IN MEMORIAM
Director Of Retirees
AL MARINO
April 21, 1930 - August 5, 2005
Al will be missed by all. May he rest in peace.
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A Time to Howl
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| Branch 36 held its 27th Annual Oldtimers' Brunch in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida on February 26, 2005 at the Tropical Acres. There were 61 in attendance that included Branch 36 Officers, guests, and retirees. This was a little unusual because, generally, llot less appear than respond. This time a total of 67 responded they would attend and 61 actually showed up. It was a pleasure to see them all again. Each year we all change a little and Old Man Age takes his toll in looks and sickness. The main thing is we are all grateful to be at the current brunch and when we part we say, "See you next year," and trust in the Lord. When we got to the Tropical Acres, there were retirees already waiting. Embraces and handshakes immediately ensue. We comment on each other's appearanceand the comments are generally on the positive side. Of course, 'the good old days' is the following topic of conversation with the many 'remember when's' are discussed. We talk about how things were different when we delivered mail and how efficient we all were. We tell jokes and we have a good time. It's our time to howl. Order is called for and we pledge allegiance to the flag. I say the invocation. I thank the Lord for making it possible for us to be there, to remember those who couldn't be there, and those no longer with us, and after the affair to get us to our destinations safe and sound. Executive Vice-president Charlie Heege introduces the guests. We had Don Southern, NALC Director of Retirees. Jerry Kane, Director of NALCREST was there with his charming wife, Mary. Bianch 41 President Angelo Mangano was also there with his wife, Fran. Vernon Brown, an old friend of Branch 36 during the 'heat' days from California and now Florida was there with his wife, Gail. Don McMahon, another old friend from Branch 2550, Ft. Lauderdale, F1. was there. Your Branch Officers are present. The menu consists of fish or meat and soft drinks and we eat. Then fifty-year members are recognized. This year it was an old remembrance, Phil Silverman. Phil was 'delegate' (that's what they were then), of Radio City Station who served in that capacity with three Branch 36 Presidents, Phil Lepper, Gus Johnson and Vince Sombrotto and was delegate during the strike. I remember Phil in those days and he hasn't changed too much. We embraced and took pictures and it was a pleasure to see him looking so well. I believe during my career as a letter carrier and a part-time and full-time Officer of Branch 36 I've met every one of the retirees at the Brunch. I will not single anyone out because I either knew them personally or knew of them from sending the annual dues notices which is how we collected dues in those days. |
Don Southern, NALC Director of Retirees was introduced to address us. Don doesn't look old enough to be a Director of Retirees. He looks more like someone at orientation of new employees. Don spoke to us of our involvement in the 1970 strike and thanked us for the results of that action. He told us how important it is to stick with COLCPE. There is legislation being formed in the Congress now and how necessary it is for us to pay attention and support legislation favorable to us. COLCPE and contacting legislators are the most effective ways. Don ended by saying he and yours truly were there to help anyone with a problem. Retirees understand what Don was talking about. They have fought the fight to make a letter carrier's job better when they were active and after they retired. They did it whichever way necessary. Demonstrating, contributing, seeking out representatives. Once, in unionism with the clerk union, Vince Sombrotto led a group of letter carriers, including myself, in a sit-in at the New York Postmaster's office. The results were positive for us. I remember, under Phil Lepper, we even prayed publicly in front of a church. Finally we had to resort to a strike to let the Congress, the Post Office and public understand our plight. Retirees at the brunch were at those events. They were there because they experienced the hard times of a letter carrier's job. As long as they are here they will be heard from. Maybe some of that juice should flow throughout the NALC today. The Postal Service and the Congress will hear from us concerning upcoming legislation that affects us. We are not going to lose what we have fought for and gained. Now we have computers and our voices are also heard through computers. We call, we write, we contribute, we fight the fight. The brunches gather us together again and give us another opportunity to remembe; the past and to howl. God willing, we'll see each other next year. | |
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