Col. Schlosser receives Korean name at friendship ceremony

USACE FED
Published Nov. 30, 2017
none

Col. Teresa Schlosser (right), United States Army Corps of Engineers, Far East District commander, receives an official plaque describing her Korean name, from Woo Hyun-euy, The Republic of Korea-U.S. Alliance Friendship Association chairwoman, during her Korean Naming ceremony held at the Korea Ministry of National Defense convention center, Nov. 30. The name Schlosser received was Seol, Tae-mi, which carries a specific symbolic significance, according to Woo. (Photo by Antwaun J. Parrish)

none

Col. Teresa Schlosser (center), United States Army Corps of Engineers, Far East District commander, and her husband Tim Cutler (center right) stand among members of The Republic of Korea-U.S. Alliance Friendship Association and other Korean delegates during her Korean Naming ceremony held at the Korea Ministry of National Defense convention center, Nov. 30. The name Schlosser received was Seol, Tae-mi, which carries a specific symbolic significance, according to Woo Hyun-euy (center left), the association’s chairwoman. (Photo by Antwaun J. Parrish)

none

Col. Teresa Schlosser (right), United States Army Corps of Engineers, Far East District commander, and her husband Tim Cutler receive a scroll in Hangul spelling her Korean name, from Woo Hyun-euy, The Republic of Korea-U.S. Alliance Friendship Association chairwoman, during her Korean Naming ceremony held at the Korea Ministry of National Defense convention center, Nov. 30. The name Schlosser received was Seol, Tae-mi, which carries a specific symbolic significance, according to Woo. (Photo by Antwaun J. Parrish)

The Republic of Korea-U.S. Alliance Friendship Association presented a Korean name to Col. Teresa Schlosser, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Far East District commander, during a ceremony held at the Korea Ministry of National Defense convention center on Nov. 30.

The name Schlosser received was Seol, Tae-mi, which carries a specific symbolic significance, according to Woo Hyun-euy, the association’s chairwoman.

The family name of Seol was inferred from alphabetic character “S” in her last name. Yongsan is chosen as the origin of her family name. Seol because the district’s headquarters is currently located in Seoul. She shares the same family name of the venerable Buddhist monk Wonhyo, whose given name was Seol-Sa, and was known for unifying Shilla’s Buddhism theory.

The first name, Tae-mi, is of the Chinese characters Tae meaning “grow big” and Mi meaning “beautiful” signifying the successful construction of the largest overseas U.S. Army Garrison and wishing her continued success in the renovation projects to be completed.

Schlosser was presented with a plaque bearing her Korean name, Seol, Tae-Mi and its meaning, emphasizing the continued efforts of the U.S. Forces Korea relocation projects and strengthening of the alliance between the Republic of Korea and the United States.

 After the presentation, Schlosser thanked Chairwoman Woo and the association for the honor bestowed upon her. Noting the symbolism of her Korean name, Schlosser explained its personal significance to the audience.

“My parents named me after Mother Teresa for her strength, kindness and generosity while working among the poor in Calcutta.  I can only hope I’ve lived up to her amazing example, and I try to blend strength, kindness and generosity in all I do as a leader,” said Schlosser.

Her family name is derived from the German language and translates into the word “Castle.” She said that she takes pride in the extra connection her name provides to the Corps of Engineers and our beloved castle logo and the historic East Gate, located near the district compound in Seoul. 

“While the East Gate is not a castle it is closely related as a protective fortification, which is what military Engineers have built for thousands of years. I’m sure my parents had no idea I would be an Engineer leader in Dongdaemun, Korea when they named me, but I like to think that fate played a hand in them giving me such a suitable name,” said Schlosser.

After receiving her Korean name, Schlosser said she was humbled at the ROK/US Alliance Friendship Association’s choice.

“I love that it is a strong beautiful name and it further connects me to the Engineer mission here.  I am honored to have been bestowed the name Seol, Tae-mi,” said Schlosser.

Schlosser added that the district will remain committed as ever to delivering engineering solutions in the Republic of Korea to further strengthen the alliance.

Currently the district has executed thousands of projects for U.S. Forces Korea, as well as host nation projects. The 10- billion dollar Korea Relocation Program, which the district continues to execute, is more than 80% complete.