OLD TIMERS NIGHT

Presidents address

April 17, 2006

 

Welcome Commissioners, Chiefs, friends, family and honored guests to our annual Old Timers night. Although our venue has changed the staple remains the same: to thank, honor and remember our cherished old timers. Tonight is a time to reflect and remember the contributions and sacrifices of those who have gone before us. The Anchor Club was founded on the 22^nd of April 1922 by a small band of brothers who united by faith and fraternity formed the 1^st Anchor Club in America, Branch #1. Although started in 1922 it wasn’t until John Boyle was president in 1936 that our club found its true calling. It is said that great leaders have great vision that they convey with purpose and clarity. John J. Boyle delivered that vision – and proposed the club should do works of charity for the orphans of the City of New York. On the 3^rd of August 1937, at the height of the great depression, the Anchor Club held its first “Orphans Day”. I’d like to read to you a letter that describes the events of that day.

 

(Read Letter, Spring 3100 - Sept. 1937)

 

“The first Children’s Day Catholic, Protestant and Jewish Orphanages participating, subscription .75 cents for members, Orphans free. Tuesday August 3^rd, 1937 starting at 1:30 PM - Field Day, Athletic Events, Swimming, Diving and Band Contest, all recreation facilities. Shep Fields and his Rippling Rhythm Orchestra, Manhattan Beach Baths, Brooklyn, NY.

 

The Police Anchor Club held its first Orphan’s Day Outing, eight hundred and sixty-one Orphan’s were taken by buses from the Orphanages of the Catholic Protectory and Holy Angels school of the Bronx, The Hebrew Orphan Asylum, 1560 Amsterdam Avenue, NYC and the Mission of the Immaculate Virgin and St. Michaels Home of Staten Island. Upon arrival at their destination the children donned bathing suits and went swimming. Those who could not swim were given lessons in the art under the directions of Clare Bee, Physical Director. Lunch was served in the cafeteria, following which came the water circus. Later to the band stand where Shep Fields and his entertainers put on a two hour show at which Middleweight Champion Mickey Walker appears and in the cause became arm weary autographing baseballs for the children.

 

President John J. Boyle, Chairman, attributed the success of the outing to the untiring efforts of the members. It would be difficult to say what the children enjoyed most. The majority of them seem to think learning to swim was the greatest fun. All of them agreed that nothing had been left undone to make the day a pleasant and never-to-be forgotten one.”

 

Sometimes in life the past and the present cross paths and allow us to look back and see the outcome of our actions. I’d like to reflect on two such events and the lessons you taught.

  

Lesson 1 – Christian charity

 

A few years ago, the anchor club held it’s annual  Christmas party at the Immaculate Conception center in Douglaston, due to a snow storm our spiritual director was unable to attend and could not make the invocation, We quickly asked for a retired priest to come down from his residence and say a few words.  Msgr. Keane walked up to the mike and informed us he was a former recipient of our charity. His father, a NYC Policemen died at an early age leaving a family behind and 5 small children, for his mother to feed and rise alone. He retold with emotion the time two members of the Anchor Club appeared at his door to purchase his first suit, the won he wore to his confirmation. That suit is long gone, but the lesson you taught that old priest was the best sermon he ever heard on Christian charity, and you never spoke a word…your actions spoke volumes.

 

 Lesson # 2 – Christian love

 

Barney Ferguson a loyal and active member of this club, never missed the opportunity to tell others about this club and our mission to protect, defend and serve the widow and children of deceased officers both LOD and natural causes. Barney was instrumental in keeping our club afloat during the lean years, and for that we’ll always be grateful. While on one of his many missions to put the arm on someone, he found himself at a country club in Westchester County standing in front of the starter.  He began by telling him who is was and where he was from. The words “Police Anchor Club” hadn’t left his mouth before the starter raised his hand, stopping him short of explaining the clubs mission. The starter, you see was an orphan who witnessed first hand the lesson you taught him on - Christian love.

 

We never did get that golf outing off the ground, but Barney’s wife tells me he’s a scratch golfer and Phil Michelson was last seen carrying his clubs.

 

Brothers and Friends,

You have stood in the defense of God, for his widow and his orphans. You have shared your faith with benevolence and charity. You have brought principle, honor and love to a world that teaches expediency and immorality. You have stood where others could not be found. Continue to labor in the love of God with the steadfast clarity of your convictions for…You are the salt of the earth…You are the light of the world.

 

 

Thank you.

Kevin Lyons

President