Spring, 2015
OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE NYC HOUSING
POLICE SILVER & GOLD LODGE # 997
www.fop997.org
Volume 18, Issue 2
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
Have you marked your calendar yet? Time is passing fast; there are only around 170 days until
the October 8th event. Tickets are on sale now so talk to your circle of friends, put your seating
list together, and reserve a table. We are doing an early bird special with a $10 discount until the
end of June. Tickets can be ordered online at www.nyfineststuff.com or mail your payment to my
attention at 130-17 235th Street, Rosedale NY, 11422. Please do not send your ticket request to
our Commack address.
It was a great honor to attend the farewell ceremony of one of our own and watch him ride off in
that orange and blue chariot…smile. The walk out of Chief Gerald
Nelson was one grand event. You would have felt the same pride as I because he always emphasizes where his roots are. He is a prime example of the quality of officers our department produced.
Chief Nelson’s retirement caused me to reflect on the article in our last newsletter written by Moe
Leon, “Angel On My Shoulder.” I worked with Chief Begley in Support Services Bureau and have
the same memories of that great boss and person. Tom often stated that my habit of completing
assignments at the very last minute gave him a bellyache. I will admit that at times completion
came with one tick left on the clock…no comment Gus or Andy! At Tom’s retirement I gave him a
set of golf balls with my name engraved. The instructions stated, “To compensate for the stomach stress I would feel pain in my back when balls were hit.” Well judging from all my back pain
lately, I guess Tom is on God’s back nine going for that hole in one. Tom, keep watching over
your granddaughter Lauren and aim for the green.
SPREAD THE WORD, OUR MISSION STATEMENT – STRONGER, BIGGER, BETTER CONNECTED, Fraternally, Bob, Lodge 997
Chief Gerald Nelson's Walk-Out Ceremony attended by many old friends from the Housing Police
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visit our website at www.fop997.org
BOB NERO
PRESIDENT
2016 HPD (Florida) REUNION
ZACHARY SLAVIN
1st VICE PRESIDENT
BRUCE RAHEB
2nd VICE PRESIDENT
JAMES ROSS
DIRECTOR
HENRY LAVAN
DIRECTOR
GORDON NASH
DIRECTOR
NICHOLAS CAPEZZA
DIRECTOR
DEWEY FONG
MEMBERSHIP CHAIRMAN
ANNA TORTORICI
TREASURER
PASQUALE CIRINCIONE
SECRETARY
NYS TRUSTEE
PAT FLATLEY
RECORDING SECRETARY
GILBERT PRINCE
SPECIAL ADVISOR
ANDY MELILLO
IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT
RABBI LEONARD BLANK
CHAPLAIN
MSGR. NICHOLAS SIVILLO
CHAPLAIN
BARTON L. SLAVIN
Lodge Counsel
For more information and
news on what's happening
with the FOP visit the following websites:
National FOP
www.grandlodgefop.org
State FOP
www.NYSFOP.org
Lodge #997 –
www.fop997.org
We’ve been cruising for the last several years for our Florida reunion.
Next year we will be having our reunion in fabulous Las Vegas. We wanted to give those of us who don’t do well on the open seas an opportunity
to join us and spend time with old and not so old friends. The plans have
not yet been finalized but we’re looking at early March, 3/2—3/6. If you
are interested in coming along please drop Gordon Nash an E-mail at
[email protected]. There will be further updates in the next issue of
Record Rumors and on our website.
NEW MEMBERS
Rauf Akinwunmi
Stephen L. LeMay
Gary Commer
Wai L. Chung
Brian M. Ebanks
James Priore
Michelle I. Tege
Kimberly Manson
Bernard L. Thompson
Launcelott C. smith
Richard F. Tyler
Thomas Connolly
Charlotte R. Rose
Alfred Williams
Robert L. Gregory
Zachary W. Haller
TO ALL OUR NEW
MEMBERS, WE
SAY"WELCOME ABOARD"
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
May 2nd - NYS FOP Law Enforcement Officers' Memorial Ceremony State FOP HQ, Hicksville, NY.
May 5th, - Lodge #997 Spring Luncheon - Riccardo's Catering Hall, Astoria, NY.
May 15th - National FOP Annual Law Enforcement Memorial Services Washington, DC.
June 27th - Six Flags Great Adventure & Wild Safari - Great Adventure,
NJ.
July 11th - State FOP Family Picnic - Lido Beach Town Park, Lido Beach,
NY.
Aug. 9th - 13th - FOP National Conference, Pittsburgh, PA.
State FOP Scholarship Program - requirements and submission date TBA.
FOR MORE INFO ON STATE AND NATIONAL FOP EVENTS, VISIT
NYSFOP.ORG (State) OR GRANDLODGEFOP.ORG (National).
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visit our website at www.fop997.org
SPRING LUNCHEON - NATIONAL FOP CONFERENCE
SPRING LUNCHEON - NATIONAL FOP CONFERENCE
At the Spring Luncheon (see flyer for details), we will choose our delegates and alternates to the National
FOP Conference. This year's conference will be held from Aug. 9th through Aug. 13th, at the David L.
Lawrence Convention Center, in Pittsburgh, Pa. (Just a point of information: This is the
100th Anniversary of the FOP which was founded right here in Pittsburgh in 1915, so this should be a
heck of a conference.) The NYS FOP delegates have been assigned to the Pittsburgh Marriott City Center hotel, for our accommodations. (Note: The hotel is about 6 blocks walking distance from the Convention Center; and for those who don't want to walk the host lodge provides bus service to and from the conference center.) The cost for the hotel accommodations is $174.00, plus tax, per night for double occupancy. Based on the size of our lodge we anticipate that we will be entitled to 12 delegates and several
alternates. Traditionally, our lodge has provided a $100.00 per person reimbursement for our representatives. If you think you might be interested in attending the conference there are 2 ways to proceed. First,
you can attend the luncheon, or second, if you can't attend the luncheon you still can be considered by
sending a letter expressing your desire to be considered to Pat Cirincione, at 5 Rita Crescent, Commack,
NY 11725. All such requests must be received by Monday, May 4th, 2015. At the luncheon we will elect
our delegates. Once our delegates are elected I will provide info on how we must make our hotel reservations and other pertinent conference info. (Note: As I receive conference info from the National and
State FOP's I will send it out to the delegates.) Those interested, can visit the Pennsylvania State FOP at
pafop.org for more info on the events package and on things to see and do in Pittsburgh. Just a little
more info - Pittsburgh is about 400 miles from New York - about a 6 and 1/2 hours drive. I hope you will
consider becoming a delegate and attending the conference. But remember, even if you can't be a delegate, come to the luncheon and enjoy yourself with old friends. Hope to see you there. Fraternally, Pat
ITEMS OF INTEREST
It is our sad duty to report the untimely deaths
of two former Members of the HPD - Lodge
Member David Halpern, and Francis "Buddy”
Murnane. MAY THEY REST IN PEACE!!!
If you would like a State FOP ID Card, and
need to have your picture taken, come to the
Luncheon. We'll take your picture there and
submit your ID Card application to the State
FOP. (Only for NEW CARDS - renewals are
done by the Member directly with the State
FOP.)
rate package at the Miccosukee Resort & Casino for our rooms and pre-cruise dinner. THANKS!!!
Family Member In Need. Nick Capezza's son,
Sal is fighting cancer and he needs our
help. Please visit youcaring.com and search
Sal Capezza to learn more about Sal's battle
and find out how you can help.
Author, Author! One of our Members, Mauro
Capobianco has written a book about " the
job". The book, "Some Call It Justice" can be
found on Amazon.com. Check it out.
Our BIG reunion is scheduled for Oct. 8th,
SCHOLARSHIP WINNER
2015, at Antun's in Queens Village (see flyer
elsewhere in this newsletter). Make a commitment and send in your payment before the end We are happy to announce that our scholarship
winner for 2014 is Thomas Crescenzo, the son
of June for a $10 discount.
of Member Peter Crescenzo. From all the
Once again, a special thanks to Charlie & Ra- Members of Lodge #997, we wish Thomas
GOOD LUCK in his continuing education. Conmona Schroeder for getting us the special
gratulation!!! Fraternally, The Executive Board
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visit our website at www.fop997.org
2015 Florida Reunion
FRATERNAL ORDER OF POLICE
NYC HOUSING POLICE
SILVER & GOLD LODGE #997
5 Rita Crescent
Commack, NY 11725
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