PAX Centurion - September / October 2015

Page 16 • PAX CENTURION • September/October 2015 617-989-BPPA (2772) BPPA 50th celebration a huge success By James W. Carnell, Pax Editor T he BPPA held our annual retirement and recognition banquet on September 11 th at Venezia’s Restaurant in Dorchester, a date which coincided with the 50 th anniversary of the found- ing of the BPPA in 1965, the Boston Police strike of 1919, and the solemn date of September 11 th itself. The event was attended by a packed, sell-out crowd of 400. Gov. Charlie Baker , Mayor Marty Walsh, and Police Commissioner William Evans also attended and gave speeches. The historical irony was plainly evident. The Boston Police Strike of 1919 oc- curred at the same time (Sept. 9 th , 1919). Then, the fledgling union was crushed by a Republican Governor and a Democratic Mayor who used the National Guard to suppress the striking police- men. At this celebration, a Republican Governor and Democratic Mayor offered their congratulations and well wishes to BPPA President Pat Rose, who had also been a Major in the National Guard. Gov. Calvin Coolidge and Mayor Andrew J. Peters must be rolling over in their graves, as first Union President John McInnes must be hav- ing a good laugh in his. BPPA and EMT retirees who attended were presented by Presi- dent Rose and EMT’s President Jamie Orsino with awards for their combined 289 years of service to the city. Several recognition awards were also presented; among them were awards presented to BPD gang unit members and EMT’s whose gallant actions saved the life of Officer John Moynihan when he was shot in the face on Humboldt Ave. in Roxbury. John Moynihan was present to thank everyone in- volved, including the EMT’s whose actions saved his life and whom he hadn’t met until that night; a very emotional moment for all. Many past presidents of the BPPA were able to attend, including Chester Broderick, who flew in from Nevada, Bob Guiney, Dick Bradley and Tommy Nee. Past vice-presidents Ron MacGillivray and David Mackin were also in attendance and presented with service awards, as well as past BPPAAttorney Frank McGee. BPPA founding member Paul Whelan, whose wife Isabel was also first BPPA President Dick MacEachern’s sister, was also in attendance. Paul was presented with a recognition award from a grateful membership for his brave actions in step- ping forward to found this union during a time when he placed himself in great peril from the political forces arrayed against the BPPA. Paul is retired and resides on Cape Cod. There are bound to be many more retirements recognized next year, as officers who were hired en masse in the mid-80’s are now reaching retirement age. Venezia’s has already been booked for Fri- day September 9 th , 2016, their filet mignon and lobster dinner a huge hit with the crowd. Make sure you get tickets early when the time arrives, as some people had to be turned away due to the complete sell-out this year.