|
The AESC Shield
Fellowship ~ Service ~ Scholarship THE HEART OF GOLD WE GIVE IN FRIENDSHIP THE HANDS WE OFFER FOR VOLUNTEER SERVICE THE LAMP REMINDS US OF OUR COMMITMENT TO EDUCATION AND THE QUEST FOR KNOWLEDGE THE IVY EMBRACES OUR SHIELD AND REPRESENTS OUR BONDS WITHIN THE CORPS OF ENGINEERS |
AESC History
This year, 2020-2021, we celebrate our 67th year as an official organization. However we have been unofficially meeting for luncheons and coffees since 1951 when Mrs. Lewis A. Pick, wife of the Chief of Engineers at the time. headed the organization.
In 1951, the club initially sponsored a Christmas luncheon at Fort Belvoir at which members donated items to help provide Christmas gifts for wounded Korean War Veterans in Walter Reed Army Hospital. In 1952, the Engineer wives received awards for their volunteer hospital work.
In 1953, the Army Engineer Officer Wives Club (AEOWC) was officially founded under the guidance of Mrs. Samuel D. Sturgis, wife of the Chief of Engineers, and our service-oriented tradition was well established. At that time, our membership of approximately 400 wives Corps of Engineer Officers was stationed through out the world.
In 1959, the club began one of its most notable tasks, that of fundraising, to aid the Army Distaff Foundation in support of construction of the Army Distaff Hall, a residence for the widows of Army Officers. Contributions from active and retired Army personnel, private donations, industrial and corporate sources and Army wives' clubs worldwide helped provide the seed money to finance the construction. In 1960, the AEOWC proudly made the largest contribution to the fund of any Army group, $1700, creatively raised by raffling a mink stole at a large party held at Fort Myer. The methodology for the money raised then, as now, complied with the Army Regulations that govern such activities.
In 1962, the Army Distaff Hall opened its doors. Although the Hall was originally only for Ladies, in 1989 admission was extended to all retired career military officers, male and female and their female relatives. The name was changed to Knollwood. The original mission, which has not changed over the years, is to "provide affordable, secure retirement housing and healthcare services never limited by one's ability to pay".
Over the years the nature of the AEOWC has continued to change to fit the needs of the time. In 1967, the club began the Army Engineer Memorial Awards (AEMA) program to honor the memory of the Officers of the Corps of Engineers who died in Vietnam by awarding educational monetary awards to qualifying high school seniors.
The Annual Castle Ball, initiated by the AEOWC, is now sponsored by the Office of the Chief of Engineers. We still sponsor welcome and farewell teas for the spouse of the Chief of Engineers with traditional tea service, though we no longer wear white gloves and hats.
In 2006, the AEOWC received an endowment to establish a memorial award for Geraldine K. Morris, a former Army Nurse and Honorary President of the Army Engineer Spouses’ Club and wife of the 44th Chief of Engineers, LTG (Ret) John Morris. The award is available to a qualifying high school senior who intends to enroll in a program leading to a nursing degree.
In 2010, The club changed its name to the Army Engineer Spouses Club (AESC) and opened membership to all Engineers, Officers and Enlisted. In 2011, Membership was then opened to Spouses of Corps of Engineers Army Civilians.
Despite the changes through out the years, there are some certainties. The AESC endures because of the women and men who strive to ensure that the needs of our Engineer Families are met on all fronts. There will always be limits in funding availability but organizations like the AESC endeavor to pick up where the funding stops. Further, as long as we value our freedom and independence as a nation, the spirit of volunteerism will always be alive and well in this great country.
Army Engineers - One Family
In 1951, the club initially sponsored a Christmas luncheon at Fort Belvoir at which members donated items to help provide Christmas gifts for wounded Korean War Veterans in Walter Reed Army Hospital. In 1952, the Engineer wives received awards for their volunteer hospital work.
In 1953, the Army Engineer Officer Wives Club (AEOWC) was officially founded under the guidance of Mrs. Samuel D. Sturgis, wife of the Chief of Engineers, and our service-oriented tradition was well established. At that time, our membership of approximately 400 wives Corps of Engineer Officers was stationed through out the world.
In 1959, the club began one of its most notable tasks, that of fundraising, to aid the Army Distaff Foundation in support of construction of the Army Distaff Hall, a residence for the widows of Army Officers. Contributions from active and retired Army personnel, private donations, industrial and corporate sources and Army wives' clubs worldwide helped provide the seed money to finance the construction. In 1960, the AEOWC proudly made the largest contribution to the fund of any Army group, $1700, creatively raised by raffling a mink stole at a large party held at Fort Myer. The methodology for the money raised then, as now, complied with the Army Regulations that govern such activities.
In 1962, the Army Distaff Hall opened its doors. Although the Hall was originally only for Ladies, in 1989 admission was extended to all retired career military officers, male and female and their female relatives. The name was changed to Knollwood. The original mission, which has not changed over the years, is to "provide affordable, secure retirement housing and healthcare services never limited by one's ability to pay".
Over the years the nature of the AEOWC has continued to change to fit the needs of the time. In 1967, the club began the Army Engineer Memorial Awards (AEMA) program to honor the memory of the Officers of the Corps of Engineers who died in Vietnam by awarding educational monetary awards to qualifying high school seniors.
The Annual Castle Ball, initiated by the AEOWC, is now sponsored by the Office of the Chief of Engineers. We still sponsor welcome and farewell teas for the spouse of the Chief of Engineers with traditional tea service, though we no longer wear white gloves and hats.
In 2006, the AEOWC received an endowment to establish a memorial award for Geraldine K. Morris, a former Army Nurse and Honorary President of the Army Engineer Spouses’ Club and wife of the 44th Chief of Engineers, LTG (Ret) John Morris. The award is available to a qualifying high school senior who intends to enroll in a program leading to a nursing degree.
In 2010, The club changed its name to the Army Engineer Spouses Club (AESC) and opened membership to all Engineers, Officers and Enlisted. In 2011, Membership was then opened to Spouses of Corps of Engineers Army Civilians.
Despite the changes through out the years, there are some certainties. The AESC endures because of the women and men who strive to ensure that the needs of our Engineer Families are met on all fronts. There will always be limits in funding availability but organizations like the AESC endeavor to pick up where the funding stops. Further, as long as we value our freedom and independence as a nation, the spirit of volunteerism will always be alive and well in this great country.
Army Engineers - One Family
