Page 56 - profiles in civil service program 2018 version

My greatest contribution to my community is my determination to fly the
American flag in front of my house. After three or four years of flying it, the

neighborhood association told me to take it down. My meeting to fight that
decision was scheduled for 9/11. After the horrible attack, my meeting was
rescheduled for October, at which time I was told the decision had not

changed. I went to an attorney, the news media (article in the Washington
Post and several articles and pictures in the Maryland Independent) and
spread the word that I needed help. I prepared a petition and sent it with self-

addressed stamped envelopes to approximately 750 families that owned
property in my neighborhood. I went door-to-door to the houses that didn’t
respond. I received such a good response that I now have approval to fly the
American flag. It took me 10 months but Old Glory is flying and a POW/MIA

flag below it. My neighbors tell me they enjoy it, probably as much as I do.
All four of my brothers, my husband and two of my nephews served in the
military and served our country, some coming home with serious injuries, so I

would not give up and take her down. I am very proud.

I am still active in giving back to my community now that I have retired. I
serve on the Wakefield Neighborhood Association Board and I assist,

wherever and whenever possible. I am an active member of NARFE Chapter
1972, Waldorf-La Plata, and participate in numerous activities. I am also a
senior member of the NASA Headquarters Alumni Group and provide

pertinent information to the NASA retirees.

I am Bernard Cullinan and I worked for the National Aeronautics and Space

Administration at Goddard Space Flight Center for 28 years as a Civil Servant
and seven years as a contractor. For most of that time, I was a Resource
Analyst, Financial Supervisor and Financial Manager in charge of a multi-

million and a multi-billion-dollar program, the Earth Observing System Data
Information System (EOSDIS).

I was privileged to support many science programs at Goddard Space Flight

Center over the years, including the biggest program of all, the EOSDIS
Program. This program was a fantastic success in providing data to Earth
Scientists all over the world, helping these scientists in identifying the

problems that affect global climate change, and providing possible solutions
to these problems.

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