Space Launch Delta 45 > About Us > Volunteer Resource Program Manager

Project Emeritus

. Project Emeritus is provided as a service to the Patrick SFB community in the interest of promoting public service through volunteerism. The presence of this information in no way implies endorsement, preference or obligation by the U.S. Space Force or its personnel toward any external organization. To inform the volunteer resource program manager of volunteer opportunities, email PSFBvolunteers@gmail.com

DIRECTOR’S COLUMN

All US military branches have established directives which provide guidance for the support of retiree activities and services. For example, as part of that support effort, the USAF instruction (AFI 36-3106, par 2.5.7) directs that the installation commander will host an annual retiree appreciation day (RAD). This special day is meant to provide the retiree and his/her family members with the latest information about their retirement benefits and services. In addition, the RAD affords retirees the opportunity to network and share experiences with other retirees, hear guest speakers present on a number of retirement related topics, obtain or renew an ID, and gather information on a variety of services available to retirees.

For a number of unavoidable reasons, Patrick SFB has not held a RAD since the fall of 2015. However, the RAD returns this year to PSFB and will be held on Saturday, 19 October 2019 between 0900 and 1400 hours. The planning group for this year’s RAD have worked diligently to provide a varied and interesting agenda. We are hoping for a large turnout. As Director of Project Emeritus, I am encouraging all of our volunteers and their family members to join me at the RAD on the 19^th of next month. Of course, other retired readers of this column are also invited and encouraged to attend. I look forward to seeing you all at the RAD.

Questions or more information??? Contact us at pafb.rad@gmail.com

A Brief History

Early documents indicate that John Heronimous, a USAF retiree working in the Retiree Activities Office (RAO) in the late 1980s or early 1990s, was the originator of Project Emeritus.

Supposedly, Heronimous had previously set up a similar program in Myrtle Beach, S.C. (records do not indicate which military installation was involved). The concept of involving retired military personnel and/or their spouses as base volunteers was supported by USAF retired Col. Don Clark, then RAO supervisor and his assistant, Art Fetskos. Two volunteers were assigned the task of calling retirees to ask if they would be interested. Heronimous brought in his own computer and this was the beginning.

The original document of organization, establishing what today is Project Emeritus, was titled The Emeritus Program Eastern Space and Missile Center Charter. The charter was approved by USAF retired Col. John R. Worthington, Eastern Space and Missile Center commander, Aug. 15, 1990. Signing as co-directors of the Emeritus Program were USAF retired Brig. Gen. William J. Crandall, and USAF retired Col. Joseph LaPanna and is when Project Emeritus was considered to official launch.

Leadership of the program began with the May 1, 1990 appointment of LaPanna as the first director of Project Emeritus. LaPanna held the assignment until Oct 1, 2006. Upon his retirement, the director's position was assumed by USAF retired Chief Master Sgt. Harold "Jerry" McAnulty, until March 31, 2010. USAR retired Col. Salvatore "Sam" Lauricella, is the current director as of April 1, 2009.

The number of retirees and their spouses enrolled as Project Emeritus volunteers in the past 20 years has varied from a reported high of 250 in the mid-1990s to the existing roster, June 2010, of nearly 155. A number of factors are thought to have contributed to this decrease in the number of volunteers and include: privatization of base work areas eliminating existing volunteer assignments; increased gas prices making is more costly for retirees residing at extreme distances from the base to travel to and from the base to perform volunteer duties; and an aging pool of retirees and spouses with medical conditions that often preclude volunteer participation.

In a recent charter revision, however, Project Emeritus obtained Wing leadership approval to expand volunteer eligibility to include active-duty personnel, dependents, military veterans and civil service. The change is designed to attract a larger number of volunteers and allows individuals to complete community service hours in support of programs such as Florida's "Bright Futures" scholarships.

During its 22-year history, Project Emeritus volunteers have been assigned to work in numerous base locations. In a July 21, 1994, a USAF press release (No. 94-77), citing the location of assignments, said, "You'll find them at the base's visitors' center, the commissary, the pharmacy, graphics and even the Cape's military traffic management command, where volunteers have been known to work 40-hour a week in support of Desert Storm/Desert Shield."
More recently, Project Emeritus volunteers are likely to be assigned to the Airman's Attic, the ID office, the Chaplain's office, the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance service, the JA Office, the Director of Staff's office, the Fitness Center and the base golf course.

Project Emeritus was initiated and developed as an augmented mission to support pilot programs that could be used as a prototype for establishing similar volunteer efforts at other USAF bases. Although Project Emeritus has received, and responded to numerous requests from other military installations for information regarding the project, to our knowledge no other base has to date initiated a volunteer program based on the Project Emeritus prototype.

(Current as of July 2013)

Volunteers needed

Project Emeritus, a volunteer organization at Patrick SFB, is a program to solicit volunteers from the retired, active duty, dependents and civil service, to assist base personnel in mission support operations. Project Emeritus volunteers have been assigned to work at numerous base locations, including base personnel, the Wellness Center, the Visitor's Center and the Golf Course. Volunteers are used at Patrick SFB, Cape Canaveral and the Warbird Museum in Titusville. Volunteers give a minimum of four hours a week to support Team Patrick. Volunteers set their own schedules and select work in their area of interest or expertise. Many agencies on base are in need of assistance.

Retired military (all services), active duty, dependents and civil service who are interested in volunteering four hours per week supporting the Space Force and the Space Launch Delta 45 mission can contact a volunteer coordinator at 321-494-7656, email PSFBvolunteers@gmail.com, stop by 514 Falcon Rd, Building 415, Patrick SFB, Fla., 32925 or log on to Facebook.

Perks:
· Designated parking at BX and Commissary
· Riverside Dining Facility privileges, guests are also welcome
· Community Involvement, networking
· Build experience, add to resume

Check here to fill out a Project Emeritus Application.

Volunteer Opportunities

The following list are base agencies which utilize a number of volunteers but the demand of volunteers is not limited to:

Airman & Family Readiness Center
Airman's Attic
Auto Hobby Shop
Child Development Center
Civil Engineer/Safety Office
Defense Equal Opportunity Management Institute (DEOMI)
Golf Club
Health and Wellness Center
Library
Project Emeritus Office
Project Emeritus (Recruiting)
Retirees Activities Office

Project Emeritus Awards

The following have received the EAGLE AWARD, identifying them as having over 2,500 hours of volunteer service at Patrick:

Retired SMSgt Art Fetskos

Retired Lt Col Louis Mentillo

Retired LCDR Don Winterich

Retired MSgt Pete Koch

Marlene Hatfield

Retired MAJ Shirley Osborne

Retired Lt Col Jerry Meyer

Retired Col John McDunnough

Retired Lt Col Ed Roscoe

Sara-Jane Victor

Retired CMSgt Larry Sherman

Retired CDR John England

Mary Doonan