KAREN DURHAM-AGUILERA
Posted by smahaskey
The best days are legion with a common theme: an extended team making a difference for the American people, the soldier, and people of other nations. A few examples:
* As resident engineer for the controversial construction of a chemical demilitarization plant in Anniston,
Ala., to dispose of stored mustard and nerve gas stockpiles, when people of the community reached out and thanked me for persevering through the difficult times and increasing their safety.
* As director of programs for Iraq reconstruction, receiving smiles and hugs from Iraqi children and encouraging words of their parents, and hearing thanks for making their everyday lives better with building of new schools, safe drinking water, sanitation facilities and increased electricity.
* As director of Task Force Hope, leading the constantly challenging construction of the hurricane system for the Greater New Orleans area; the new work withstood Hurricane Gustav in September 2008. Thank-you notes continue to this day and add to our determination to deliver the 100-year hurricane risk reduction in 2011.
Durham-Aguilera is director, Task Force Hope, Army Corp of Engineers Mississippi Valley Division.