New England District Change of
Command Embodies History,
Tradition and Accomplishments
Story on page 18
New England District Change of
Command Embodies History,
Tradition and Accomplishments
Story on page 18
2
YANKEE ENGINEER
August 2011
YANKEE ENGINEER is an authorized unofcial Army newspaper under provisions of AR 360-1 published monthly. Views and
opinions expressed are not necessarily those of the Department of the Army. Contributions from readers are solicited, but publica-
tion depends on judgment of the editor. No payment will be made for contributions. Published by the Public Affairs Ofce, New
England District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, 696 Virginia Road, Concord MA 01742-2751, 978-318-8777. Printed by the offset
method on recyclable paper by the Defense Printing Ofce in Boston, Mass. Circulation 1600. The YANKEE ENGINEER can
be found on the World Wide Web at http://www.nae.usace.army.mil/news/yankee.htm. ON THE COVER: Brig. Gen. Peter DeLuca,
North Atlantic Division Commander, passes the Corps ag to Col. Charles Samaris during the Change of Command Ceremony.
District Commander: Col. Charles P. Samaris
Chief, Public Affairs: Larry B. Rosenberg
Editor: Ann Marie R. Harvie
Media Relations Ofcer: Timothy J. Dugan
Public Affairs Specialist: Sally M. Rigione
Web Content Manager: Andrew Stamer
Student Intern: Jess Levenson
Yankee
Voices
…to Col. Tom Feir, former New
England District Commander,
and his family on the passing
of his father, Maj. Gen. Philip T.
Feir, July 14.
… to the family of Planning Di-
vision retiree Leo Milette, who
passed away July 16. In addition
to his service to the Corps, Mr.
Milette was also a Staff Sergeant
in the U.S. Air Force during World
War II, where he was stationed
in Guam.
...to Distinguished Civilian Gal-
lery Member and Westover Area
Ofce retiree Jim Leonard on
the passing of his wife, Lillian,
July 26.
… to the family of John I. Winmill,
recent Construction Division
retiree, who passed away sud-
denly Aug. 2. He worked for the
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in
Concord and Ft. Devens for 35
years, retiring as the N.E. Area
Engineer.
He served as a Captain in
the U.S. Army Corps of Engi-
neers during the Vietnam War
and was stationed there and
in Germany. Mr. Winmill was
awarded the Bronze Star Medal.
Sympathy
Don’t take chances with kids’ car seats
Strapping one’s child into the car seat is a regular task for most parents. Un-
fortunately, even very small children are able to unbuckle themselves, leading to
distracted parents behind the wheel – and car accidents.
Researchers at the Yale School of Medicine surveyed 378 parents; slightly
over half reported that at least one of their children had successfully unbuckled
their seat belt while in a car seat one or more times. Children as young 12 months
were able to extricate themselves, and 75 percent of kids were three years old or
younger. Boys were more likely than girls to unbuckle themselves (59 percent of
boys, as opposed to 42 percent of girls).
More than 40 percent of kids who “freed” themselves did so while the vehicle
was moving. The distraction to parents, as they pull over, reprimand their children,
and then buckle them in again, increases the chance of serious injury 3.5 times. So
be sure to double-check that your child’s seat is installed property, and that children
are fastened securely. (First Draft Magazine)
Coffee: Good for more than waking up early
That cup of coffee that gets you going in the morning, or keeps you energetic in
the afternoon, may have some positive health benets. Though no one is recom-
mending massive doses of caffeine, coffee in moderation may be good for more
than just keeping you awake and alert. Here’s a look at some of the research:
- Gallstones. Some scientists believe that drinking coffee may reduce a person’s
risk of developing gallstones by stimulating gallbladder contractions and lowering
concentrations of cholesterol in bile.
- Kidney stones. Studies have suggested that coffee consumption (regular
or decaf) cuts a person’s chances of developing kidney stones by as much as 10
percent.
- Diabetes. Research involving more than 450,000 patients indicates that
drinking four cups of coffee or tea a day may reduce one’s risk of Type 2 diabetes
by 25-35 percent.
Just don’t go overboard. Doctors recommend drinking no more than 24 ounces
of coffee a day. That’s four 6-oz. cups. (First Draft Magazine)
Joan Gardner, Tara Feir and Larry Rosenberg
YANKEE ENGINEER
August 2011
3
Commander's Corner:
A message of gratitude!
by Col. Charles P. Samaris
District Commander
Teammates...
It’s great to be back in New
England! This is the rst time
I’ve been home for longer than
ten days since escaping frosty
Methuen for tropical University
of Miami in the fall of 1983. I
greatly appreciate how warmly
you’ve welcomed your wandering
native son.
As I’ve mentioned before, it is
truly an honor to be here. I am both excited by the wonder-
ful opportunity and humbled by the awesome responsibility
to serve the New England region (my home). As such, the
purpose of my rst entry in the Yankee Engineer is to express
my sincere gratitude to you, those I serve.
First, I want to thank all of you who performed beyond
the call of duty to plan and execute such a professional,
and memorable, Change of Command Ceremony. From
the Color Guard to the band, and from those “out front” to
those “behind the scenes,” your contributions resulted in a
rst-class event. Well done!
Next, I want to thank everyone willing to commit a bit
of their most precious resource – time - to participate in the
ceremony. We appreciate the presence of our distinguished
military leaders, civilian ofcials, partner agencies, USACE
alumni, and many, many others. You truly enrich the fabric
of our organization.
Finally, I want to thank all the members of the New
England District who made this transition of commanders
very smooth and very, very educational.
Many thanks to: Col. Tom Feir who allowed me full
access to the entire District for the two weeks prior to the
change of command; the leadership team who provided
insightful briengs and educational site visits; and -- most
importantly -- each and every member of the District team…
especially those willing to openly discuss what they do and
how they do it when I unexpectedly stuck my head in their
cubicle and asked, “so, what do you do?”
I look forward to exciting times ahead…so, let’s have
some fun, get the job done, and make an impact.
Essayons! Building Strong!
The U.S. Air Force Band of Liberty plays
patriotic musical selections during the
Change of Command Ceremony, July 29.
Go to the story on page 18 to read more
about the ceremony and to see more
photos.
Hitting every note
Photo by C.J. Allen
4
YANKEE ENGINEER
August 2011
Residents young and old and
members of the West Hill Dam team
past and present gathered at the
project to mark the 50
th
anniversary of
the dam’s opening and share stories
about the ood events that would lead
to the construction of the federal ood
control project.
Project Manager Merlon Bassett
welcomed the audience and introduced
the participants for the day’s program.
Bassett said that the priority of the dam
was ood risk management. “But we
also provide service to the community
in the form of recreation and outdoor
opportunities,” he said.
Eugene Peloquin was a Scout
Master in Woonsocket, R.I., during the
Flood of 1955 and shared some of his
memories of that time. He said that he
was 22 years old living in the Social
District of Woonsocket at the time of the
ooding. According to him, that section
of Woonsocket was impacted the most.
“We were a great community,” he said.
He talked about Hurricanes Con-
nie and Diane and the toll they took on
Rhode Island. “They left their mark not
so much by the wind, but by the water,”
he recalled.
Peloquin said that the Corps had
monitored the water the entire time and
kept in contact with state and local of-
cials about the situation. “They called
up the Mayor of Woonsocket, Kevin
Coleman, on Friday, Aug. 19, 1955 and
told him to prepare for the worst ood
in the area's history,” he said.
The ood survivor recalled the
evacuations and the ooding that oc-
curred. He remembered that all the
federal, state and local ofcials were
all called on duty to help prepare for
the emergency. “The embankment of
Horseshoe Falls Dam gave way, send-
ing a 20 foot wall of water that cascaded
and engulfed the Social District under
seven feet of water,” he said.
Many people and pieces of equip-
ment were on hand to help with the
clean up once the water receded.
“Hundreds and hundreds of folks,
trucks, bulldozers, forklifts, you name
it. Everybody was chipping in and
West Hill Dam celebrates 50th anniversary during ceremony
Aerial view of West Hill Dam. Workers begin construction of the dam.
Historical file photos.
YANKEE ENGINEER
August 2011
5
helping,” he said.
Peloquin said that, thankfully, no
one in the Woonsocket area died in
the Flood of 1955. He thanked Park
Ranger Viola Bramel and the staff at
West Hill Dam for educating the public
about its history. “You know, people
from the Woonsocket and Pawtucket
area didn’t know as much about West
Hill Dam as we should,” he said. “But
because of Viola, Merl and the rest of
the staff, we got to know a lot more
about the good work that you do.”
Peloquin called the Corps of Engi-
neers “Woonsocket’s Noah’s Ark.” “You
helped us get ready for the Flood of
1955, then you worked with the city to
build wonderful local ood control proj-
ects and West Hill Dam, and you have
sheltered us in Woonsocket from oods
all these years,” he said. “Thank you.”
Raymond Bacon, former Boy Scout
and Assistant Scout Master during the
oods and current Assistant Director
of the Museum of Work and Culture in
Woonsocket, also shared memories of
the ood and West Hill Dam. Bacon
was 18 years old at the time. “I was
a soda jerk and made things like ice
cream sundaes and frappes,” he said.
The day of the ood, Bacon went to
work and his boss told him to remove
all the contents of the basement to the
rst oor in conservative anticipation
of the rising waters. “By 3 p.m. that
afternoon the authorities came in and
told us we had to evacuate,” he said.
“We walked out of the store and on the
sidewalk were rowboats, high and dry.
It was all very confusing.”
Bacon recalled going home, chang-
ing, and returning later with friends. “We
were standing on the corner of Clinton
and Cumberland St., and we could see
the water,” he said.
A policeman who knew Bacon and
his friends recruited them to help with
the evacuation process. “He asked us
to go up and down the street and knock
on doors to get people to get out,” he
recalled. “By the time we came back,
we were waist high in water.”
Brig. Gen. Alden Sibley, New England Division Engineer, at the ground breaking ceremony in 1959. Merlon Bassett served as
Master of Ceremonies for the 50th Anniversary event. Roy Henry talked about his experiences during the 1995 Flood.
Historical Photo. Current photos by C.J. Allen.
The New England District Color Guard posted and retired the
Colors during the 50th anniversary celebration.
The Blackstone Valley Community Concert Band played patriotic musical selections and music from the 1960s during the celebration.
Photo by C.J. Allen
Continued on next page
6
YANKEE ENGINEER
August 2011
Bacon said that when the water
receded, he and his friends returned
to what was left of the Social District,
received medical shots and began the
task of cleaning up. “In August, the
overwhelming aspect wasn’t just the
silt and debris that was left behind, but
the overwhelming stench,” he recalled.
“That’s something I’ll never forget. It’s
a sensation that can’t be captured on
lm or in a photograph.”
The speaker recalled that every-
thing had to be condemned, every-
thing had to go. “I remember seeing
workers at the local supermarket with
gas masks on throwing away all the
rotted meat,” he said. “While we were
cleaning out the drug store we would
smash the bottles of perfume to help
with the smell. The destruction of the
community is indescribable. You’d have
to have lived through it to really know.”
Bacon told the audience that there
has never been a ood like the one
that all but destroyed his community.
He credited the Corps’ warnings and
Mayor Coleman’s foresight to call the
emergency the day before the event
that saved lives. He also credited the
building of the West Hill Dam for no
similar disasters. “Thank God for this
place,” he said referring to West Hill.
Roy Henry was just a youth when
the ood occurred. He recalled watch-
ing the West River take out the back of
the Wakatuck Mill. “All of the machin-
ery, dyes and acids came oating out
the back and up against the wooden
bridge,” he said. “It was just awesome
to see.”
Henry concluded with a tale of the
resourcefulness of the ood victims.
“Four days into the ood, it was my
birthday,” he recalled. “I didn’t think I
was going to have a birthday. Every-
one was busy with the oods and the
electricity was out. We had an electric
stove, so that wasn’t working, so there’d
be no birthday cake. But my folks had a
little Kerosene heater. I got my birthday
cake because my mother cooked it on
the heater for me.”
Jan Reitsma, Executive Director of
the John H. Chafee Blackstone River
Valley National Heritage Corridor fol-
lowed Henry. He thanked the Corps of
Engineers for being a long time partner
to his agency. “The persistent determi-
nation by the Army Corps to help solve
problems takes a lot of time, money
and effort,” he said. “We have been
learning about what it takes to clean
up the West River and we’ve made a
lot of progress.”
Reitsma also thanked Bramel for
taking the lead on the celebration and
also Barbara Dixon from his staff for
her assistance in making the event
possible.
After Reitsma’s remarks, Bassett
recognized John Clarkin, the rst Proj-
ect Manager of West Hill Dam, his wife,
Theresa, and his daughter, Sharon,
as well as original Assistant Project
Manager Jack Dwyer, who were in at-
West Hill Dam celebrates 50th anniversary during ceremony
Continued from previous page
Merlon Bassett, current Project Manager, stands with former Assistant Project Manager Jack Dwyer and former Project
Manager John Clarkin before a tour of the West Hill Dam during the 50th anniversary.
Event participants watch living history videos of 1955 Flood survivors during the 50th anniversary celebration.
Photos by C.J. Allen
YANKEE ENGINEER
August 2011
7
tendance. He thanked them for their
dedication to the project and all of their
hard work over the years.
Bramel took to the podium and
talked about the time capsule that
the West Hill Dam was compiling and
displayed some of the items donated.
She invited participants to view the
living histories that she and her team
spent compiling over the past ve years,
to include one from Mayor Coleman.
The event moved from the ceremo-
nial tent to the dam for a reenactment
of the dedication ceremony. Attendees
to include the Clarkin’s, Dwyer and the
ood survivors were asked to pour
clean water from recycled bottles into
the river.
Event participants were then in-
vited to partake in the cake cutting cer-
emony, conducted by Sharon Clarkin.
As she did 50 years ago, Ms. Clarkin
also enjoyed the rst piece of cake.
The New England District Color Guard
-- Joe Faloretti, Steven Patchkofsky,
Jenn Samela, Reese Piper and Jason
Robinson -- posted and retired the
Colors during the ceremony.
Pastor John Wescott of the Ux-
bridge Church of the Nazarene per-
formed the invocation. The church
pastor at the time said the original
invocation 50 years ago.
The Blackstone Valley Community
Concert Band provided patriotic music
and music from 50 years ago through-
out the event.
The West Hill Dam team who
worked on putting the event together
were: Bassett, Bramel, Park Rang-
ers Christine Renzoni, Brad Walley
Eric Buckley, Andrew Labonte; Project
Operator Joseph Zanca; SCA interns
Marion Wing and Luke Beasley; and
work camper volunteers Carly and
Stanley Buttrick; Nell and Richard Reed
and Joseph and Charlotte Meynard.
The West Hill Dam on the West
River in Uxbridge, Mass., was com-
pleted in 1961 at a cost of $2.3 million.
It has prevented damages of more than
$69.7 million.
More than 90,000 annual visitors
enjoy recreational opportunities such
as picnicking, swimming, hiking, shing,
and hunting.
For information and current events,
upcoming programs or shelter reserva-
tions, call the Team at 508-347-3705
or visit the website at www.nae.usace.
army.mil/recreati/whd/whdhome.htm.
Historical panels from five decades line the walkway at West Hill Dam.
John Clarkin readies to pour water into the West River during the rededication portion of the ceremony.
Park Ranger Viola Bramel displays a picture that will go into the West Hill Dam time capsule.
8
YANKEE ENGINEER
August 2011
When Adam Burnett, Engineering/Planning, volunteered
to deploy overseas to assist the Corps in its Overseas Con-
tingency Operations, he had no idea he would be directly
touching the lives of the youngest casualties of war.
With the help of elementary students from the Flor-
ence Roche Elementary School in Groton, Mass., Burnett
organized a school supply drive to support the Corps of
Engineers volunteer “Operation Back Pack Drop,” to benet
Afghan orphans.
The idea came to Burnett when his son, Alexander, and
his second grade classmates asked him what they could
do to help. They had been writing to Burnett to keep his
spirits up while he was away from home, but they wanted
to do more. He thought of the Afghan children and decided
he would like to help them. “At the time I didn’t know that
the Corps had a group -- the Capacity Development Group
(CDG) -- that did things like drives for kids,” said Burnett.
“But I knew if we collected goods to donate, we would be
able to nd someone who could use them.”
It was during the drive that Burnett learned of the CDG
and that they were organizing a much larger drive called
“Operation Back Pack Drop,” that would benet a nearby
orphanage, the Ostad Khalil Ullah Khalili Orphans Education
Center. The Center is an all-boys facility, assisting children
ages 5 to 18 years. “I contacted them to let them know what
I was doing,” said Burnett. “It turns out that others were
doing the same, so we decided to combine all of our efforts
for Operation Back Pack Drop.”
Burnett and the school collected items for the Center that
included pens, pencils, crayons, notebooks, sketchbooks,
and erasers. There was also a large amount of toys donated
to include puzzles, games, building toys, soccer balls, trucks,
and of course lots and lots of stuffed animals. “The stuffed
toys were very popular with the little ones,” said Burnett.
While Burnett was on an R&R break in between deploy-
ments, he returned home and visited the school to give a
presentation to the students on what the Corps was accom-
plishing in Afghanistan, to thank them for their support, and
to collect the donations generated from the drive. “I took
everything home, boxed it all up and mailed it to myself in
Afghanistan,” said Burnett with a slight laugh. “I beat the
boxes back.”
When all of the boxes arrived and the CDG were ready
to receive them, Burnett handed the donations to Maj. Erica
Iverson, Chief of Capacity Development/Synchronization
and Initiatives Group, and team members Jeffrey Collins
Burnett makes a difference in the lives of Afghani orphans
Adam Burnett places a backpack on the shoulders of an Afghani orphan during Operation Backpack Drop.
9
YANKEE ENGINEER
August 2011
and Mustafa Kanishka.
After working long hours during the day and often into
the evening hours, Burnett and other volunteers would un-
pack boxes, sort goods and stuff backpacks until they had
160 – enough for all of the orphans. “It took a while to do
because there really isn’t a lot of down time, but we nally
got everything ready to take to the kids,” said Burnett.
The CDG arranged for the trip to the orphanage, and
Burnett was part of the group that went to pass out the
backpacks and toys. According to Burnett, the trip was an
emotional one. “It’s so hard to put into words,” he said. “It
was denitely a good feeling to be able to help any way we
could. But there was a very sad aspect to it. These children
all had tragic stories, and many showed marks of having
survived something terrible.”
The children were happy to get the backpacks and toys,
but some of them became very emotional. “We gave the
kids the backpacks and the toys and some of them started
crying because those toys reminded them of better times
with their families,” said Burnett. “Some had just arrived and
they were still traumatized. It takes a long time for them to
get over that.”
Burnett said the children’s instructors were thrilled with
the donation. “They were always trying to come up with ways
to purchase supplies, so they were very grateful,” he said.
When his tour in Afghanistan was over, Burnett returned
to the Florence Roche Elementary School to give a Memorial
Day presentation and to express the orphanage’s apprecia-
tion for their donations. “I talked about all the good work
the military was doing overseas and what the Corps was
doing to help rebuild the country,” said Burnett. “I also talked
about the good work the children did in lifting the spirits of
children less fortunate than themselves. I encouraged them
to write to the servicemen and women who are overseas
the way they wrote to me. That was an amazing thing. It
really helps you stay connected.”
Adam Burnett deployed for eight months to Afghanistan
and served as a Project Manager for the Afghan National
Policy Program. While there, he oversaw dozens of construc-
tion projects, to include border patrol stations and uniformed
police headquarters.
Burnett was one of three returned New England District
employees honored during a Deployment Welcome Home
Ceremony held on July 19 in the Concord Park Cafeteria.
Photos by Mustafa Kanishka
Children of the Ostad Khalil Ullah Khalili Orphans Education Center are all smiles after receiving their backpacks and toys.
Adam Burnett and son Alexander get ready to ship donations overseas to Afghanistan.
Photo by Karen Burnett
10
YANKEE ENGINEER
August 2011
Lt. Col. Steven Howell, Deputy District Commander,
hosted a Deployment Welcome Home Ceremony to honor
New England District volunteers who recently returned from
Iraq and Afghanistan, July 19 in the Concord Park cafeteria.
Lt. Col. Howell honored three employees who served
overseas supporting the Corps of Engineers’ Overseas
Contingency Operations.
Adam Burnett and Patricia Bolton, both from Engineering/
Planning, and William “Bud” Taylor,
Programs/Project Management, all
received Commander’s Awards for
Civilian Service.
Burnett (Afghanistan) and
Bolton (Iraq) served from October
2010 to May 2011. Taylor (Afghani-
stan) served from August 2010 to
June 2011.
The three volunteers received
the awards for performing their
duties in an outstanding manner in
support of the overseas mission.
“Their courage and competence
during their volunteered support
captures the essence of the Dis-
trict’s motto, ‘Building Strong,’”
read Lt. Col. Howell during the
ceremony.
Each volunteer also received
a New England District Bunker Hill
plaque, a monetary award, and a
New England District baseball cap.
District overseas volunteers honored at Welcome Home Ceremony
After the ceremony, the volunteers afxed their nameplates
to the New England District’s Deployment Board located
in the Building 2 hallway. Burnett’s wife, Karen, and son,
Alexander, were present at the event.
Overseas deployment opportunities abound for anyone
who is interested in an overseas adventure. Please contact
Rachel Fisher, Emergency Operations, for more information
on how to get involved.
Adam Burnett with his wife, Karen, and son Alexander at the Deployment Welcome Home Ceremony.
Lt. Col. Steven Howell presents Bud Taylor with a monetary award during the deployment
welcome home ceremony.
Patricia Bolton receives a Commander's Award and a Bunker Hill Plaque from Lt. Col. Howell.
Photos by Brian Murphy
YANKEE ENGINEER
August 2011
11
Story and Photo by Andrew Stamer
Public Affairs Ofce
More than 200 U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers employees are engaged in
recovery missions following the strike
of a tornado in Joplin, Mo.
Paul Gaudreau, a civil engineer
technician at the New England District’s
Cape Cod Canal, is among employees
providing aid to people impacted by
the tornado in Joplin. Gaudreau is a
quality assurance representative at one
of ve debris dump sites. He works at
a vegetative debris dump site, where
trees, shrubs and other yard waste
removed from the impacted area is
brought to be ground up for benecial
secondary use.
“When I rst got here, we were
working in an alley and a woman came
up to me and hugged me for cleaning
up all the debris,” Gaudreau said of his
mission on rst arrival to the city, where
he worked directly in the tornado zone.
“I looked her in the eye and said, ‘I’m
not looking at debris, I’m looking at
people’s lives.’”
His position now is oversight in the
dumping areas - checking that debris
removal trucks are full as they come
into the dump area and those leaving
are empty. “I try to be consistent with
my calls because I want to be fair to the
Corps, FEMA and the drivers,” he said.
The trucks are paid by the cubic yard of
debris dumped.
From the tower, he sees everything.
He’s the eyes of the last leg of the
debris removal process that will make
it possible for the city to rebuild in those
areas being cleared. He makes sure the
process gets done how it is supposed
to – for safety and the bottom dollar.
“If I see a safety issue, I point them
out to the driver. It could be a tire losing
tread or a load not properly balanced.
I also want the government to get its
money’s worth, that’s why I’m here,”
Gaudreau said.
New England District employee volunteers to assist in the
Joplin tornado recovery mission
This is not the rst time Gaudreau
has shown his seless service. He
spent three years in the Navy during
the Vietnam War in the early 1970s. He
served eight years in the Army Reserve
as a combat engineer during the Gulf
War before entering his current job at
the canal. “That got me set up to work
for the Corps,” he said. “And here I am.”
Gaudreau said he’s been to seven
or eight disasters doing this type of
work, and he will spend another week
in Joplin before returning home from
his 30-day tour.
“When it comes to working
disasters, I really enjoy helping the
people,” Gaudreau said. “I’m hoping to
come back or go to another disaster …
I guarantee that when I retire I’ll come
back and do it.”
“Paul couldn’t be a better guy to
work with,” said Chuck Berry, a quality
assurance representative who works
with Gaudreau. “He really cares about
what he’s doing.”
Paul Gaudreau estimates loads of debris to be dumped from the F-5 tornado that tore through Joplin, Mo., May 22.
12
YANKEE ENGINEER
August 2011
The Corps of Engineers 2011
Project Delivery Team that took top
honors for outstanding work has New
England ties.
Mike Tuttle, former New England
District Study Manager, who was the
Design Project Manager for the Afghani-
stan National Army Detention Facility
in Parwan (DFIP), was selected as the
USACE 2011 Project Delivery Team of
the Year.
The team received the honor at
this year’s Summer Leaders Confer-
ence Awards Dinner in New Orleans,
La., Aug. 1.
The Afghan National Detention
Facility is a $43 million state-of-the-art
facility located within Bagram Aireld
in Kabul, Afghanistan. The additional
detention units will hold 950 detainees
in accordance with Geneva Convention
requirements and in accordance with
Afghan customers and will institute a
program that emphasizes rehabilitation
and release.
“This PDT went above and beyond
to deliver this politically sensitive proj-
ect on time and under budget despite
the extreme time constraints, cultural
differences and heightened security
conditions,” said Col. Thomas Mag-
ness, former Commander, Afghanistan
Engineer District – North. “The rst
major facility at DFIP was delivered in
an astounding 180 days from Notice
to Proceed through a phased delivery
schedule.”
The PDT faced numerous chal-
lenges getting the project completed.
“Late arrival of funds, real estate con-
cerns, and a war time environment had
threatened to slow the execution pro-
cess,” said Tuttle, who is currently on a
three-year assignment with the Europe
District. “Regardless of the concerns, we
proceeded forward; gathering required
information to ensure the design-build
solicitation had sufcient information for
a successful project.”
In the end, Tuttle credited seamless
communication as the key to success-
fully meeting extremely aggressive
milestones in accordance with customer
requirements and delivery dates.
“We spent numerous hours together
for discussions, resolving and mitigat-
ing issues, conrming scoping process,
conning project schedules, identifying
preliminary project costs, conrming
conceptual design site building, layouts,
identifying design improvements and
conrming contract vehicles to assure
the aggressive schedule was met,”
Tuttle said.
Tuttle traveled from Germany to
New Orleans to receive the award on
behalf of the team.
“I was very lucky to have an ex-
traordinary team to pull this off,” he
said. “I feel extremely blessed to have
my Project Delivery Team selected for
this honor.”
By Timothy Dugan,
Public Affairs
Dredging of two portions of the
Kennebec River Federal navigation
project in Bath and Phippsburg,
Maine, has started under the terms
of a $1,206,800 contract issued re-
cently by the U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers, New England District.
The work is being performed
by Cashman Dredging and Ma-
rine Contracting Company, LLC, of
Quincy, Mass., and will take several
weeks to complete. Work started
on Aug. 1 and is scheduled to be
completed prior to Sept. 1, 2011.
“The project involves mainte-
nance dredging of the federal navi-
gation project in the vicinity of Doubling
Point, just south of Bath, and Popham
Beach, at the river mouth,” said Proj-
ect Manager William Kavanaugh, Pro-
grams and Project Management Divi-
sion.
The work involves maintenance
dredging of two portions of the au-
thorized 27-foot deep, 500-foot wide
federal navigation project in the lower
Kennebec River to remove hazardous
shoals from the channel in advance of
the transit of the U.S. Navy Destroyer,
the USS SPRUANCE, scheduled to
depart the Bath Iron Works on or about
Sept. 1, 2011.
The dredging involves the removal
of about 70,000 cubic yards of clean
sandy material from the two areas
of the Federal navigation project
and disposal of the dredged mate-
rial at two previously used disposal
areas.
The project is managed by the
Corps’ New England District. All
work is being accomplished under
the supervision of a Corps’ Quality
Assurance Representative to as-
sure compliance with contract re-
quirements.
For more information about
Corps’ New England District con-
tract solicitations for work, bid re-
sults or contract awards visit the
website at: http://www.nae.usace.
army.mil/Business/Contracting/.
Corps of Engineers awards $1.2 million contract, starts
dredging Kennebec River in Bath, Phippsburg
Mike Tuttle, Project Delivery Team, get top honors for overseas project
YANKEE ENGINEER
August 2011
13
The Army recently announced that the
North Post of Fort Belvoir, Va., will be the
site of the National Museum of the U.S. Army
(NMUSA), scheduled to open in June 2015.
The vision and mission of the NMUSA is to
educate, excite, inspire and entertain visitors
of all ages on the history and culture of the
United States Army.
The NMUSA will be a unique facility of
national and historic signicance. It will en-
compass a state-of-the-art building housing
world class exhibits that tell the story of the
U.S. Army as an institution and be a tribute
to the American Soldier. The NMUSA will
preserve, study, and interpret Army material
culture, educating visitors in the history, tra-
ditions and accomplishments of the Army. It
will be a forum for the education, edication,
and inspiration for all those seeking knowledge
of the history of the Army. The American people
will gain a greater awareness of the part that the Army played
in shaping their heritage.
The NMUSA building and campus will be constructed in
stages and will initially consist of approximately 185,000 sf
facility that houses approximately 60,000 sf for nine exhibit
galleries and a theatre in the exhibit wing. It will also include:
experiential learning center, café, retail, Veterans’ Hall, lobby,
administrative space and other areas in the custom portion of
the building. Exterior features will include a parade ground,
amphitheater, Army trail and memorial garden as well as
landscaping and parking. NMUSA will be expected to attract
a steady state attendance of approximately 600,000 visitors
annually.
New England District (NAE) is responsible for the design
and construction of the museum campus and associated infra-
structure and exhibit development and fabrication. Skidmore,
Owings, and Merrill, LLP is the designer of record for design
of the museum campus and infrastructure, which is approxi-
mately 35 percent complete. Construction is anticipated to
begin in 2012, with museum opening in 2015.
The Army anticipates funding construction of
the infrastructure through an FY12 MILCON
project. The museum campus will be funded
by the Army Historical Foundation (AHF), the
non-prot entity responsible for raising funds
through donations. For more information on
the AHF campaign, please visit their website:
www.armyhistory.org.
Christopher Chadbourne and Associates,
Inc., was responsible for exhibit development
for NMUSA, which was completed in June 2011.
NAE has plans to award a contract for Exhibit
Fabrication soon.
Once the museum is opened, it will be oper-
ated by the National Museum Project Ofce; their
website is: http://www.nationalmuseumoftheu-
sarmy.com/coming_soon/nmusa_project.html.
(U.S. Army Press Release)
Fort Belvoir chosen as site for Army National Museum
New England District to design and construct campus
Artist's rendering of the outside of the National Museum of the U.S. Army.
YANKEE ENGINEER
August 2011
14
By Farrell McMillan
Chief, Engineering/Planning
Friends and co-workers of Tony Firicano, Chief, Geotech-
nical and Water Resources Branch in Engineering/Planning,
made their way to the Concord Park theatre on June 23 to
wish him well on his retirement and to honor his distinguished
32 year career with awards and fond memories.
Farrell McMillan, Chief, Engineering/Planning, served as
Master of Ceremonies for the event. Lt. Col. Steven Howell,
Deputy District Commander, presented Firicano with the
Superior Civilian Service Award, a Bunker Hill Plaque and
his ofcial retirement certicate.
Prior to the awards ceremony, a small group of about 35
of Firicano’s friends and co-workers treated him to a luncheon
at the Great Wall of China Restaurant in Bedford, Mass.
During the luncheon, Firicano received a gift certicate from
attendees as a retirement present.
Firicano has enjoyed an outstanding career with the
Corps of Engineers, New England District. He came to the
New England Division in 1978 as a NAE Co-op student. Upon
graduation from Merrimack College he accepted a position as
a Project Manager for Planning Division. He worked for three
years as a Project Manager in Planning Division responsible
for coordinating the efforts of a multidisciplinary team in the
planning and preliminary design of Civil Works Projects
within New England. He then took a four year assignment
as a Project Manager for the European Division, Corps of
Engineers, returning to NAE in June 1982 as a Civil Engineer
in the Geotechnical Engineering Section.
Firicano rapidly assumed key lead geotechnical engineer
positions and other key positions of leadership in Engineer-
ing Division which led to his selection in April 1998 as Chief,
Geotechnical Engineering Section. His exemplary perfor-
mance as Section Chief and his vast expertise in the eld
of Geotechnical engineering led to his promotion in January
2007 to Chief, Geotechnical and Water Resources Branch,
with the added responsibility of administering and managing
the District’s Dam and Levee Safety Programs.
Tony Firicano has provided the ofce with strong, steady,
leadership during periods of signicant organization realign-
ments and dynamic uctuating workloads. He served admi-
rably in this position until his retirement July 2.
The benets of Firicano’s contributions to the New Eng-
land District will continue to be realized for many years to
come, both in his contribution to individual projects and the
technical expertise extended to those personnel who had
the good fortune to work with him.
Tony Firicano retires after 32 years of service
Tony Firicano receives his retirement certificate from Lt. Col. Steven Howell.
Photos by Brian Murphy
Siamac Vaghar (left) says a few words to Tony Firicano during his retirement ceremony.
YANKEE ENGINEER
August 2011
15
By Farrell McMillan,
Chief, Engineering/Planning
Friends, family and coworkers gath-
ered in the Concord Park Theatre on July
26 to celebrate the distinguished 30 year
career of William Mullen, Engineering/
Planning, and his decision to retire.
More than 50 people attended the
retirement ceremony. Farrell McMillan,
Chief, Engineering/Planning,
served as Master of Cer-
emonies. Other speakers who
shared stories and presented
Mullen with gifts were Paula
Kullberg, Regulatory; Bud Taylor,
Programs/Project Management;
Raimo Liias and George Clain,
both from Engineering/Planning.
Col. Tom Feir, New Eng-
land District Commander, also
attended the ceremony. The
colonel ofcially retired Mullen
by presenting him with his retire-
ment certicate and pin. Col.
Feir also presented Mullen with a
Commander’s Award for Civilian
Service and a Bunker Hill plaque
for his exceptional service and
dedication to the Corps and the nation.
Mullen’s wife, Alice, accompanied her
husband to the retirement ceremony.
Mullen has had a diverse career over
his 30 years of service with the Corps of
Engineers. Starting as a Co-op with the
Automated Data Processing Division at
NAE in 1975 while attending Worcester
Polytechnic Institute, Mullen began his
career with the Corps.
After a one-year rotational assign-
ment with Baltimore District, Mullen
joined the Hydraulic Engineering Sec-
tion, Water Control Branch at NAE in
1978. During his tenure in the Hydraulic
Engineering Section Mullen worked on
Periodic Dam Inspections as part of the
NAE Dam Safety Program, analyzed
and provided recommendations for
various streambank erosion issues, and
studied as well as provided guidance
on ood mitigation recommendations
using various hydraulic river modeling
software. After leaving federal service
for a few years, Mullen re-joined the
Corps in New England and continued
his career in the Hydrologic Engineer-
ing Section, Geotechnical Engineering
Water Resources Branch. During his
time within this section, Mullen took the
lead on a variety of high prole studies
associated with FEMA Flood Insurance
Studies, using state-of-the-art ood
inundation computer modeling.
Mullen also performed a variety
of statistical analyses associated with
computing frequency of ooding as well
as frequency of pool stages on Corps
dams and rivers downstream as part
of the overall ood mitigation program
at NAE.
Mullen ultimately transferred to the
Planning Branch for a few years to lend
much needed support to an understaffed
branch. Bringing with him his hydrau-
lic and hydrologic expertise, Mullen
managed to complete many projects
associated with the Flood Plain Man-
agement mission. He left Planning and
transferred to the Regulatory Division
where he provided expert knowledge
to assignments associated with wetland
mitigation and other regulatory issues.
Bringing his engineering background
and highly regarded water resources
expertise, Mullen established himself as
a regulatory expert and quickly became
highly regarded within the Regulatory
Division.
Mullen nally ended his ca-
reer in the Reservoir Regulation
Section (RRS), Geotechnical
Engineering Water Resources
Branch. This “last stop” was
a perfect t for someone with
the experience, expertise and
talent he had acquired over
his diverse career. Managing
seven dams within the Lower
Connecticut River Basin and
sharing the responsibilities of
regulating the Stamford Hur-
ricane Barrier, Mullen provided
needed support allowing the
section to continue its mission
seamlessly. During his tenure in
RRS, Mullen demonstrated his
expert water resources background and
regulated the dams and hurricane bar-
rier independently providing exceptional
ood mitigation during ood conditions.
Showing his commitment and dedication
Mullen also procured a new web camera
at the Stamford barrier and developed
a reservoir simulation model that will be
used in RRS for years to come.
Bill Mullen has had a full and diverse
career and because of it has acquired
a highly regarded water resources ex-
pertise and has helped expand Corps
capabilities in Hydraulics/Hydrology,
Planning, Regulatory, and lastly Res-
ervoir Regulation missions, thereby
maintaining the District’s reputation
as an outstanding water resources
organization.
Bill Mullen joins retirement community with over 30 years of service
Bill Mullen receives a Commander's Award for Civilian Service from Col. Tom Feir.
Photo by Brian Murphy
YANKEE ENGINEER
August 2011
16
Members of the New England Dis-
trict team joined Col. Tom Feir, New
England District Commander, and his
wife, Tara, at Waxy O’Connors Irish
Pub and Restaurant for his retirement
luncheon, July 20.
After the buffet lunch of sandwiches,
wraps and salads, Lt. Col. Steven How-
ell, Deputy Commander, presented Mrs.
Feir with a bouquet of owers on behalf
of the District. Almost 60 team members
attended the event.
Bill Scully, Deputy District Engineer
for Programs/Project Management,
served as Master of Ceremonies. He
said that there were things he will miss
about Col. Feir – such as the way he
could easily pick him out at an RMB
group dinner by his Red Sox baseball
cap – and the things that he wouldn’t,
like the big Brett Favre New York Jets
football team jersey he had hanging in
his ofce. “I’m also not going to miss
the Monday morning sounds of the
shredder,” Scully laughed. “I tried to
nd a toy shredder to give you, but I
was unsuccessful.”
Scully said that for the past three
years the District has appreciated Col.
Feir’s experience that has helped the
District move on to greater things. “You
got very involved in our projects and
we’ve had great discussions regarding
them,” he said.
Farrell McMillan, Chief, Engineer-
ing/Planning, wished the Feir’s the
very best in retirement. He presented
Col. Feir with a Bunker Hill plaque in
appreciation for his 27 years of seless
service to the nation.
Frank Fedele, Chief, Operations
Division, was next to say a few words.
“It seems like a short time ago since
we had the last Change of Command
Ceremony, but so much has happened
in the time you’ve been here,” he said.
Fedele cited the separation of
Construction and Operations; the
Sagamore Bridge Deck Repair Project;
and the fact that Col. Feir is the rst
New England Commander to reacquire
projects – Rhode Island’s Woonsocket
Local Protection Project and Fox Point
– and rehabilitate them, as only a few
of the milestones that occurred during
his command.
The Operations Chief presented
Col. Feir with a toy lawn mower and told
the story of the landscaper problem at
Hanscom Air Force Base that caused
Col. Feir to personally cut the grass so
the District could erect the ceremonial
tent for Founder’s Day 2010. “The grass
was very high and very wet and only a
member of the military could cut it,” he
New England District Commander proud to have been a
part of the New England District Team
Mrs. Tara Feir and Col. Tom Feir cut the retirement cake during a lunch at Waxy O’Connors.
YANKEE ENGINEER
August 2011
17
said. “You did and were a good sport
about it.”
Fedele also presented Col. Feir with
a grey Corps of Engineers shirt with his
name on it. “On behalf of the Opera-
tions Division, thank you for supporting
our programs, missions and people,” he
said. “We always appreciated the kind
words and pats on the back.”
A large number of eld team mem-
bers attended the luncheon, some com-
ing from long distances, to wish Col. Feir
well on his retirement.
Peter Hugh, Engineering/Planning,
made a brief congratulations to Col.
Feir and thanked him for his support of
the EEO program and the events that
took place at the District over the past
three years.
Stephen Lefebvre, former New
England District Deputy Commander
and current Engineering/Planning
employee, rounded out the speakers
by expressing his sincere appreciation
to Col. Feir for his support both in his
military and civilian career. “I appreciate
you allowing me to extend and allowing
me to go to Afghanistan,” he said. “You
have always been very approachable
and easy to talk with.”
Lefebvre concluded with a story that
had the audience laughing about Col.
Feir seeking his aid to try to help him
get his car unstuck from a snow bank
at Concord Park. Their efforts were not
very successful. “The plow guys couldn’t
even get him out,” laughed Lefebvre.
Col. Feir continued the fun by re-
calling more misadventures between
his car and New England winters at
Concord Park.
Scully then presented Col. Feir with
a Minuteman statue on behalf of the
District. The Colonel said he loved it. “It
really means a lot to me and I will nd a
good home for it,” he said. “It will remind
me of my time at the District – my last
assignment and the best assignment.”
Emotions were high and mixed for
Col. Feir during the lunch. He lost his
father, Maj. Gen. Philip T. Feir, only
six days before the luncheon. He ex-
plained that there was some thought
to cancelling, but in the end he wanted
to go on and spend time with his New
England District family. Col. Feir said
that since coming to New England his
family – wife Tara and son, Ryan – have
become true New Englanders to include
hating the Yankees and becoming big
Boston Bruins fans. The family plans
to continue living in New England after
Col. Feir’s retirement.
The Colonel credited his success
in his career to the people he has led.
“I’ve learned that a commander is only
as good as the people he or she com-
mands,” he said. “You always gave me
good briengs before sending me out
to represent the District.”
He told the audience that their new
commander, Col. Charles Samaris, was
a good man. “I’m glad that a native New
Englander will be carrying the torch,”
he said.
Col. Feir ended his remarks by talk-
ing about the many projects and people
of the New England District and how
proud he was of the organization and
the U.S. Army and how fortunate he felt
to be a part of both. “I didn’t do it for the
money,” he said. “I was proud to serve.
I’m sad to be leaving you, but I’m excited
for the challenges the District will be
facing in the future. I am very proud to
have been a part of this organization.”
Mrs. Feir concluded the retirement
lunch by saying how nice the New
England District Team was and how she
wished she had gotten to know everyone
in the District. “It was my job to help
Tom serve the District and he literally
went to work every day singing,” she
said. “Tom is such a good guy and I’m
very proud of him. He really loves you
and so do I.”
Col. Tom Feir shows off his new toy lawn mower presented
to him by Frank Fedele upon the occasion of his retirement.
The gift was a reminder of Founder's Day 2010.
Col. Tom Feir receives his Minuteman Statue from Bill Scully during the presentation portion of the retirement lunch.
YANKEE ENGINEER
August 2011
18
The New England District team traveled to Faneuil Hall
in Boston, Mass., to witness the time honored tradition of one
District leader relinquishing command to another.
Col. Tom Feir passed the Corps of Engi-
neers Command Flag to Col. Charles Samaris
during the Change of Command Ceremony on
July 29. The New England District Team joined
hundreds of family members, federal, state and
local ofcials and other well wishers at the event.
North Atlantic Division Commander Brig. Gen.
Peter DeLuca, presided.
Larry Rosenberg, Chief, Public Affairs,
served as Master of Ceremonies and an-
nounced the entrance of the ofcial party: Brig.
Gen. DeLuca, Col. Feir, Col. Samaris, and Bill
Scully, Deputy District Engineer for Programs/
Project Management.
Lt. Col. Steven Howell, Deputy District
Commander and the Commander of Troops, led the New
England District Ranger Color Guard in the posting of the
Colors. Reverend Thomas Devery of the Church of the Holy
Col. Feir passes New England District command to
Col. Samaris during traditional ceremony
The official party takes the stage during the Change of Command ceremony.
Photos by C.J. Allen
Brig. Gen. Peter DeLuca addresses the crowd during the Change of Command ceremony.
YANKEE ENGINEER
August 2011
19
Child in Staten Island, New York, provided the invocation.
Following Reverend Devery, Rosenberg introduced the many
dignitaries in attendance that included Civilian Aides to the
Secretary of the Army, General and Flag ofcers, federal
elected ofcials, former New England Division and District
Engineers, a member of the Distinguished Civilian Gallery,
U.S. Army members, representatives of federal and state
agencies, as well as Col. Feir’s and Col. Samaris’ families.
Rosenberg recited the New England District’s proud his-
tory that dates back to the American Revolution when Gen.
George Washington named Col. Richard Gridley Chief of
Engineers on June 16, 1775. “The Corps of Engineers has
served the six states of New England in various congura-
tions since that time,” he said.
Rosenberg named the many and varied missions the
New England District currently supports from Civil Works
and Military programs to engineering, construction and en-
vironmental projects.
The Master of Ceremonies recognized the wives of both
the incoming and outgoing commanders. “A successful Soldier
is always supported by a loving family,” he said.
Park Ranger and New England District Interpreter of the
Year Karen Hoey presented Mrs. Tara Feir with red roses in
bloom to represent a ourished and successful command.
The District’s newest employee, Cora Bertrand, gave Mrs.
Kathleen Samaris a bouquet of budding white roses which
represents her arrival as a welcomed member of the District
family. “In time, Mrs. Samaris’ relationship with the New
England District Team and their families will ourish,” said
Rosenberg.
Following the presentation of owers, the ofcial party
took their positions at the front of the stage for the formal
Change of Command. Scully passed the unit colors (the
Corps Flag) to Col. Feir signifying the District’s appreciation
for his leadership and guidance. Col. Feir then passed the
ag to Brig. Gen. DeLuca to signify the relinquishment of
his command and his gratitude for the opportunity to lead
the District. Brig Gen. DeLuca then passed the ag to Col.
Samaris, entrusting him with the responsibility and care of
Continued on next page
The New England District Ranger Color Guard posted and retired the Colors during the
ceremony.
Cora Bertrand presents Kathleen Samaris with flowers from the District.
The Feir family is front and center for the ceremony.
YANKEE ENGINEER
August 2011
20
the District. Finally, Col. Samaris passed the ag back to
Scully as a symbol of his trust and condence in the leaders
of the organization.
After the ofcial party returned to the stage and the ofcial
Change of Command completed, Lt. Col. Howell asked Mrs.
Feir and son, Ryan, to the stage so they could participate
in the awards and retirement portion of the ceremony. Brig.
Gen. DeLuca presented Col. Feir with many awards in rec-
ognition of his more than 27 years of service to the nation.
The awards included the Legion of Merit Award and the Silver
Order of the de Fleury Medal in recognition of his 27+ years
of superior service to the nation.
The North Atlantic Division Commander also presented
Col. Feir with his retirement certicate on behalf of the Army
Chief of Staff Martin E. Dempsey and a grateful nation. After
the presentation of the retirement certicate, Lt. Col. Howell
read from a letter of appreciation to Col. Feir from President
Barack Obama. “Your commitment and dedication have been
an inspiration to those who will follow in your footsteps and
for all Americans who will join me today in saluting you for a
job extremely well done,” read Lt. Col. Howell.
Following the reading, Brig. Gen. DeLuca presented Ryan
Feir with a Commander’s Coin of Excellence for the support
he has shown his father over Col. Feir’s career. Brig. Gen.
DeLuca then presented Mrs. Feir with the Commander's Award
for Public Service in recognition of her caring dedication to
improving the quality of life for Soldiers, civilians and their
families in each of the communities the Feir’s lived in. The
NAD Commander also presented Mrs. Feir with a Depart-
ment of the Army Certicate of Appreciation for her unfailing
support of Col. Feir throughout his career.
Mrs. Feir stepped to the podium and said that being in
Faneuil Hall – “the Cradle of Liberty” – was a great honor.
“Today is a great day to be an American,” she said.
Mrs. Feir touched on a variety of topics, but rst was the
Army Family. “It takes a village to raise a child and it takes
a team to raise a Soldier,” she said. “Without the team – the
Army Family – there is no chance for victory.”
Directing her remarks to her son, Mrs. Feir thanked him
for “moving 7 times in 16 years and never skipped a beat.”
Mrs. Feir concluded by talking about how she and Col.
Feir met as cadets at West Point. “After 27 years our love
grows stronger every day,” she said. “I am so incredibly
proud of all you’ve accomplished.”
After Mrs. Feir’s remarks, Lt. Col. Howell read proclama-
tions from the states of Maine and New Hampshire, naming
July 29, 2011 as U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Day. Col.
Feir also received letters and citations from the governors of
all six New England states. Col. Samaris received letters and
Col. Feir passes New England District command to
Col. Samaris during traditional ceremony
Col. Tom Feir relinquishes command to Brig. Gen. Peter
DeLuca.
Col. Charles Samaris is the New England District Commander. Col. Samaris gives the Command Flag to Bill Scully.
Photos by C.J. Allen
Continued from previous page
citations from New Hampshire,
Rhode Island and a proclama-
tion form Rhode Island.
Brig. Gen. DeLuca thanked
everyone for coming to mark this
chapter in New England District
history. He said that Col. Feir’s
time at the District had many
challenges such as support-
ing the Corps’ missions in Iraq
and Afghanistan, AAR work,
ooding events, tornadoes and
Superfund sites, just to name a
few. He said that he struggled
to sum up Col. Feir’s career,
but compared his qualities to
the kind he would like to see
in a Chief of Engineers – calm
and not volatile; a great listener
and engineer; dedicated to the
mission and caring of people.
“So I guess the next Chief of Engineers should be like Tom
Feir,” he said.
In addressing Mrs. Feir, the North Atlantic Division Com-
mander, called her “a sunburst of a lady who lights up a room.”
The General said that the District will be facing new chal-
lenges in the coming years such as budget cuts and shrinking
resources. “We have the cleverness to devise solutions to
problems,” he said. “Col. Samaris is a good man for the job.
I’m excited for him to be a part of the team.”
Col. Feir addressed the audience, calling the Change of
Command a surreal experience. He thanked his wife and
son for their love and support through his career. He said
that the decision to retire was a difcult one, but the right
choice for his family. “We have the best medical care here
and Ryan has established roots,” he said.
The outgoing Commander said that the event was es-
pecially hard for him as he had very recently lost his father,
Maj. Gen. Philip T. Feir, just two weeks prior. He talked about
the elder Feir’s career, calling him, “a citizen Soldier and a
very big, sweet man.”
Col. Feir said he was honored to have his mother, Mary,
his sisters, Becky and Bobbie, and other family members
and friends with him for the occasion. He described his
career in the Army as an amazing walk of life and thanked
Brig. Gen. DeLuca for allowing him to lead the District. He
also thanked the District’s federal, state and local partners
for working with the District to help nd solutions to complex
problems in order to get work done. “As I reect back on
my years with the District, I’m amazed at all of the incredible
work that the District team has performed during that time,”
he said. “I look back on that and my military career and I
think to myself, ‘Wow, what a journey!’”
The Colonel thanked his District Executive Team and
Angie Vanaria, who he called his trusted advisor, for all they
do for the District. He concluded his remarks by congratulat-
ing Col. Samaris on his new command. “Start enjoying your
time now,” he said. “It goes by all too quickly.”
Col. Samaris said it was truly an immense privilege to
serve the District as its new commander. He thanked the many
important people in his life for their love and support which
helped him get to this point in his career. He also thanked
Brig. Gen. DeLuca for his trust, condence and willingness
to give him the District to lead. “I am both thankful and ex-
cited, and look forward to what appears to be a three-year
‘movement to contact.’”
The new District Commander praised his predecessor
for being a great professional. “You are a 100-percent class
act and have excelled at leading this great District,” he said.
“Congratulations on your retirement and a tremendous career
serving our nation, our Army and the Engineer Regiment.”
Col. Samaris concluded by addressing the New England
District Team. “You will get my absolute best effort – we will
have a great ride and a whole lot of fun,” he said.
Sister Maureen Colleary gave the benediction using the
Irish Blessing and the New England District Color Guard
ended the Change of Command Ceremony by retiring the
colors. Color Guard members who participated in the event
were Bradley Clark, Steven Patchkofsky, Jason Robinson
and Jenn Samela.
The U.S. Air Force Band of Liberty from Hanscom Air Force
Base provided musical selections throughout the ceremony.
Brig. Gen. Peter DeLuca (right) presents Col. Tom Feir with his retirement certificate during the ceremony.
YANKEE ENGINEER
August 2011
21
Change of Command
July 29, 2011
Lt. Col. Steven Howell and Col. Charles Samaris before the Change of Command.
Larry Rosenberg and Brig. Gen. Peter DeLuca discuss event details before the Change of
Command Ceremony.
Col. Charles Samaris, Col. Tom Feir, and Bill Scully on stage at the ceremony. Ryan, Tara and Col. Tom Feir preparing to receive recognition from Brig. Gen. Peter DeLuca.
Lt. Col. Steven Howell and the New England District Color Guard begin the ceremony by
posting the Colors.
Brig. Gen. Peter DeLuca shakes hands with the Honorable Theodore Low, the Rhode Island
Civilian Aide to the Secretary of the Army.
Photos by C.J. Allen
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August 2011
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Change of Command
July 29, 2011
Tara Feir greets Kathleen Samaris before the ceremony. The U.S. Air Force Band of Liberty get ready to play.
Col. Tom Feir gets a hug from wife, Tara, during the ceremony. Col. Tom Feir talks with friends before the ceremony.
Brig. Gen. Peter DeLuca speaks with military attendees after the ceremony. Members of the clergy attended the Change of Command Ceremony to offer prayers for
the Feir and Samaris families.
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August 2011
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Public Affairs Ofce
New England District
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
696 Virginia Road
Concord, MA 01742-2751
Meter Code 40
First Class
U.S. Postage
Paid
Concord, MA
Permit No. 494
Dredging
up the past
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August 2011
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Brig. Gen. M. Stephen Rhoades (left) passes command of the New England District to Col. Thomas Koning during the Change of Com-
mand Ceremony on July 19, 2002. Col. Brian Osterndorf was the outgoing commander.
