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An Experimental Approach to Corps Leadership B Y LT. C O L O N E L A L L E N S AT T E R L E E Things were running smoothly, the officers fully meeting the expectations of their people, but the pressing needs of The Salvation Army beyond the boundaries of their own corps engendered an urgency in three retired officers—Colonel Dennis Strissel, Lt. Colonel John Roy Jones and Lt. Colonel Gary Haupt—who between them had logged over a century of service in its soul-saving mission. Some would argue they had served their time; they had done enough. A calling, however, has no time limit. So, they met and discussed the need and formulated a plan. Having a plan was one thing. Getting others to buy into it was another. Fortunately, Lt. Colonel Kent Davis, divisional commander of the Florida Division, was interested. “Having retired officers fill in at corps where we had breakdowns or unexpected vacancies was one thing, but this was something different. They made it clear that they were very happy with the current leadership of the Citrus County Corps, but they knew that someday their officers would be sent to another appointment. This was for whenever that occurred. And if it worked in Citrus County, it might be something for other locations.” A few months later Davis called. “Are you guys still serious about your plan?” When the reply was affirmative, Davis told them to work on the specifics. It was time for the next move. “I presented it to the territorial administration. They were interested and told me to work out the details,” Davis recalls.
Photo Credits, this article: Lt. Colonel Allen Satterlee
The Team Management Approach The plan hammered out, but still a work in progress, builds on the strengths of the three retired officers whose backgrounds and skills are complementary. Points that make this a plausible option are: 1. This is more desirable for a retired officer, removing the necessity of relocation while still affording meaningful service. 2. It provides a preemptory solution to the personnel issue rather than a reactionary one. 3. It reduces the functional demands by distributing key elements of “Team Citrus...” continued on page 2
Miracle on the River to Thanksgiving Dinner B Y M A R I A M AT H E U S Braving the Storm
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I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13 On January 15, 2009, approximately two minutes into its voyage, US Airways flight 1549 leaving New York’s LaGuardia Airport collided with a flock of geese. The engines shut down and the aircraft began to descend. Captain Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger issued a mayday call, turning back towards the airport when he was unable to restart the engines. When Captain Sully realized they would be unable to make it back safely, he instead steered the aircraft over the George Washington Bridge and Hudson River. As the plane passed over West 50th Street and Weehawken, NJ, the flight attendants broadcasted through the cabin, “Brace, brace, head down, stay down.” Abruptly jolted from a routine commute for work, passenger and Jacksonville resident Casey Jones’s thoughts turned to his wife, wishing he could tell her he loved her. Instead, he followed the attendants’ instructions and braced for the
Photo Credit: Maria Matheus
impact. During the descent, he focused on the mantra: “Brace, brace, head down, stay down.” Soft, fervent prayers filled the cabin, neither hysteria nor calm prevailing. When the aircraft crashed into the Hudson River, the sound was thunderously shattering. The freezing water began flooding into the bottom of “Miracle...” continued on page 2