PAX Centurion - Winter 2016 - 2017

Page 20 • PAX CENTURION • Winter 2016-2017 617-989-BPPA (2772) V enezia R estau- rant 20 Ericsson Street, Boston Ma, Venezia tucked away from city life, and into the memory or every guest we’ve ever had the pleasure of welcoming to our waterfront restaurant and ball- room Live entertainment in the lounge on Friday& Saturday Evenings Proud supporters of the Bos- ton Police Patrolmen's Association and the Boston EMS V enezia tucked away fro city life, and into the memory of every guest we’ve ever had the pleasure of welcoming to our waterfront restaurant and ballroom. Live entertainment in the lounge on Friday and Saturday evenings Proud supporters of the B ston Police Patrolmen’ Association and the Boston EMS V enezia R estaurant 20 Ericsson Street, Boston, MA 02122 617-436-3120 You are the BPPA! By Dan McCarthy, D-4 Day Shift Representative H ello my Union Brothers and Sisters,As I write this article I have recently returned from the funeral services for NYPD Sergeant Paul Tuozzolo. Sgt. Tuozzolo was about the same age as me(41) and a 19-year veteran of the NYPDwhen he was struck down by a coward in the line of duty. Thankfully, a young police officer named Elwin Martinez answered the call and killed the shooter. Sgt. T, as he was called by those who knew him best, leaves behind a grieving wife and two young children, ages 3 and 4. Myself and some other BPPAReps went down to Massapequa, New York with the BPPA food truck to pay our respects to a fallen brother and feed the officers from Boston, NY and all across the country that attended the services. I was amazed and humbled at the gratitude we received from the officers that showed up to honor and pay their respects to Sgt. Tuozzolo. Many Boston Police Officers found their own way down to the services and the BPPA chartered a bus for anybody that wanted to go to the services. I couldn’t help but notice that it was the same 15-20 people that I see at all of the other police funerals and events. I respect the fact that all of us live incredibly busy lives,and are trying to provide for our families but we need to look within ourselves and think about what is truly important to us. None of us can make all of these services and events but I don’t think it is asking too much to make one. Many veteran officers often remind me that years ago they would have to get two buses to shuttle the Boston men and women down to a funeral. They tell me that the “New” generation of cops doesn’t care as much about the job or their brother officers they way that they did. Maybe they are right but maybe we need to do more to show them the way. It shouldn’t matter if you have 30+ years on this job or just graduated from theAcademy. We all do the same job and need to have each other’s back. I often hear a lot of criticism of our leadership and the Reps (some of it deserved) , but I ask every BPPAmember to recognize that YOU are the BPPA, not just your elected Reps and BPPA leadership. If you don’t like the way things are going, I suggest that YOU run for shift Rep and try to make it better. You may be surprised how much a Rep has to deal with or how many members come to them in confidence and ask them for help or advice. We had an open meeting this October, which very few members felt the need to attend. We had a banquet/awards/retirement dinner recently that very few people under 50 years old attended. We have a new union hall that many members have never been to. We need to do better! Being a police officer is often a thankless job and we constantly have to battle cynicism and negativity, but we need to be united and come together to honor a fallen officer who died protecting others. Recently in East Boston, we almost lost two brothers in Richard Cintolo and MatthewMorris to a deranged gunman.Thankfully they are recovering from their injuries and are doing better. I ask that you not to forget about them, keep in touch with them if you know them and don’t assume that they are OK. Call them, go for a cup of coffee with them, talk to them. There are many others out there that may need help as well. Keep in touch with them. You may be surprised how much a phone call can boost their spirits. In closing, please try to be an active participant in your union. You don’t have to be a Union Rep to be a part of it. Your dues pay the bills and we all benefit when we stand together and are united.