Dear Editor:
I’ll never forget the chaos and confusion that was rampant in the immediate wake of 9/11. America was under attack. Who knows where they’d hit us next. Most frightening of all – what if they had a nuke? An uneasy sense of peril hung in the air over Hudson County as thick as the smell of destruction that wafted across the river form ground zero. Then I stopped by the Hoboken Elks Lodge and was comforted by a sense that all would be well; America -blessed by god – would swiftly punish the evildoers and prevail over its enemies like it did in WWII.A big part of my reassurance came from talking to war heroes like Roy Huelbig, Tom Mooney and Tom Kennedy – men who served when duty called to defeat adversaries who looked pretty darn scary in 1941.
The Elks inspires confidence in America. Did you know that since its founding in 1867, the Elks has come through for our troops in every major war? We’ve donated food, clothing and reading material to our boys overseas. We’ve written letters to keep up their morale. And in the current war against terror, the Elks is once again standing firmly behind our country. My own lodge in Hoboken, under the leadership of Americanism Chairman George Posiglia, is planning to donate the proceeds of one of our upcoming Monday Night Football parties to support our brave soldiers fighting in Iraq to keep us safe here at home.
Though Hudson County is blessed to have Elks lodges in Weehawken, Bayonne and Jersey City, I’m especially proud to be a Hoboken Elk – a lodge that is so well thought of and supported by its community. And I’m grateful for the efforts of people like Nick DeTrizio, James Farina and Tom Foley for their dedicated service in coordinating Monday night football parties – a vital source of revenue. The Hoboken Fire Department also deserves special mention for their continued support of the Elks and its programs. Thanks to the united effort of people like chief John Casessa, former chief Richie Tremediti, former captain Mike Taglieri, Paddy Ward, captain Gary Rappetti, Ralphie Gallo, Richie Shubring and Jimmy Fisher, past exalted ruler of the Elks – the fire department always comes through with a spectacular Monday night party.
Let me add that the Hoboken Elks is also proud of its Little League team which bounced back from a slow start to win the championship title under the steady leadership of coach Jude Fitzgibbons – Past Exalted Ruler in Hoboken, as well as a past Vice President in the District. Jude’s example of hanging tough with the team, rallying them to victory in the end – teaches a valuable life lesson. As Winston Churchill once said, “Never, never, never quit.” It reminded me of Jude’s inspirational words to me six years ago when I was teaching in one of New York’s most violent and troubled public schools. Then he rallied me with the simple phrase: “Elks never quit.”
In closing, let me say how proud I am to be part of one of America’s most patriotic, charitable and family-friendly organizations: The Benevolent & Protective Order of Elks. And I’d like to extend a friendly invitation to Hudson County residents to join us this fall at one of our weekly, five dollar all-you-can-eat Monday Night Football parties – and see what we’re about. John Bredin
Past Exalted Ruler & Public Relations Chairman
Hoboken Elks