD Christianity was gaining a foothold, the Bavarian Benedictine monastery of Tegernsee establishing a daughter house here - as founder are mentioned the brothers Adalbert and Ottokar - equipped with the relics of St. Hippolytus. The name St. Ypolit over the centuries should turn into Sankt Pölten. After the Hungarian wars and the resettlement of the monastery as Canons Regular of St. Augustine under the influence of Passau St. Pölten received mid-11th Century market rights.
In the second half of the 20th century historians stated that records in which the rights of citizens were held were to be qualified as Town Charters. Vienna is indeed already in 1137 as a city ("civitas") mentioned in a document, but the oldest Viennese city charter dates only from the year 1221, while the Bishop of Passau, Konrad, already in 1159 the St. Pöltnern secured:
A St. Pöltner citizen who has to answer to the court, has the right to make use of an "advocate".
He must not be forced to rid himself of the accusation by a judgment of God.
A St. Pöltner citizen may be convicted only by statements of fellow citizens, not by strangers.
From the 13th Century exercised a city judge appointed by the lord of the city the high and low jurisdiction as chairman of the council meetings and the Municipal Court, Inner and Outer Council supported him during the finding of justice. Venue for the public verdict was the in the 13th Century created new marketplace, the "Broad Market", now the town hall square. Originally square-shaped, it was only later to a rectangle reduced. Around it arose the market district, which together with the monastery district, the wood district and the Ledererviertel (quarter of the leather goods manufacturer) was protected by a double city wall.
The dependence of St. Pölten of the bishop of Passau is shown in the municipal coat of arms and the city seal. Based on the emblem of the heraldic animal of the Lord of the city, so the Bishop of Passau, it shows an upright standing wolf holding a crosier in its paw.
Modern Times
In the course of the armed conflict between the Emperor Frederick III . and King Matthias of Hungary pledged the Bishop of Passau the town on the Hungarian king. From 1485 stood Lower Austria as a whole under Hungarian rule. The most important document of this period is the awarding of the city coat of arms by King Matthias Corvinus in the year 1487. After the death of the opponents 1490 and 1493 could Frederick's son Maximilian reconquer Lower Austria. He considered St. Pölten as spoils of war and had no intention of returning it to the diocese of Passau. The city government has often been leased subsequently, for instance, to the family Wellenstein, and later to the families Trautson and Auersperg.
That St. Pölten now was a princely city, found its expression in the coat of arms letter of the King Ferdinand I. from 1538: From now on, the wolf had no crosier anymore, and the from the viewer's point of view left half showed the reverse Austrian shield, so silver-red-silver.
To the 16th Century also goes back the construction of St. Pöltner City Hall. The 1503 by judge and council acquired house was subsequently expanded, rebuilt, extended and provided with a tower.
A for the urban history research important picture, painted in 1623, has captured scenes of the peasant uprising of 1597, but also allows a view to the city and lets the viewer read some of the details of the then state of construction. The economic inconveniences of that time were only exacerbated by the Thirty Years War, at the end of which a fifth of the houses were uninhabited and the citizenry was impoverished.
Baroque
After the successful defense against the Turks in 1683, the economy started to recover and a significant building boom began. Lower Austria turned into the land of the baroque abbeys and monasteries, as it is familiar to us today.
In St. Pölten, the change of the cityscape is closely connected to the Baroque architect Jakob Prandtauer. In addition to the Baroquisation of the interior of the cathedral, a number of buildings in St. Pölten go to his account, so the reconstruction of the castle Ochsenburg, the erection of the Schwaighof and of the core building of the Institute of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Englische Fräuleins - English Maidens) - from 1706 the seat of the first school order of St.Pölten - as well as of several bourgeois houses.
Joseph Munggenast, nephew and co-worker of Prandtauer, completed the Baroquisation of the cathedral, he baroquised the facade of the town hall (1727) and numerous bourgeois houses and designed a bridge over the Traisen which existed until 1907. In the decoration of the church buildings were throughout Tyroleans collaborating, which Jakob Prandtauer had brought along from his homeland (Tyrol) to St. Pölten, for example, Paul Troger and Peter Widerin.
Maria Theresa and her son Joseph II: Their reforms in the city of the 18th Century also left a significant mark. School foundings as a result of compulsory education, the dissolution of the monasteries and hereinafter - from 1785 - the new role of St. Pölten as a bishop's seat are consequences of their policies.
1785 was also the year of a fundamental alteration of the old Council Constitution: The city judge was replaced by one magistrate consisting of five persons, at the head was a mayor. For the first mayor the painter Josef Hackl was chosen.
The 19th century
Despite the Napoleonic Wars - St. Pölten in 1805 and 1809 was occupied by the French - and despite the state bankruptcy of 1811, increased the number of businesses constantly, although the economic importance of the city for the time being did not go beyond the near vicinity.
Against the background of monitoring by the state secret police, which prevented any political commitment between the Congress of Vienna and the 1848 revolution, the citizens withdrew into private life. Sense of family, fostering of domestic music, prominent salon societies in which even a Franz Schubert socialized, or the construction of the city theater were visible signs of this attitude.
The economic upswing of the city did not begin until after the revolution of the year 1848. A prerequisite for this was the construction of the Empress Elisabeth Western Railway, moving Vienna, Linz, soon Salzburg, too, in a reachable distance. The city walls were pulled down, St. Pölten could unfold. The convenient traffic situation favored factory start-ups, and so arose a lace factory, a revolver factory, a soap factory or, for example, as a precursor of a future large-scale enterprise, the braid, ribbon and Strickgarnerzeugung (knitting yarn production) of Matthias Salcher in Harland.
In other areas, too, the Gründerzeit (years of rapid industrial expansion in Germany - and Austria) in Sankt Pölten was honouring its name: The city got schools, a hospital, gas lanterns, canalization, hot springs and summer bath.
The 20th century
At the beginning of the 20th Century the city experienced another burst of development, initiated by the construction of the power station in 1903, because electricity was the prerequisite for the settlement of large companies. In particular, the companies Voith and Glanzstoff and the main workshop of the Federal Railways attracted many workers. New Traisen bridge, tram, Mariazell Railway and other infrastructure buildings were erected; St. Pölten obtained a synagogue. The Art Nouveau made it repeatedly into the urban architecture - just think of the Olbrich House - and inspired also the painting, as exponents worth to be mentioned are Ernst Stöhr or Ferdinand Andri.
What the outbreak of the First World War in broad outlines meant for the monarchy, on a smaller scale also St. Pölten has felt. The city was heavily impacted by the deployment of army units, a POW camp, a military hospital and a sick bay. Industrial enterprises were partly converted into war production, partly closed. Unemployment, housing emergency and food shortages long after the war still were felt painfully.
The 1919 to mayor elected Social Democrat Hubert Schnofl after the war tried to raise the standard of living of the people by improving the social welfare and health care. The founding of a housing cooperative (Wohnungsgenossenschaft), the construction of the water line and the establishment of new factories were further attempts to stimulate the stiffening economy whose descent could not be stopped until 1932.
After the National Socialist regime had stirred false hopes and plunged the world into war, St. Pölten was no longer the city as it has been before. Not only the ten devastating bombings of the last year of the war had left its marks, also the restrictive persecution of Jews and political dissidents had torn holes in the structure of the population. Ten years of Russian occupation subsequently did the rest to traumatize the population, but at this time arose from the ruins a more modern St. Pölten, with the new Traisen bridge, district heating, schools.
This trend continued, an era of recovery and modernization made the economic miracle palpable. Already in 1972 was - even if largely as a result of incorporations - exceeded the 50.000-inhabitant-limit.
Elevation to capital status (capital of Lower Austria), 10 July 1986: No other event in this dimension could have become the booster detonation of an up to now ongoing development thrust. Since then in a big way new residential and commercial areas were opened up, built infrastructure constructions, schools and universities brought into being to enrich the educational landscape. East of the Old Town arose the governmental and cultural district, and the list of architects wears sonorous names such as Ernst Hoffmann (NÖ (Lower Austria) Landhaus; Klangturm), Klaus Kada (Festspielhaus), Hans Hollein (Shedhalle and Lower Austrian Provincial Museum), Karin Bily, Paul Katzberger and Michael Loudon ( NÖ State Library and NÖ State Archive).
European Diploma, European flag, badge of honor, Europe Price: Between 1996 and 2001, received St. Pölten numerous appreciations of its EU commitment - as a sort of recognition of the Council of Europe for the dissemination of the EU-idea through international town twinnings, a major Europe exhibition or, for example, the establishment and chair of the "Network of European medium-sized cities".
On the way into the 21st century
Just now happened and already history: What the St. Pöltnern as just experienced sticks in their minds, travelers and newcomers within a short time should be told. The theater and the hospital handing over to the province of Lower Austria, a new mayor always on the go, who was able to earn since 2004 already numerous laurels (Tags: polytechnic, downtown enhancement, building lease scheme, bus concept) - all the recent changes are just now condensed into spoken and written language in order to make, from now on, the history of the young provincial capital in the 3rd millennium nachlesbar (checkable).
www.st-poelten.gv.at/Content.Node/freizeit-kultur/kultur/...
U.S. Army Africa chef earns top honors in culinary competition
By Rick Scavetta, U.S. Army Africa
VICENZA, Italy – When Sgt. Ken Turman drizzled thickened meat juice around a plate of herb pork tenderloin crepinette, he was putting the finishing touches on an entrée that would take top honors at the 35th U.S. Army Culinary Arts Competition.
Turman, a U.S. Army Africa chef who works at Caserma Ederle’s South of the Alps dining facility, served as team captain for U.S. Army Europe’s team during the March 12 competition at Fort Lee, Va.
“Sgt. Turman's performance at the competition was exemplary,” said Maj. L. Trice Burkes, commander of Headquarters Support Company, U.S. Army Africa. “His accolades clearly represent years of commitment to the culinary field. We’re honored to have such an NCO among our ranks.”
Overall, the USARUER team earned 22 gold, nine silver and five bronze awards. The military chefs also earned the top team prize, the Installation of the Year award. It’s the first time since 1992 that a USAREUR team received the title. The USAREUR team also won the best team buffet table award.
“Sgt. Turman showed a keen ability to grasp advanced cookery skills and methods along with understanding the requirements of the rules established for the culinary competition, enabling him to be quite successful,” said Sgt. Maj. Mark Warren, from USAREUR’s logistics directorate, who managed the team.
The meal that won gold for the team included an appetizer of seared salmon on a bed of tagliatelle vegetables, served with a citrus wine cream sauce and tomatoes concasse. The main dish included the herb pork tenderloin crepinette and braised pork belly with savory crimini mushroom bread pudding, plus carrot and ginger puree served with pearl onions, peas and creamed Savoy cabbage. The natural jus-lie – thickened meat sauce – was the final touch.
Following the entrée was a desert of streusel-baked apple with mascarpone cream filling, pistachio sponge cake with raspberry cream and chocolate décor served with warm apples and raspberries in vanilla syrup with lemon.
Turman also served as captain of the student skills team. He received a silver medal in the senior chef of the year category and took gold in both the nutritional hot food challenge and in live hot food cooking. Turman was also selected to represent the Army during the Culinary Olympics World Cup this November in Luxembourg.
Warren is encouraged to see younger chefs like Turman develop skills and study the finer points of cookery, he said.
“I would expect to see great achievements and advancement in his future,” Warren said.
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Ice sculpture "King Neptune", sits in a tent behind the Field House at Fort Lee, Va., March 9, 2010. "King Neptune" created by U.S. Army Chief Warrant Officer 4th Class Robert Sparks, Staff Sgt. Andre "The Worlds Strongest Chef" Rush and U.S. National Guard Staff Sgt. Hernandez is on display during an ice carving event at the 35th Culinary Arts Competition. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Walter Reeves/Released)
The Colorado Republican Party holds its "Commitment to Colorado" press conference on August 9th, 2021.
Photographed is Colorado Senate Minority Leader Chris Holbert.
Photo taken by Sage Naumann.
Photo may be used by any entity with attribution to Sage Naumann.
Note: The home and family curio shop business for over 100 years, Verkamp's re-opened as a National Park Service visitor center on November 26, 2008. The National Park Service now owns the building and it hosts a bookstore and exhibits about the pioneer history of Grand Canyon Village. www.flickr.com/photos/grand_canyon_nps/sets/7215762639621...
A Commitment To The Arts And To Native American People
REGARDING THIS CATALOGUE
Everything shown in this catalogue except articles specifically marked otherwise are genuine Indian Hand¬made. Please do not confuse them with the many cheap imitations which are flooding the country. A genuine Indian article, with its artistic workmanship, beautiful symbolic designs, and costly materials, is a lasting source of pride to its owner. Imitations are what their name implies-meaningless replicas.
"With an eye to the sale of Navajo Crafts, the traders exerted considerable influence on their designs and workmanship. It is largely to the traders credit that the craft industry has become stabilized to the point where a person buying a rug or a bracelet is assured of his money's worth when he buys from a licensed trader.
Styles, in rugs particularly, have been influenced and harmonious colors, pleasing designs and closer weaving are now the rule. It was through the advice and encouragement of traders that some famous rugs as those from Two Grey Hills, Crystal, and Wide Ruins were brought to their present perfection." - from Navajo Tribal pamphlet
Above:
Jack Verkamp with world renowned San Ildefonso potter, Maria Martinez
Left:
Navajo jeweler Alvin Thompson and Dan Ashley Verkamp's General Manager
From www.dmu.edu/about/history/
The history of Des Moines University reflects a continuing commitment to teach, to learn and to serve. Founded in 1898 by Dr. Summerfield Saunders Still and his wife, Dr. Ella Still, the Dr. S.S. Still College of Osteopathy was located at 1422 West Locust Street, in downtown Des Moines. The College Infirmary, located across the street, provided an opportunity for students to work directly with patients during the course of their medical training. Students’ coursework included classes such as descriptive anatomy, theory of osteopathy and dissection. From its founding through the early 1920s, the College admitted large numbers of female students, sometimes comprising over one-third of the class, who attended classes and trained alongside their male classmates as equals. Over the decades, female enrollment waned, but experienced resurgence during the 1970s. Today, female students make up over 55% of the student body.
Microscope laboratory - 1905
Microscope laboratory – 1905
In 1905, the school changed its name to the Still College of Osteopathy and continued to grow and prosper during the first part of the 20th Century. In 1909, the College purchased the Iowa Sanitarium building and opened the Des Moines General Hospital. The Hospital was sold in 1916 but remained closely tied to the School until closing its doors in 2000. Outside of class, student life flourished, as professional fraternal organizations, sports teams and a College band kept students busy in their spare time. By 1927, the College had outgrown its building and moved to 722 Sixth Avenue, just a few blocks north of the city center.
The College was renamed the Des Moines Still College of Osteopathy and Surgery in 1945 to reflect an expanding curriculum. One year later, the College opened the Still College Osteopathic Hospital and College Clinic, which provided enhanced clinical training opportunities for students and increased health care options for the community. In 1967, the Hospital became the Harrison Rehabilitation and Treatment Hospital, the first center in the state of Iowa to treat the disease of alcoholism. The clinic closed in 1972, when the College moved to Grand Avenue.
The name changed again, in 1958, to the College of Osteopathic Medicine and Surgery. Beginning in 1963, the College opened a number of off-campus clinics in Des Moines and the surrounding area. In 1971, the Dietz Diagnostic Center, located on Des Moines’ south side, began operation as a major outpatient facility.
Student Education Center
Student Education Center
In 1972, the college moved to its present 22-acre site on Grand Avenue. Originally the campus of St. Joseph’s Academy, a former Catholic girls’ school, the Grand Avenue location continues to provide faculty and students with the resources they need to succeed. During the ensuing years, enrollment in the college more than doubled and new buildings added to and replaced those used by the Academy.
In 1980 The University established two new colleges, the College of Podiatric Medicine and Surgery and the College of Biological Sciences (later renamed the College of Health Sciences)., These colleges, with the College of Osteopathic Medicine and Surgery, became the University of Osteopathic Medicine and the Health Sciences (UOMHS) in 1981.
The college of Podiatric Medicine and Surgery was the first podiatry school to be affiliated with an academic health science center and is one of nine podiatric medical schools in the nation.
In the College of Health Sciences, the charter class of the physician assistant program received the bachelor of science (B.S.) degree and the physician assistant certificate in 1983. The first graduates of the health care administration program received the master of science (M.S.) degree in 1986, and the first graduating class in the physical therapy program received the master of science in physical therapy (M.S.P.T.) degree in 1990.
In 1986, the ten-story, Clinic building opened, which offered primary care, medical specialties and ambulatory surgery. Adjacent to the Clinic is the 1,500-seat Olsen Medical Education Center. Renamed Des Moines University in 1999, DMU has completed some major changes to campus over the last decade. The former Science and Education Building, which was remodeled in 2002, was renamed Richard M. Ryan Hall in 2005, after the University’s 13th president. The Student Education Center (SEC) opened in 2005, replacing the former St. Joseph’s Academy building, and in 2006 the Munroe Building was remodeled to house two more classrooms. These changes reflect the needs of students and faculty, as the incoming class sizes have been increased for the osteopathic, podiatric, physician assistant and physical therapy programs. Along with enrollment numbers, entering GPAs have increased as well. As a state-of-the-art campus, today’s student uses technology in order to achieve a top-notch education. The Iowa Simulation Center for Patient Safety and Clinical Skills, which opened in 2007, allows students to develop and improve their diagnostic and clinical skills and patient care abilities using cutting edge technology.
With over 11,000 living alumni, Des Moines University has a vibrant history that continues to inspire. And as the second oldest osteopathic medical college in the United States, Des Moines University continues to prepare physicians and allied health care personnel for careers in the ever-changing field of medicine, while developing innovative programs to serve students and society.
A box of matches turned into a bonfire.
"When you do something, you should burn yourself completely, like a good bonfire leaving no trace of yourself." - Shunryu Suzuki
Here's to commitment to Dragonboat, and being MIA in Baguio! :(
Dozens of Greater Manchester’s faith and community leaders stood together against hatred as they signed a new statement pledging their commitment to encouraging strong, diverse communities.
Leaders, including GMP Chief Constable Ian Hopkins, Councillor Carl Austin-Behan, Lord Mayor of Manchester, Rt Revd David Walker, Bishop of Manchester, Mrs Sharon Bannister, President, Jewish Representative Council of Greater Manchester and Region, Mr Qadir Chohan, Chair, Manchester Council of Mosques and many others came together at Manchester Cathedral to sign the statement, created as a result of a rise in hate crimes following the EU referendum result.
Greater Manchester saw a 23 per cent increase in hate crime in the week after the country chose to leave the European Union at the end of June.
Chief Constable Ian Hopkins said: “I believe in a democratic society people should be safe, both from physical harm, but also from hatred. Sadly we are seeing a significant number of people across Greater Manchester being subjected to hate incidents and hate crimes. This is totally unacceptable. Today is an important step in uniting our communities and am pleased to see so many other influential people standing with us to end hate crime and discrimination.
“This statement very clearly reinforces our commitment to encouraging inclusive communities, whilst recognising the difference people bring to Greater Manchester that help make it such a wonderful place. It is also, however, a very strong message to those who go against this – there is absolutely no place for hatred or discrimination in Greater Manchester. We will do all we can to take action against anyone who commits hate crimes.”
Faith Leaders’ Secretary, Canon Steve Williams, said: “The speed with which Faith Leaders acted shows how serious we consider the situation to be. But it also shows that people in our communities want to make a positive difference – to support people who’ve suffered in this way, and to promote good-news stories of acts of kindness and inclusion that build bridges, not barriers.”
The statement is part of GMP’s We Stand Together’ campaign which encourages people to come together as one and celebrate their differences in order to build safer and stronger communities.
It was signed at an event hosted by the Diocese of Manchester on Tuesday, 12 July, which saw speeches from Chief Constable Ian Hopkins, the Dean, Bishop David Walker, The Lord Mayor and the Police and Crime Commissioner.
Anyone who experiences hate crime is encouraged to report it by calling the police on 101, Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or using the True Vision website (www.report-it.org.uk).
To find out more about Greater Manchester Police please visit www.gmp.police.uk
You should call 101, national non-emergency number, to report crime and other concerns that do not require an emergency response.
Always call 999 in an emergency, such as when a crime is in progress, violence is being used or threatened or where there is danger to life.
You can also call anonymously with information about crime to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Crimestoppers is an independent charity who will not want your name, just your information. Your call will not be traced or recorded and you do not have to go to court or give a statement.
June 9, 2016 – Ottawa – National Defence / Canadian Armed Forces
As part of the Government of Canada’s commitment to honour the service of our women and men in uniform, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau today visited Canadian Forces Base Borden to participate in the unveiling of the new Borden Legacy Monument, part of the CFB Borden Centennial Celebrations.
The monument is a gift from the local communities of Simcoe County to honour the two million sons and daughters of Canada who have trained at CFB Borden over the last 100 years. It will continue to pay tribute to the over 20,000 sailors, soldiers and aviators per year who train at the base to serve this country.
During the unveiling, an urn containing battlefield soil patriated from Vimy, France, was enshrined in a niche in the monument. More than 66,000 Canadians made the ultimate sacrifice in the First World War, including at the Battle of Vimy Ridge.
Quotes
“Today, we all come together to take part in these centennial celebrations, united in common purpose. The Borden Legacy Monument is a fitting honour to those who serve in uniform to protect our values and way of life at home and abroad.”
Rt. Hon. Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada
“The monument unveiled at Borden today, during the Centennial celebrations, is a longstanding symbol of honour and remembrance bestowed upon all the women and men who wear the uniform in service to Canada. It demonstrates one community’s proud commitment to and passion for the Canadian Armed Forces.”
Harjit S. Sajjan, Defence Minister
“On behalf of the men and women of the Canadian Armed Forces, I am honoured by this gift to CFB Borden. Those involved in the Legacy Project, led by Honorary Colonel Jamie Massie, have thereby shown the greatest respect to our military personnel – those who have come before, who are here today, and who will serve Canada in the future.”
General Jonathan Vance, Chief of the Defence Staff
Quick Fact
The battlefield soil was retrieved from Vimy, France, in June 2015, during a ceremony attended by Lawrence Cannon, Canadian Ambassador to France, a delegation from Simcoe County, members from Base Borden, French Forces, and the Vimy Foundation.
docs.simcoe.ca/ws_cos/idcplg?IdcService=GET_FILE&Revi...
Article by: Bob Bruton, Barrie Examiner Mon. Dec. 15, 2014.
Canadians who have gone to war during the last century, and those who will go in the next one, will be honoured by a new monument at the Angus gate of Canadian Forces Base Borden.
“What I want to do is pay honour to the history to the people who served our country 100 years ago,” said Honourary Col. Jamie Massie, of the Borden Legacy Project. “And a 100 years from now I want soldiers to go through those gates and to be motivated and inspired by this monument.
“To me it's about being Canadian and serving the Canadian Forces.”
CFB Borden's 100th anniversary is 2016, when a century ago, the base was training soldiers for the First World War.
Massie, who spoke to Barrie city council Monday night about the legacy project, noted many of the Canadian troops who went overseas from 1916 until 1918 were trained at Borden – where the original training trenches were restored in 2011.
“You go look at these trenches and how they trained, their optimism about going there,” he said, “and then they show up there and ended up with these absolutely devastating conditions of battle.”
Many who trained at Borden also fought at the Battle of Vimy Ridge, April 9-12, 1917, when 15,000 Canadian infantry overran the Germans, but with a terrible toll – 3,598 soldiers killed and 7,000 wounded (Canadian War Museum, Tim Cook).
It was that battle which changed Canada from a British colony into a nation, as noted by Gen. Arthur Currie, commander of the Canadian Corps during the latter part of the war.
And Massie said it's only fitting that the monument contain Currie's words.
“To those who fall I say, 'You will not die, but step into immortality. Your mothers will not lament your fate, but will have been proud to have borne such sons. Your names will be revered for ever and ever by your grateful country, and God will take you unto Himself.'”
Massie also has a personal connection to Vimy Ridge. His grandfather fought there with the 48th Highlanders and lost his left leg during the battle
“He lay bleeding in the mud for 18 hours before they picked him up. Then they took him and they cut his leg off,” Massie said.
His father also trained at Borden and served in the Second World War.
The monument will include soil from the Vimy battlefield, with the French government's permission, that Massie himself will travel to France next June to collect along with other dignitaries.
“It (the soil) represents not just the DNA of those 3,500 who died and 7,000 wounded, but represents the repatriation of Canadian soldiers, who were lost and buried and forgotten,” said Massie. “To me the monument will inspire and motivate because we are living to the standard that Gen. Currie promised his troops, that we wouldn't forget them.”
The monument will be created by Marlene Hilton Moore, a local artist who creates public art with striking human figures and architectural forms, along with personal art in on-going exhibitions in galleries and museums.
Her Borden Legacy Project will include walls of highly polished black granite, wings of white granite and a First World War bugler. Beyond the bugler will be a contemplation area, nestled among maple trees and four, black, polished granite benches.
“The idea is to create a place where. . .you can have a very quiet and beautiful place to sit and contemplate the meaning of the monument,” Hilton Moore said.
“It will be a reflection point, a chance to think of how lucky we are to have the freedom that we have,” Massie said.
The monument will be paid for with privately donated funds, and Massie said most of the money has already been raised.
“This is an opportunity for our community to say thank you for 100 years,” he said. “All of these people have trained at the base and they have all done their part to bring us the freedom that we share, and we all live with freedom, we live with democracy and we have justice and rule of law, which is what makes us Canadian.”
Base Borden is also an economic driver in the community, with 950 soldiers who work at Base Borden that live in Barrie with their families.
On June 1, 2016 some of the Vimy soil will be left with Barrie's Cenotaph, when it's relocated in Memorial Square. The Vimy soil will then be marched back to Base Borden on a gun carriage.
The Borden Legacy Project will be unveiled in mid-June 2016, marking the 100th anniversary of the founding of CFB Borden.
Soil from Vimy Ridge to be featured in Borden memorial
Nov. 2014, Barrie Advance Article by Laurie Watt
As the CFB Borden turns 100, Grey and Simcoe Foresters Major John Fisher unveiled a project to commemorate not only the base, but the local people who trained there and fought in the First World War.
Known as the Borden Legacy Project, the memorial –— designed by nationally acclaimed, local sculptor Marlene Hilton Moore –— will include some Vimy Ridge soil and serve as a gateway to restored trenches rediscovered a few years ago, just inside the base’s Angus gates.
“The legacy project is the creation and donation of a large, beautiful memorial tied into the Vimy trenches that have been restored. It’s a memorial to all those who’ve served since 1916,” Grey and Simcoe Foresters Maj. John Fisher said.
“Its two walls with inscriptions on them, are dark and light granite. They’re long and angled — a sculpture more than a chunk of rock. There’ll be a large bronze bugler on a base as well. The pathways to the back will lead into the Vimy trenches.
“It will be quite the emotive experience as you walk through this and into the woods and into the trenches, where the soldiers trained before they went over to France.”
Announced at the Spirit Catcher Awards gala in Barrie Tuesday night, the $400,000 project celebrates the link between the base and Barrie, where the Simcoe Foresters were based in the Mulcaster Street armoury.
Fisher recalled the historic night, Jan. 27, 1912, when Minister of Military and Defence Sir Sam Hughes announced a new base would be built on the Simcoe Pines Plain and a new armoury would be built in Queen’s Park in Barrie. The announcement occurred at a regimental dinner at the Queen’s Hotel and set in motion the construction of the armouries, which opened in 1915, and the base, which opened in 1916.
Fisher added the project will also celebrate the many men who fought and died in France.
“Thirty-six battalions left Barrie between mid-September and mid-November 1916 and they went to England and then broken up and sent into France,” said Fisher, recalling the 157th and 177th Simcoe Foresters and the 147th and 248th Grey Battalions.
The face of the project will be Leonard Webster, a Penetanguishene boy who went overseas as a captain with the 157th, the founding battalion of CFB Borden, and who died three days after arriving in Vimy.
Soil from Vimy Ridge to be featured in Borden memorial
Stan Howe
A new memorial is planned for the entrance to Base Borden. Major John Fisher presented the design, featuring an inscribed wall and a statue of a bugler.
Roddy Doyle's', The Commitments is now a musical in London and is playing at the Palace Theatre in Shaftesbury Avenue. This is 3 exposures with -1+ stops bracketing, then Photomatix for HDR and tonemapping treatment, and finally Photoshop for the finishing touches.
Sometimes he wondered if it was worth doing. Occasionally he doubted his motives. However, he never forgot where the journey started and where it would end. He would see this through. One way or the other.
DRAWSKO POMORSKIE TRAINING AREA, Poland--NATO allies train together during the preparation phase of Exercise Steadfast Jazz here Nov. 2. The U.S. Army is supporting Steadfast Jazz 13 with participation from the 173d IBCT(A), one of U.S. Army Europe’s forward-based combat brigades and the 1st Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, the U.S.-based ground force contribution to NATO Response Force 2014. Collectively, these forces represent the reinvigoration of U.S. participation in the NRF and the enduring U.S. commitment to NATO, Europe, and regional stability and prosperity. (U.S. Army photo by 1st Lt. Alexander Jansen/54th Engineer Bn)
16 March 2022 New York NY USA
Nordic ministers signing a commitment on a Green and Gender-Equal Nordic region:
Gry Haugsbakken, Statssekreterare Norge.
Thomas Blomqvist, Minister for Nordic Cooperation and Equality, Finland,
Eva Nordmark, Minister for Employment and Gender Equality, Sweden
Trine Bramsen, Minister for Transport and minister for Gender Equality, Denmark, Guðmundur Ingi Guðbrandsson, Minister of Social Affairs and the Labour Market, Iceland Sima Sami Bahous Executive Director of UN Women.
Photo: Pontus Höök/norden.org
RAF Vickers VC10 Aircraft
Victoria (ZA147 'Foxtrot') takes a shower before her next commitment; she still looks great, and her 'dance card' is usually full!
This is one of the last two RAF VC-10 aircraft of No. 101 Squadron receiving a final wash by the Serco wash team prior to her final sortie.
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On 26th September 2013 a great chapter of British aviation history closed when, after 47 years of exceptional service, the last flying Vickers VC10 K3 aircraft, ZA147, 'Foxtrot', took off from Royal Air Force Brize Norton and then landed into retirement at Bruntingthorpe Aerodrome in Leicestershire. This aircraft holds the record for the fastest ever flight of an airliner from London to Australia.
Until 26th September 2013, RAF Brize Norton maintained a fleet of VC10 as dual-role air transport and Air-to-Air Refuelling aircraft. In the AT role, the aircraft was used for troop carrying, with accommodation for 124 passengers and nine crew. Use of a large freight door in the rear cabin, on the forward left side, of the aircraft allows easy conversion of the aircraft into a dual-role passenger/freight or full-freight configuration. In its full-freight role, the cabin could hold up to 20,400kgs of palletised freight, ground equipment or vehicles, on its permanently strengthened floor. The aircraft could also be used for aero-medical evacuation, for which up to 68 stretchers may be fitted.
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© Crown Copyright 2013
Photographer: Paul Crouch - RAF Brize Norton Photographic Section
Image: Victoria Takes a Shower-1
From: www.raf.mod.uk/rafbrizenorton/
Note: The reuse of this file is limited, and is currently available under the MOD News Licence only, a link to which is published in the 'MOD copyright licensing information' document on the Ministry of Defence copyright licensing information page.
More info about RAF Brize Norton:
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Do you know what commitment means these days? Getting clarity, then getting rid of distractions. -Brendon Burchard #motivation #commitment
Commitment is what transforms a promise into reality. It is the words that speak boldly of your intentions. And the actions which speak louder than the words. It is making the time when there is none. Coming through time after time after time, year after year after year. Commitment is the stuff character is made of; the power to change the face of things. It is the daily triumph of integrity over skepticism.
WASHINGTON (January 24, 2023) Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas participates in a roundtable discussion with companies that have refugee hiring commitments in Washington, DC. (DHS photo by Tia Dufour)
The Commitment March - August 28, 2020, Lincoln Memorial, WDC].
To commemorate the 57th anniversary of the March on Washington, NaN and Rev. Al Sharpton held the Commitment March at the iconic Lincoln Memorial. It was hot as usually in August this day, but, the crowd swelled over the course of the day. The all-day event featured various speakers of all ages and from different walks of life. The theme of the event was "Get your foot off my neck!" which was a reference to the murder of George Floyd, which set off a flurry of protests and the activation of the Black Lives Matter movement across the country. However the BLM movement was focused on Washington DC - mainly around the White House where, then, President Trump resided. The event was peaceful but emotional for some.
Kenya: President Uhuru Kenyatta
"My Government commits to safeguarding the gains realized by women under our new robust Constitution, through enactment of appropriate legislation and formulation of policies. My Government continues to commit to the implementation and enforcement of these policies and legislation.... My Government further commits to ensuring effective monitoring of the implementation and enforcement of these policies and legislation and will also ensure the acceleration of the implementation of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action and the outcome of the 23rd Special session of the UN General Assembly. We also commit to allocating adequate resources towards gender equality and to strengthen … mechanisms for gender-sensitive budgeting. To ensure the economic empowerment of women, my Government will continue to refine the public procurement policy in order to ensure increased access for women to procurement opportunities. My Government will progressively address women’s access to decent work and address the gender wage gap. My Government is also committed to accelerating the implementation of the national policy for prevention and response to gender-based violence and the Prevention Against Domestic Violence Act; and will continue to engage men and boys in line with the HeForShe campaign. My Government continues to commit itself to eradicating all harmful practices, including Female Genital Mutilation and child marriages. We commit to ensuring women’s full and effective participation and equal opportunities for leadership at all levels of decision-making in political, economic and public life. We commit further to ensuring universal access to sexual and reproductive health as guaranteed by our Constitution and in accordance with the Beijing Declaratoin and Platform for Action. We commit to ensure equal access of quality education for boys and girls and to strengthen programmes aimed at encouraging and mentoring youth, especially women to pursue careers in science, technology, ICT, engineering and mathematics."
World leaders convene at the United Nations on 27 September 2015 for the “Global Leaders’ Meeting on Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment: A Commitment to Action” to personally commit to ending discrimination against women by 2030 and announce concrete and measurable actions to kick-start rapid change in their countries.
Read More: www.unwomen.org/en/news/stories/2015/9/press-release-glob...
Read every country's committment from the event: beijing20.unwomen.org/en/step-it-up/commitments
Photo: UN Women/Ryan Brown
Misty May-Treanor is one of the greatest players to ever set foot on a volleyball court. She works harder in practice than most people do in a tournament and still listens to her coaches without any Prima donna attitude whatsoever. I am lucky to have been able to see her play and realize just how special she is.
DRAWSKO POMORSKIE TRAINING AREA, Poland--Airborne Engineers from the 173rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), U.S. Army Europe, prepare for and execute a demolition range during the unit-level training preparation phase of Exercise Steadfast Jazz here Oct. 28. The U.S. Army is supporting Steadfast Jazz 13 with participation from the 173d IBCT(A), one of U.S. Army Europe’s forward-based combat brigades and the 1st Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, the U.S.-based ground force contribution to NATO Response Force 2014. Collectively, these forces represent the reinvigoration of U.S. participation in the NRF and the enduring U.S. commitment to NATO, Europe, and regional stability and prosperity. (U.S. Army photo by 1st Lt. Alexander Jansen/54th Engineer Bn)
People seldom see the halting and painful steps by which the
most insignificant success is achieved.
- Anne Sullivan
So, before you are tempted to give up or get discouraged,
remember all success is based on long term commitment, faith,
discipline, attitude and a few stepping stones along the
way. You might not like the stone you are on right now,
but it's sure to be one of the stones that lead to great
opportunities in the future.
- Jim Rohn
Donald Julian Reaves announced today that he will step down as chancellor of Winston-Salem State University (WSSU) effective December 31, 2014, or thereafter when a successor is in place.
Accompanied by his wife Deborah, Chancellor Reaves made the announcement to a gathering of university faculty, students and staff after having informed the WSSU Board of Trustees at its meeting earlier in the day.
“At the end of December I will be in the middle of the eighth year of my five-year commitment,” Reaves said jokingly. “Seriously though, I am truly thankful to have had the opportunity to serve the University and the community and I want to thank UNC Presidents Tom Ross and Erskine Bowles for giving me the opportunity to lead this institution. I also want to thank the members of the board of trustees with whom I have worked for their strong support, especially Board Chair Debby Miller. I also want to salute the wonderful faculty and committed staffs who serve this institution. For me, it has been an exceptional experience.”
Chancellor Reaves said that he struggled with the decision, but beginning in late 2012 has had conversations with UNC President Ross about his desire to step down as chancellor and return to the classroom, where he began his career in higher education 37 years ago. He will join the WSSU political science faculty as a full professor with tenure.
“Deciding to leave a job that you love is not easy,” Reaves explained. “Deborah and I have given this decision considerable thought and I have consulted widely about it. I also went back and read the speech that I gave at my installation to determine whether I had fulfilled the promises I made then. Though there is always work to be done, I feel that we have accomplished everything that I said and much more. So, having built a much firmer foundation for WSSU, it seems that now is a good time to move on.”
Chancellor Reaves said that his initial goals were incorporated into the University’s strategic plan and that he continues to be excited about the implementation of those efforts and the results. He is particularly proud of the improved outcomes for students, including significantly better retention and graduation results.
“Providing our undergraduate students with a quality education and preparing them for success in their careers and their communities is our primary mission,” Reaves said. “Graduating students is the business that we are in and I’m proud to say that business at WSSU is booming. Current statistics speak directly to what we have been able to accomplish.”
By raising admission standards three times beginning in 2007, the University has attracted better prepared students and that has impacted retention and graduation rates. The retention rate for first-year students climbed from 68 percent in 2006 to more than 80 percent in the 2011-2012 academic year. The graduation rate which stood at 36.5 at the end of the 2007-2008 year has improved to 45.5 percent for the most recent reporting period, and the number of students graduating has risen from 824 in the 2006-07 year to 1,556 for the most recent year, 2012-13, an increase of almost 89 percent.
“It is also important to note that progress was achieved despite major reductions in our state allocations,” Reaves added. “We did that by targeting our scarce resources on a single key objective and that was improved student outcomes.”
The fact that more has been done with less is reflected in data released from the UNC General Administration that shows that over the five-year period, from 2007 through 2012, per student spending at WSSU declined by almost 30 percent while degree production increased by more than 47 percent. Among the 16 UNC campuses, WSSU ranks number one on both of those percentage change measures.
Chancellor Reaves stated his strong belief that the University has benefited tremendously from its strict adherence to the goals and objective set forth in the strategic plan, Achieving Academic Distinction: The Plan for Student Success – 2010-2015, which include academic excellence and student success as the highest priorities. “Virtually every decision we make and every dollar we spend benefits from the guidance provided by the plan” Reaves noted.
Other derivatives of the strategic plan include:
•Reforming and implementing an undergraduate curriculum grounded in the liberal arts tradition and designed to prepare students to compete in the market-based global economy. At the core of the new curriculum is an emphasis on the development of the students’ ability to think critically, participate in rigorous analysis and creative problem solving, communicate effectively, and collaborate to effect results.
•Reducing the size of the student body to improve student preparedness and to align its size with available resources, including the capacity of the physical plant.
•The consolidation of the schools of business and economics, and education with the college of arts and sciences to generate savings, and to align projected spending with expectations about the resources that are likely to be available in an era of flat or declining enrollments.
•Expanding graduate education with the addition of doctoral programs in physical therapy and nursing.
•Raising the standards for tenure and promotion to improve the quality of the faculty.
•Developing a partnership with Forsyth Technical Community College which has led to the creation of the Dual Admission Program that provides students who were not admitted to WSSU with an opportunity to prepare themselves academically prior to matriculating directly to WSSU.
•Maintaining the athletic program at the NCAA Division II level, reducing significantly the resources that were allocated previously to athletics, and making them available to support academic priorities. An added bonus, the program has subsequently won 14 conference championships.
•Managing a $34 million reduction in state funding over five years without reducing fulltime faculty or course offerings.
•Improving the student experience through the development of a campus master plan that included the construction of the new Donald Julian Reaves Student Activities Center, the Martin-Schexnider Residence Halls, the renovation of Hill Hall for use as a Student Success Center, and the nearly complete acquisition of Bowman Gray Stadium and the surrounding 94-acre Civitan Park.
Reaves noted that while the list of accomplishments is impressive, his greatest satisfaction derives from the more subtle, less-quantifiable changes that have taken place, with an emphasis on what has occurred with regard to expectations.
“When I arrived in 2007, I encountered a culture of low expectations that was characterized by a belief that WSSU students could not succeed,” Reaves explained. “That belief prevailed among the faculty, the staff, and the various communities and even among our students and their parents. WSSU was viewed as an institution of last resort. All of that has changed. Today, there is a new spirit on the campus among the students and the faculty, as well as throughout the community. There is once again a genuine belief that a WSSU education can prepare students to compete and be successful in the marketplace. The success that we have enjoyed since changing the culture of the institution is by far the most rewarding aspect of my work and will undoubtedly have the greatest impact on the future of the students and of the institution.”
WSSU Board of Trustees Chair Debra Miller also spoke of Reaves’ leadership and said that because of the work he and his team had completed, the board accepted his decision with great regret.
“As a member of the Board of Trustees and as an alumna of WSSU, I am extremely proud to have had the opportunity to work with Chancellor Reaves,” said Miller. “Through his vision, his leadership, his commitment to academic excellence, his willingness to make difficult decisions such as establishing priorities among competing interests, his commitment to improve student outcomes, his hard work and that of the team that he assembled, this university has been transformed in virtually every respect. It is exciting to see the impact that the past seven years have had on our students and on the campus.”
Donald Reaves assumed his duties as chancellor in August 2007. Chancellor Reaves had previously served five years as Vice President for Administration and Chief Financial Officer at the University of Chicago, and he spent 14 years at Brown University where he held a number of senior positions including Executive Vice President for Finance and Administration and Chief Financial Officer. Prior to joining Brown University in 1988, Chancellor Reaves worked in Massachusetts state government where he held several positions including deputy assistant commissioner for budget and cost control at the Massachusetts Department of Public Welfare. Chancellor Reaves also spent 16 years in the classroom, 13 of which were at Northeastern University as a tenure-track and adjunct member of the political science department
A native of Cleveland, Ohio Chancellor Reaves earned his undergraduate degree from Cleveland State University and his Master’s and Doctoral degrees in political science and public administration from Kent State University.
While in Winston-Salem, Chancellor Reaves has served on numerous boards including the Novant Hospital Health Triad Region, Forsyth Futures, the Piedmont Triad Leadership Council, the Winston-Salem Alliance and the Josh and Marie Reynolds Hospital Guest House Board of Advocates. He also served on the advisory boards of the North Carolina Humanities Council and Wells Fargo Bank.
A crowd looks on as Latvian soldiers parade past during the Latvia Day festivities in Riga, Latvia, November 18, 2014 to mark the 96th year of the nation's independence. Spectators were treated to a speach by Latvian President Andris Bērziņš, a pass and review of Latvian and NATO allied partner soldiers, and vehicles, and a parade through the streets of old Riga. Soldiers from Company A, 2nd Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division marched in the parade honoring the contry's 96th year on indepence as part of the U.S. Army Europe-led Operation Atlantic Resolve land force assurance training taking place across Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland to enhance multinational interoperability, strengthen relationships among allied militaries, contribute to regional stability and demonstrate U.S. commitment to NATO. (U.S. Army Photo by Sgt. 1st Class Jeremy J. Fowler)
DRAWSKO POMORSKIE TRAINING AREA, Poland--Specialist Bryan J. Rushford, a healthcare specialist from U.S. Army Europe's 173rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), participates in round-robin field medical skills training with French and Polish army medical personnel here Oct. 29. The U.S. Army is supporting Steadfast Jazz 13 with participation from the 173rd IBCT(A), one of U.S. Army Europe’s forward-based combat brigades and the 1st Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, the U.S.-based ground force contribution to NATO Response Force 2014. Collectively, these forces represent the reinvigoration of U.S. participation in the NRF and the enduring U.S. commitment to NATO, Europe, and regional stability and prosperity. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. A.M. LaVey/173 ABN PAO)
WINSTON-SALEM —The N.C. Department of Transportation has named the winner of the Brent Hamilton Excellence Award. NCDOT Division 9 Business Officer Willie Bradwell, Jr. was recognized by his peers during today’s Board of Transportation meeting as this years’ honoree.
Division 9 Engineer Pat Ivey said, “Bradwell was the perfect choice for the reward in part because of his thorough knowledge of financial and accounting principles and the highest level of professional competence and ethical standards.”
Bradwell began his career at NCDOT in November 1995 as the Division 9 accounting technician and has served as the division business officer since 2000. Prior to coming to NCDOT, he worked with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Florida State University.
Division 9 Board Member Jake Alexander said, "His commitment to the highest integrity has been noticed by all who work with him, myself included. Mr. Bradwell is consistently a good steward of taxpayer dollars. He helps counties keep a balanced inventory by researching issues himself and works to help the field achieve the goals set in place by our Division and by the staff in Raleigh. Willie is indeed an excellent choice for this Award."
While Mr. Bradwell’s main focus is on Division 9, his expertise is sought out on many statewide projects and various workgroups. He provides guidance and assistance to other Divisions and is held in very high regard by many of his colleagues across the state as evidenced by the following comments compiled for this nomination:
•Kathy Walker (Division 7) - “After I became the business officer, Willie physically came to Division 7 and showed me how to research to see where we had funds. He walked me through the process of creating funding documents. He showed me how to reconcile the overdrafts. He walked me through the process of allocating funds. He brought copies of his personal notes that he thought would be helpful. He has assisted me when I had inventory questions. He has shared excel spreadsheet formats that he has come up with that he thought would be beneficial to me. He has always been very patient and kind. Willie always has time for me and I will forever be thankful for him.”
•Melissa Dorman (NCDOT Financial Services Division) - “I think Willie is an excellent candidate for the Brent Hamilton award. In Fiscal, Willie is viewed as a business officer who is always on top of things. He is well respected and knowledgeable and always asks questions to ensure that his Division is operating properly. I have heard several Highway Division business officers make the statement that if they needed to know how to tackle a new situation; they would contact Willie for advice and to see how he would handle the same matter in his Division.”
•Fred Little (Division 6) - “Going back to my days as an accountant in the State Project Funding Unit (SPFU) of Accounting Operations (AO), I worked with and came to know all 14 Business Officers (BO), one of whom was Willie Bradwell. Although each had his/her own unique way of doing business in a unique division office, Willie stood out as the business officers’ business officer. Anytime I wanted to contact all B.O.s as a group, I would ask Willie to proof what I had to say for accuracy, clarity and relevance. And, when I sought the opinion of any one B.O., I would always seek out Willie for his candor and insight. Seven years ago, I became a B.O. myself, here in Fayetteville with Division 6. I immediately reached out to Willie for guidance. He took me in like he had gotten a new job, too, i.e. training Fred. I drove the two-plus hours to Winston-Salem twice to work hands-on with Willie and his uncommonly-capable Accounting Tech, Joy Ogburn. Together, they went over literally everything I would come to know as duties of a B.O. After that, I have continued (to this day) to call or email Willie for help or advice. If he is unavailable, I know he will get back to me ASAP. When I joined the SPFU, I got to know Brent Hamilton as she was preparing to leave AO, and working only part time. Because of my deep admiration for Brent’s integrity and dedication, her tireless efforts on behalf of our stakeholders, and her cheerful spirit, I take seriously an award in her memory. While there will not be another Brent Hamilton, I can truly say that Willie Bradwell’s traits of character model those set forth by Brent. I sincerely appreciate the opportunity to wholeheartedly endorse the nomination of my mentor and friend, Willie Bradwell Jr.”
•Keith Rudd (NCDOT Fiscal) “You may know, I work in the State Project Funding Unit of Fiscal in Raleigh. Willie and I have worked together for years. Willie has helped me countless times (too numerous to mention) with Division 9 financial issues concerning WBS elements, overdrafts, funding, etc. Some of our problems resolved through the years have been very complex, and required working together through several steps before the issue can be resolved. Willie has always been very courteous, friendly, and professional in all of our communications. Not only that his knowledge and experience are a value and asset to me and surely his fellow Division 9 coworkers. To be quite honest, Willie is so knowledgeable in his work, that whenever he calls with a question or a problem, it sort of worries me, because I think, ‘What can I possibly know that he doesn’t already know, to be asking me about it?’. Ha, ha, ha. But, when he does, we always work through it, and come up with a solution/answer to his question. I truly enjoy working with him, and it is always a pleasure to do so. I think Willie is very deserving of this award.”
The Brent Hamilton Excellence in Financial Management and Integrity Award is intended to recognize significant dedication and hard work to the betterment of financial services and operations within business units throughout the Department. Someone worthy of this award embodies NCDOT’s commitment to trustworthiness, always tries to do what’s right, even in difficult circumstances, and demonstrates integrity in all dealings, personal and professional.
The award will be given annually to an NCDOT employee demonstrating exemplary dedication to financial services and functions, increasing financial accountability, providing excellent stewardship of public dollars, and a being role model for adherence to ethical standards.
The award is named in honor of former Fiscal Manager Brent Hamilton. Brent was admired for her dedication to financial work and for her courage and strength during her long battle with cancer.
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"Commitment is what transforms a promise to reality."
~ Anonymous
This is one of my orchid cactus in my balcony garden...
Thanks for stopping by
and God Bless,
hugs, Chris
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