President’s Message

March, 2021

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A MESSAGE TO MY BROTHERS & SISTERS    3/21

On March 22 Chapter 421 had its first membership meeting since the pandemic, almost a year ago to this date. Thirty-eight members showed up and all were eager to follow the pandemic guidelines. Names were taken, contact information was recorded, temperatures were taken, sanitizing fluid and masks were at hand, all chairs were socially distant and, most importantly, all members present were vaccinated.

Now that we seem to be getting back on track, I think it important that we start looking to the future, so at this past meeting I announced that we are going to schedule all our major events. The Day of Remembrance will be on June 13 at 6:30 pm, The POW/MIA service will be scheduled for September (date will be scheduled later), the Jay O’Donovan Annual Golf Outing will be the first Wednesday in October and our Annual Valentines Dance is booked for February 12, 2022 at the Staaten.

One of the things that we pride ourselves in is to keep the chapter moving forward. It is essential that we keep all these special events scheduled along with meetings that keep us informed either through our committee chairmen or invited guests.

Putting that aside I want to talk about us, specifically the Vietnam vet and his family. We started our young adult lives serving our country and fighting in the most unpopular war this country ever had.  As soldiers we had to face that while trying to stay alive. Those of us that were fortunate enough to come home when we did, faced an ungrateful nation, calling us things that I refuse repeat, and, as years past a lot of us fell victim to the chemicals our military sprayed over the countryside.

What came next was our country, our own soil under attack. 911 we saw New York City come crumbling down with many family and friends dying that day and years later from the after math

Racial injustice flourishes again, with people looking to blame people from other ethic backgrounds for the discord this country is going through. There should be one standard and it is something I will always say and believe. “I don’t care where you come from or what color you are. If you love this country then you are my brothers and sisters”.

And the beat goes on, the pandemic curse. Something that this country and the rest of the world has not seen for over a hundred years. To add to that, all the people who are supposed to govern this country are consumed with their party having all the power and totally disregarding the welfare of this country.

The reason I mentioned all this doom and gloom is because I think it is time for all of us to just shut it all down. We are, to coin a phrase “too short” and it is time to concentrate on just us and our families. Let’s enjoy and cherish what we have. Once again, I must coin a phrase and, I might add, a very meaningful one: “IT DON’T MEAN NOTHIN” and that is the way we said it.

Take care and hope to see you all.

Your Brother

     Gene