Posted by Jim on December 19, 2017
December 19th
FDNY TRIATHLON TEAM 2018 SEASON REGISTRATION
Join the FDNY Triathlon Team for the 2018 race season. Registration is now open to all Department Members. We urge everyone who is racing triathlons, or who has aspirations to race triathlons, to be a part of the team and represent the Department at races. We have coaches available to assist with your training and other resources to help you have a successful season. Team Uniform Kit order will be placed in January. Train with the group locally at swim, bike, run sessions & clinics, or join the crew at our multi day camps in Lake Placid and New Paltz in the spring and summer. Reach out to us this week at info@fdnytri.com for registration info. If you are interested in the FDNY Cycling Team only, reach out to us as well. We have the newly reorganized team doing races and events this season and invite all to join the crew.
ANNUAL FDNY SKI RACES
The 45th Annual FDNY Firefighters Ski Races at Hunter Mountain will take place on Tuesday, January 30, 2018. Proceeds will be donated to the NY Firefighters Burn Center Foundation. There will be a plaque dedication honoring FF William Tolley, L 135. Trophies for each 1st, 2nd, 3rd place Ski teams and Snowboard teams will be awarded along with many lottery prizes. “Let’s keep the tradition going.” Register your team online at www.Huntermtn.com ASAP to get the discounted fee. For additional information contact Joe Jove 518-263-4023.
FDNY VS NYPD HOCKEY GAME
The 45th Annual FDNY vs NYPD Hockey Game will be played at Madison Square Garden on Saturday, March 24, 2018 at noon. Tickets are available from team members or can be purchased in quantities of eight or more by sending an email to Capt. Tom Reno at FDNYhockey25@gmail.com.
FDNY HOCKEY TEAM 2018 KING OF THE ICE HOCKEY TOURNAMENT
The 2018 King of the Ice Tournament will be held at the Freeport Rec Center Rink in Freeport, NY from February 26 through March 21. Round robin will be played from February 26 – March 14. Playoffs will be March 19-21. Registration will be available on January 5th at www.FDNYhockey.org. Space is limited to the first 96 teams, no exceptions. Days and times of tournament are listed on the website. Any questions please email Frank Heal at frankFDNYhockey@gmail.com.
FDNY HOCKEY TEAM 50TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION
The FDNY Hockey Team will be celebrating its 50th Anniversary with a reunion in March of 2018. All Alumni members are asked to send their contact information to Frank Heal at frankFDNYhockey@gmail.com for details.
Posted by Jim on December 15, 2017
“All of the participants in 1916 had come to perceive and recoil from what was a constant theme in the assumptions of the imperialist mind: that those dominated in any colony such as Ireland were lesser in human terms, in language, culture and politics.The historical evidence for this view was all around, in the circumstances of housing, hunger, emigration, exclusion and language loss. The cultural freedom allowed was a freedom merely to imitate or ingratiate.” — President Higgins
President unveils art installation honoring 1916 rebels
Ed Carty. Irish News. Belfast. Friday, December 15, 2017
A new art installation in honor of the 1916 rebels has been unveiled at Aras an Uachtarain as a permanent testament to the journey towards an inclusive Republic.
The sculpture, Dearcan na nDaoine – The People’s Acorn, by artist Rachel Joynt, was placed in the grounds of the president’s official residence as part of Easter Rising commemorations.
President Michael D Higgins said: “What we sought was an appropriate and permanent tribute to the women and men whose effort and sacrifice contributed so much to Irish freedom and a symbol that would also serve as an inspiration towards realising the promise of a true republic, which remains a challenge for us all.
“I hope that what we have achieved with this commemorative work is a fitting tribute to the memory and vision of the signatories of the Proclamation, and all those who stood with them. It is, I think, both an accolade to our shared past and a beacon for a brighter future.”
Among those at the ceremony were some of the relatives of the signatories of the Proclamation and descendants of others who fought and died in the rising.
Others at the unveiling included 170 children from seven schools, who contributed their thoughts and wishes for Ireland’s future. Among them were P7 pupils from St Teresa’s Primary School in west Belfast.
Principal Terry Rodgers said St Teresa’s was one of seven schools included in the project and the only one from the north.
“For the children to see their names and writings inserted into a time capsule and sculpture in the grounds of the Aras an Uachtarain and to be able to bring their own children to visit the sculpture in years to come – what a wonderful experience,” he said.
The artwork is a giant bronze acorn which contains letters and poems while the shell is impressed with text and used pencils.
“All of the participants in 1916 had come to perceive and recoil from what was a constant theme in the assumptions of the imperialist mind: that those dominated in any colony such as Ireland were lesser in human terms, in language, culture and politics.
“The historical evidence for this view was all around, in the circumstances of housing, hunger, emigration, exclusion and language loss. The cultural freedom allowed was a freedom merely to imitate or ingratiate,” the president said.
Next year Mr Higgins will install an artwork at Aras an Uachtarain commemorating the 1913 Lockout.
Posted by Jim on December 14, 2017
December 14th
PUTNAM COUNTY CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY BLOOD DRIVE
Please give a life sustaining gift. Donate a pint of blood so others might have a chance. Unfortunately, because of the Christmas and New Year’s Holidays, the blood supply is very low and the demand is high. Please come join Putnam County members at the Daniel O’Brien VFW Hall, 32 Gleneida Ave (Rt.52) Carmel on Friday, December 29th, from 2:00 till 8:00pm. For information please call Paul DeLeo 347-408-6052, Denis Hanrahan 845-225-3048.
MEMORIAL MASS
On Saturday, January 20, 2018 at 1100 hours, E-46/L-27 will have a Memorial Mass honoring the memory of Lt. Curtis W. Meyran, B-26, Lt. John G. Bellew, L-27 and Lt. Joseph P. DiBernardo, R-3, all of whom made the supreme sacrifice as a result of injuries sustained while operating at Bronx Box 3-3 2997, January 23, 2005. The mass will take place in quarters, 460 Cross Bronx Expressway, Bronx, NY. All off-duty members and their families are invited to attend. Members are requested to attend in dress uniform.
MEMORIAL MASS
On Tuesday, January 23, 2018 at 1000 hours, E-290/L-103 will have a Memorial Mass honoring the memory of Firefighter Richard T. Sclafani, L-103. The mass will commemorate the 13th anniversary of his supreme sacrifice and will take place at St. John’s Church, 479 New Jersey Avenue, Brooklyn, NY. All off-duty members and their families are invited to attend. Members are requested to attend in dress uniform.
PLAQUE DEDICATION
On Friday, January 19, 2018 at 1100 hours, a Plaque Dedication will be held honoring the memory of Firefighter Robert F. DiGiovanni, L-144, who died on January 27, 2017. The dedication will take place in the quarters of E-295 and L-144, 12-49 149th Street, Queens, NY. All off-duty members and their families are invited to attend. Members are requested to attend in dress uniform.
PLAQUE DEDICATION
On Monday, January 22, 2018 at 1100 hours, a Plaque Dedication will be held honoring the memory of Firefighter Kevin A. Rooney, E-42, who died on January 22, 2017. The dedication will take place in the quarters of E-42, 1781 Monroe Avenue, Bronx, NY. All off-duty members and their families are invited to attend. Members are requested to attend in dress uniform.
PLAQUE DEDICATION
On Monday, January 22, 2018 at 1500 hours, a Plaque Dedication will be held honoring the memory of Firefighter Brian J. Masterson, M-9, who died on January 22, 2017. The dedication will take place in the quarters of M-9, 305 Front Street, Staten Island Homeport, Staten Island, NY. All off-duty members and their families are invited to attend. Members are requested to attend in dress uniform.
Posted by Jim on
IRISH MEP Martina Anderson ripped into Britain over the Brexit deal and said as soon as the deal was done the UK “rubbished the joint report they solemnly signed”.
Charlotte Davis. Express. UK. Wednesday, 13, 2017
Ms. Anderson was furious after David Davis implied in a television interview that the Brexit deal was not legally binding and could be altered. But Mr. Davis since insisted his words were misrepresented by the media.
Mr. Davis’ claim caused uproar among the Irish Government, who demanded a concrete promise on there being no hard border in Ireland – with Dublin insisting it considered the agreement bullet proof.
Speaking prior to the EU summit, Ms. Anderson said: “The British Government has done it again. They have pulled of a spectacular piece of theatre over the last week or so.
Martina Anderson said Britain are opposing the rights they signed up to
The UK Government has been making promises to Irish people for years and then refusing to fulfil them
“Only a statement of intents says David Davis. We are coming to a gentleman’s agreement with David Davis who thinks nothing of misleading his own parliament.
“But its no surprise, it’s the way they do things. They create drama through late night and last minute negotiations. They flush out bottom line of those they are negotiating with.”
European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker agreed on Friday enough progress has been made on key Brexit issues in order to move on to trade talks.
But Ms. Anderson claimed Britain makes promises to get others to move things forward and then it “negotiates compromises downwards”.
She said: “They use ambiguity to confuse and disorientate their opponents.
“And then when they don’t like what the final compromise is they simply ignore it and don’t implement it.
“No one knows them better than us. The British Government has been making promises to Irish people for years and then refusing to fulfil them. Even today they are negating to implement the Good Friday Agreement.”
Ms. Anderson demanded the Brexit deal become legally binding. She said once the resolution is turned to legal action there can be “no more ambiguity, no more contradictions, no more taking the British Government as their word”.
Posted by Jim on December 13, 2017
