R.E.M.A.
Retired Emergency Man’s Association
Volume VI, Issue 6 November 2003
REMA
Does Not Forget
The
last newsletter had the same headline - REMA Does Not Forget. It was put there
to tell everyone that our organization did NOT forget those who gave their lives
on September 11, 2001. The headline also means that REMA does not forget the
other ten heroes who have made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty since
the Emergency Service Unit was created.
I
feel that some of our members, as well as some active members of ESU, simply
give lip service to that sentiment. Some may say that I am wrong. I don’t
think so. There may be many reasons for this forgetfulness (senior moments do
not count). It could be they are unaware of all the details of how and when
those twenty-four heroes perished in the line of duty. It could be they feel
that remembering these people brings back sad memories and they “want to put
it behind them and get on with their lives”. It could be they simply have no
way to carry out their promise of remembering. There is no mechanism to do so.
It could be a whole myriad of reasons, but the end result is still the same.
People are forgetting. I want all those who read this to know that the members
of REMA promised that we shall never forget, and, hopefully, never
will.
Therefore,
I am proposing that we set aside a special day each year to honor these fallen
brethren. At the October 16, 2003 REMA meeting, I proposed that the
last Saturday of every April be designated as a “Day Of Remembrance” for
those who have lost their lives in the line of duty while assigned to the
Emergency Service Unit. The motion was carried unanimously. This day was chosen
for many reasons. Some of which are: April was the month of the creation of the
Emergency Service Unit; the selected date will be far enough away from September
11th so that there should be no conflict with any individual
ceremonies commemorating the cowardly attack at the World Trade Center; and
lastly, a Saturday event will allow more people to participate with their
families.
I
am forming a committee to carry out this proposal. We will ask the New York City
Police Department to allow us to hold this event at the ESU Floyd Bennett Field
facility where there is presently a Memorial Wall in tribute to those
twenty-four heroes. In this way, I feel that we can give everyone a way to
fulfill the promise we made. The heritage and tradition of the Emergency Service
Unit cannot be discarded. By remembering the past, we can insure the future.
Saturday, April 24, 2004 will, hopefully, be the start of a long and positive
tradition.
A
special “Thanks” to Father Robert Romano, Department
Chaplain, for attending his first REMA meeting. Hopefully, it will not be Father
Romano’s (soon to be Monsignor Romano) last meeting…….Charlie Craig (Ret
E 8), who now lives in Arlington, Virginia, is a grandfather for the eighth
time. Nine and a half pound Sophia was born on November 4, 2003. Congrats to
Charlie and hope to see him at the December .meeting…….Mike Rooney
(Ret E 7) has relocated to Summerville S.C. and is back on patrol working for
the North Charleston PD. Good luck to Mike and his family…….Wally
Lynch’s (Ret E 1)
children are once again sending him to California to visit his brother Joe, a
former E-man himself. Wally will be spending Christmas with his brothers, Joe
and Bobby. I wonder who will enjoy the present the most?…….Tom Barnes (Ret
E 8, E 6, and ESU) and his wife, Susan, became grandparents again with the birth
of six pound, nine ounce Amara May. Tom Jr. and his bride welcomed their second
child into their lives on August 08, 2003. The best to all…….Doug
Reed (Ret Lt
ESU) was operated on for quadruple bypass surgery at Stony Brook Medical Center
on Long Island. He has returned to his Melbourne, Florida home where he is
recuperating. He says he is doing OK……. Tom Santisi's (Ret E
10) father was operated on Friday, October 24, 2003 and is now home. We pray for
his speedy recovery.
And
now the sad news.
Diana Panazzolo,
mother of Glenn Panazzolo (Ret Lt ESU) passed away Wednesday, September 24,
2003. It was two weeks to the day that Glenn's dad passed away. Let us say an
extra prayer for Glenn and his family to give them the strength to get through
this most difficult time……..James
Pogan, father of Pat Pogan (Ret ESU &
JTTF), passed away Sunday, September 22, 2003…….. Mary
Garvey,
mother of Marty Garvey (Ret Sgt E 8), passed away on Sunday, September 28, 2003.
She fought a courageous battle against her illness and is now at peace in
Heaven……. Vito DeSantis, father of Bill DeSantis (Ret E 6), passed away on
Wednesday, November 12, 2003. He will be dearly missed. May he rest in
peace……..REMA Member Tony Sacco (Ret E 9) passed away on
Wednesday, November 12, 2003 at his home in Port St Lucie, Florida. He was with
his family and died peacefully with dignity. He had battled his illness for many
years, but always had a great attitude. God has been merciful. I know he is
enjoying his heavenly reward…….Tom McGuinness' (Ret E 8) father, Joseph
McGuinness, passed away on Saturday, November 08, 2003. Joe was 86 years
old. May his soul rest in peace…….Det. Madeline Lawrence's (ESS 8)
father-in-law, Donald H. Lawrence, Sr., passed away. We send our
condolences to Madeline and husband, Steve (Ret Det.-75 Pct). May the Lord
grant them the strength to get through this difficult time……..We
have FIVE members undergoing treatment for serious illness and two things are
requested, our prayers and anonymity. I have complied with both, now it's your
turn.
ESS 7 Memorial Plaque
Dedication - All
REMA members and their families are invited to attend a ceremony dedicating
individual memorial plaques to honor the memories of P.O. Santos Valentin and
P.O. Ronald Kloepfer. It will be held on Saturday, November 22, 2003 at 1100
hours at ESS 7 quarters located at 1000 Sutter Ave, Brooklyn, NY.
If anyone will be attending, please RSVP to ESS 7 ASAP at 718 827-3544 or E-Mail
Dave Isakson at: KPTKING@aol.com because there will be refreshments
afterwards and they have to know how many to plan for.
ESS 8 Children's
Christmas Party 2003
- Will be held on Saturday,
December 06, 2003 from 11 AM to 3 PM at FLOYD BENNETT FIELD - Building 90. There
is NO FEE – Please, if you plan to attend, contact DET FORMICA or DET BURKART
at 718 963-5356. If you attend, please bring a wrapped gift with your child's
name on it in with a value of no more than $20.00.
ESS 8 Adult's
Christmas Party 2003 - Will
be held on Friday, December 05, 2003 at ANTUN’s located at 244 Old Country
Road, Hicksville, NY (Tel 516 681-3300). Tickets are $55.00 per person. For
further details, contact DET FORMICA at 718 963-535
ESS 10 Children's
Christmas Party 2003 - Will
be held on Saturday, December 06, 2003 from 12 Noon to 4 PM at the Knights of
Columbus Hall located at 160th Street and Northern Boulevard.
Everyone is welcomed to come and enjoy. There will be food and drinks for all.
Santa will be making a visit, as well as, a magic show, Mounted Unit, Canine and
Highway Patrol. Cost is $30.00 per family. If you attend, please bring a wrapped
gift with your child's name on it in with a value of no more than $20.00 that
will be given out by Santa, himself.
The next meeting for the year 2003 will
be Monday, December 15, 2003 at Villa
Leone (formerly Harper’s Restaurant) located at 1270 Union Turnpike, New Hyde
Park, N.Y. from 12:30 PM until 3:30 PM. There will be a Hot Buffet, as well as a
chef’s salad. Unlimited House White & Red Wine, Beer, Soda, Coffee and Tea
are included. The price for the luncheon is $30.00, which includes all gratuities and sales tax. Payment will be
made on the day of the luncheon.