A Very Rewarding & Thankful Month
Kevin Lovell, PMP, PgMP, LSSBB, SSM, F. SAME
Design Team and Construction Director; Practitioner, speaker, moderator, thought leader, and lifelong learner of Project, Program, and Portfolio Management and Process Improvement.
This past month has been very busy and exponentially rewarding between professional and personal opportunities. I was very fortunate to represent the Xator Corporation and Parsons at the Society of American Military Engineering Small Business Conference in Nashville. This widely attended event provided me an opportunity to share the Xator and Parsons capabilities and to meet Architecture, Engineering, Design, and business professionals. It was fantastic to see so many friends I made and Veterans I met during my military career at the SBC. I am especially grateful for the opportunity to share the stage with three patriots during the Giving Back session. We started a fantastic discussion that needs to continue how military members can participate in any professional organization within acceptable ethical guidelines.
This event was followed quickly by a fantastic celebration organized and hosted by the Mendel High School Alumni. They held the Mendel Veterans Day Mass and Ceremony in the current Saint Rita High School Chapel on Veterans Day. They recognized the 15 Mendel Monarch Alumni who died in Vietnam and two Chicago Police Officers who were killed on duty. The Monarch Alumni also recognized all Vietnam Era Veterans as part of the Congressional Vietnam 50th Anniversary Commemoration. In 2008 the US Congress authorized the recognition of all veterans who served during the Vietnam War Era (1955 to 1975), regardless of the location the servicemembers served. Finally, they recognized Danny Golden, a local police officer and US Army Veteran Danny Golden for his service defending our nation as a Soldier and protecting our community as a police officer.
The Mendel Alumni allowed me the distinct honor to celebrate mass in my high school alma mater’s chapel and share thoughts of my service with the Soldiers, Sailors, Marines, Airmen, Coastguards, and civilians I was fortunate to serve with. Andrew G. Youpel and the Mendel Veterans Day Planning Committee conducted one of the finest Veteran or memorial events I have been fortunate to attend or participate in. The planners and attendees, including Mendel Gentlemen and their family members, demonstrated that rare relationship of family and camaraderie to a depth I have not seen in some time. It was an honor to meet and celebrate with them.
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The members of VFW Post 4737, through the generosity of Motorola and the initiative of one of our members who is a Motorola employee, purchased turkeys and pies to distribute to local Veterans and Servicemembers before Thanksgiving. The fellowship took the sting out of the cold weather that day for sure. It was very enjoyable and an honor to join Post members, as it always is.
Thanksgiving was special for me again this year. My son was home from college and our family enjoyed being together this past week. Friends hosted us to enjoy a lovely meal with fine company. They reminded us that we have the family we are given while our dearest friends make up the family we choose.
Personally, the close of this week brings us to the entrance of the Holiday and Christmas Seasons. The closeout of the calendar year signals more professional pursuits to complete.?There were many reasons to be thankful for this year, and there are many opportunities to earn those blessings right in front of us.?