Army

DONGDUCHEON, South Korea – Area I Better Opportunity for Single Soldiers (BOSS) and People to People (PTP) Dongducheon Chapter held their annual kimchi making event in support of the local community on Camp Casey, South Korea, Nov. 20.

During the event, Col. Edward Cho, U.S. Army Garrison Yongsan-Casey Commander, expressed his appreciation for volunteers that helped make kimchi throughout the day. He emphasized the significance of community involvement and how events like these help bring people together, fostering stronger connections and cross-cultural understanding that benefits everyone involved.

”I would like to extend my deepest gratitude to Mr. Kim, Hyong Ik, the President of People-To-People Dongducheon Chapter, all the PTP Dongducheon members, our Camp Casey Boss volunteers and my wife,” said Cho. “Whether you participated in this event for many years, or this is your first time, your presence here signifies the unity and warmth of the community that we share.”

U.S. Army Garrison Yongsan-Casey has been participating in an annual kimchi making event for over two decades in some way, shape, or form. The group made 100 boxes of kimchi, which are being donated to community welfare organizations in Dongducheon city.

“This tradition has been shared with USFK, fostering collaboration and cultural exchange,” said Kim. “Among various volunteer efforts, kimjang requires the most resources and labor, but it offers meaningful support to those in need.”

Kimchi is one of Korea’s most famous and traditional dishes made from cabbage or Korean radish. It is typically fermented with a mixture of chili pepper, garlic, ginger, and fish sauce, giving it a unique and bold flavor. Often served as a side dish, kimchi is not only a staple in Korean cuisine but also a symbol of the country’s rich culinary heritage.

One of the highlights of this event is the opportunity for both BOSS and PTP volunteers to bond and get to know each other a bit more, a point of emphasis for many people interacting, as it creates a welcoming environment where new friendships thrive.

“I love that we’re able to volunteer alongside our Korean friends,” said Pfc. Malcolm Clark, Area I BOSS Vice President. “It also allows us to establish ourselves well within the local community to build lasting relationships, and show that not only are we here to serve, but to make an impact together.”

This meaningful tradition highlights the spirit of togetherness, as volunteers and community members come together to support the local community and build stronger connections with each other as supporters.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers recognized excellence in contracting and small business partnerships during an awards ceremony on Nov. 20 at the Ernest N. Morial Convention center in New Orleans, Louisiana.

The ceremony took place during USACE’s participation in the Society of American Military Engineers’ annual Small Business Conference.

USACE leaders presented 45 individual and team awards for small business contracting accomplishments in Fiscal Year 24.

“For the second year in a row, USACE obligated over $10 billion to our small business partners. Those dollars contribute directly to the Army mission and Small Business program, accounting for 41% of the Army’s Small Business Spend, and fulfilling our mission statement to be the Army’s leader in utilizing small businesses for the delivery of the USACE mission,” said Lt. Gen. William H. “Butch” Graham, Jr., 56th Chief of Engineers and commanding general of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

Other leaders in attendance included Megan Dake, deputy assistant secretary of the Army for procurement, Kimberly Buehler, director for the Army Office of Small Business Programs, Command Sgt. Maj. Douglas Galick, 15th command sergeant major of USACE, and leaders from USACE divisions, districts and centers.

USACE Small Business Awards publicly recognize individuals and organizations that have significantly contributed to the achievements of the USACE Small Business Program.

Excellence in Contracting awards recognize the achievements of the USACE contracting workforce for their continuing and exceptional commitment to the country. Specifically, this program recognizes those who have contributed to the USACE Campaign Plan Objective 4c3, “Improve Acquisition Execution with Policy, Processes, and Certified Professionals,” and who achieved exceptional success during FY 2024.

To learn about doing business with USACE, review the “Contractor Roadmap to Success” on the USACE website: https://www.usace.army.mil/Business-With-Us/Small-Business/Contractor-Roadmap-to-Success/

Small Business Awards

Nominated Award Categories

David Willis, New Orleans District, Small Business Professional of the Year

Tristin Suetsugu, Hawaii District, Contracting Professional of the Year

Philip Wolf, Sacramento District, Program Manager/Engineer Professional of the Year

Theresa Afrank, Alaska District, Small Business Champion Award of the Year

Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC), Small Business Success Story

 Non-nomination Award Categories

(In addition to the nominated award categories, USACE recognizes divisions, districts and centers with overall highest achievement in contract dollar amounts and percentage of overall contract dollars awarded to small businesses in all socioeconomic categories, as determined by FY24 contract award data.)

Division Awards

South Atlantic Division: Overall Highest FY24 Small Business Award by Dollar

Mississippi Valley Division: Overall Highest FY24 Small Business Award by Percentage

South Atlantic Division: Overall Highest FY24 Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB) Award by Dollar

Mississippi Valley Division: Overall Highest FY24 WOSB Award by Percentage

Lakes And River Division: Overall Highest FY24 HUBZone Award by Dollar

Lakes And River Division: Overall Highest FY24 HUBZone Award by Percentage

Pacific Ocean Division: Overall Highest FY24 Small Disadvantaged Business (SDB) Award by Dollar

South Pacific Division: Overall Highest FY24 SDB Award by Percentage

South Atlantic Division: Overall Highest FY24 Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) by Dollar

South Pacific Division: Overall Highest FY24 SDVOSB by Percentage

Districts and Centers Awards

Huntsville Center: Overall Highest Small Business Award by Dollar

Chicago District: Overall Highest Small Business Award by Percentage

Huntsville Center: Overall Highest WOSB Award by Dollar

HECSA Overall Highest WOSB Award by Percentage

Louisville District: Overall Highest FY24 HUBZone Award by Dollar

Wilmington District: Overall Highest FY24 HUBZone Award by Percentage

Honolulu Center: Overall Highest SDB Award by Dollar

Little Rock District: Overall Highest SDB Award by Percentage

Huntsville Center: Overall Highest SDVOSB by Dollar

Portland District: Overall Highest SDVOSB by Percentage

New England District: FY24 with highest percentage of set-asides in FY24

St. Paul District: FY24 District/Center with largest dollar award to Small Business (Districts/Centers Less Than $400M annual obligations)

Honolulu District: FY24 District/Center with largest dollar award to Small Business (Districts/Centers Greater than $400M annual obligations)

Honolulu District: FY24 Largest increase in Small Business from past fiscal year by dollars

Norfolk District: FY24 Largest increase in Small Business from past fiscal year by percentage

Excellence in Contracting Awards

Jennifer Gilbreath, Omaha District: Contract Specialist of the Year

Melissa Harlan, Pittsburgh District: Procuring Contracting Officer of the Year

Maui Wildfire Debris Removal Mission, Honolulu District: Team of the Year

Kathryn Newhouse, Kansas City District: Procurement Analyst of the Year

Jacob Mura, Omaha District: Administrative Contracting Officer of the Year

John Hickman, Omaha District: Manager of the Year

Europe District: District/Center of the Year

MAJ David Terhune, Albuquerque District: 51C Commissioned Officer of the Year

MSG Tom Green, Alaska District: 51C Non-Commissioned Officer of the Year

William Seelmann, Engineering and Support Center Huntsville: Special Action Award: Contracting Professional of the Year

As we close out Veterans Day week, Fort Liberty honors veterans like Edward Milligan, who continue to make an impact long after their military service. Milligan has dedicated his life not only to serving his country but also to inspiring others through his writing, mentorship and resilience.

Growing up in Leesville, Louisiana, where the summers were long, hot and filled with quiet moments, Milligan discovered his passion for storytelling early on. Raised by his aunt and uncle on a fixed income, he turned to books for escape and inspiration, especially drawn to the heroes in Don Pendleton’s “The Executioner” series and James Patterson’s “Alex Cross” novels. He spent those formative summers lost in the thrill of detective tales, sparking a lifelong dream: to become a writer. Today, he is not only a published author of seven novels but a U.S. Army veteran who has transformed his personal challenges into powerful stories and poetry that resonate worldwide.

“Having lost my mother at nine years old, never knowing my biological father, and then having to move in with an aunt and uncle was a great test of my faith at an early age,” Milligan said. “I realized then that if I was going to graduate from high school and achieve my goal of going to college, I would have to pick myself up by the bootstraps and be self-motivated in everything I did at that point in life.”

As a commissioned officer, Milligan led Soldiers, motivating and inspiring them through his example. For him, serving as a military leader is more than duty; it is a calling to uplift those around him, a quality that he infused into his creative pursuits. Writing fiction, like commanding a unit, requires discipline and adaptability. Milligan recounts how, just as he never allowed himself the option of failing a mission, he also refused to let any setbacks halt his writing progress. That dedication, he believes, allowed him to complete his novels and a book of poetry over the years, each being a testament to his unwavering drive.

“In the military, we’re given a mission, and you have to find a way to accomplish the mission,” Milligan said. “I took those characteristics with me when I sought to construct a plot. When I was faced with writer’s block with a poem or novel, I would always step away for a while but keep the confidence that I was going to finish the task that I started. I never entertained the option of giving up.”

Milligan’s Army career gave him a foundation in leadership, adaptability and strong organization skills. The attention to detail that the military requires became ingrained in him, and he quickly learned to master communication skills under pressure. Drafting military briefings, tasking orders and conducting evaluations taught him the organizational and editing skills he now uses as an author.

However, life presented him with trials that no mission briefing could have ever prepared him for. In 1990, he endured the tragic loss of his wife to a genetic auto-immune disorder. While this experience brought deep sorrow, Milligan found strength through writing, penning a poem titled “I’ll Never Die,” which later received international recognition. Translated into multiple languages and shared globally, his poem has since reached millions, offering hope to those facing loss and adversity.

Always driven by a desire to make a difference, Milligan has used his work to spotlight social issues like organ donation awareness, youth self-esteem and dedication to living a spiritual life. Volunteering his time, he has given back to the community through school visits, writing contests and mentorship. His initiatives included sponsoring a student trip to the National Mall out of his own pocket. For him, helping students understand that there are people who care deeply about their future is one of his most fulfilling achievements.

“Students and youth at large need positive role models to help them make the right decisions amid all the challenges and negative choices they have during their adolescent times,” Milligan said. “I will always remember how appreciative the children were that someone in a professional capacity reached out to them to show them that people beyond their school and home truly care.”

Looking ahead, Milligan plans to continue his work as a writer and mentor. He’s revising his young adult novel, “The Looking Glass Self,” which follows a young boy’s journey of self-discovery with the guidance of his grandfather’s ghost. He’s also working on his fifth book in “The Blake Cutter Detective Series.”

For him, life has been about seizing every opportunity to make a difference—both in his military career and personal pursuits. As he reflects on his journey, he wants his legacy to be one of resilience, positivity and service, both to his country and to those who look up to him. For his fellow veterans, Milligan advocates using creative pursuits as a path to healing.

“As a veteran, we all have so much we learn during our time in the military, and we have so much to share that can transcend other occupations and uplift people to success through our dedication to the Army values,” Milligan said.

At Fort Liberty and beyond, Milligan’s story stands as a reminder of the power of endurance, creativity and the transformative impact one person can have on others.