My name is Matthew, the newest member of the Spirit of America field team. I came on board at the beginning of January to serve as the project manager for the Middle East. After only a short period working alongside veteran project managers Chris Clary and Isaac Eagan, I am confident in the profound effects we can achieve in support of US interests. In the military, I worked both in pre- and post-conflict areas in the Middle East, Central and South America, and Eastern Europe. Outside of that service, I worked with an NGO to help rebuild homes in some of the hardest-hit villages in the Philippines after Super Typhoon Haiyan. Drawing on my past experiences in these conflict and disaster struck regions, I am well aware of the challenges our US soldiers and diplomats face on a daily basis. During my time in the military and private sector, I’ve witnessed the strengths and shortcomings of each, ultimately realizing the importance of a combined effort to achieve stability in the world. Right now, I’m traveling in the Middle East conducting assessments with Chris and Isaac. Throughout the region, US teams are working hard to bring stability and support to our allies and combat the threat of ISIS. After meeting with numerous US personnel and traveling to several project sites, it is clear how important our assistance can be to their mission success. I feel very privileged to be a part of Spirit of America’s mission and want to thank you all for your continued support. I look forward to sharing more of our work with you. Matthew Fielkow Field Operations Project Manager