Bronx Chamber Of Commerce Veteran's Luncheon

  Thursday the Bronx Chamber of Commerce held its annual Bronx Veterans Luncheon. Veterans from the past wars gathered at Masteros Caterers to salute their comrades who fought with them and those who did not make it home. The Chamber honored five retired and one active service members.

  Seated above are the honorees, Retired Sergeant First Class Peter C. Del-Debbio, Retired U.S. Marine Joe Faix, Retired U. S. Marine Lance Corporal Carrie H. Taft, Active National Guard and NYPD officer Sergeant Jena K. Quadland, Korea War Veteran Richard J. Naclerio, and Retired Navy Specialist Michael Borrero. 

Above - The crowded room as the Veterans celebrate their friends after the award ceremony. 

Below - More veterans and their spouses.

Above - Bronx Chamber of Commerce Chairman Joseph Kelleher is happy to introduce the new President of the Chamber Ms. Lisa Sorin as they are interviewed for Bronxnet Television.

Below - BCC Chairman Kelleher also showed off his singing talent during the luncheon.

Above - Everyone applauded the singing of BCC Chairman Joseph Kelleher.

Below - The final note of the luncheon, the playing of taps for those veterans who have died.

Bronx Chamber of Commerce Veteran's Luncheon "Salute to the Heros"

  Five of the famous Tuskegee Airmen - Airmen Floyd Carter, Wilfred DeFour, Dabney Montgomery, Joseph Spooner, and Pilot Audley Coulthurst were on hand along with veterans from other U.S. wars for this celebration of their service to the United States of America by the Bronx Chamber of Commerce. BCC President Lenny Caro opened the luncheon by thanking each and everyone of the attendees who had served in the armed forces. Caro pointed to a memorial wall that was set up with the names of former armed forces members who "gave their life so we could be here", Mr. Caro said. After the national anthem was sung by PEPE (from Alive & Kickin) who was accompanied by a trio of bagpipers a short video tribute was played. Father Richard Gorman then gave the invocation. 

  Keynote speaker Senator Jeff Klein said that it should not be only on one day that members of the armed forces are remembered. He went on to say that unemployment is the highest among returning veterans. Klein added that starting in January 2014 any business in NY state will get a $5,000.00 tax break for every new veteran they hire. Klein had his staff members present proclamations to the five Tuskegee airmen present at the luncheon. Other speakers were Thomas Messina from Congressman Crowley's office (who also had citations for the airmen), Terrance Holliday the Commissioner of Veteran's Affair for Mayor Bloomberg, Hugh Meehan of sponsor AT&T, and Captain Matthew E. Loughlin of the NROTC unit SUNY Maritime College.

 

Left & Right - Two of Senator Klein's aids give citations from Sen. Klein to the airmen.

 

Left - One Airman checks over the citation from Sen. Klein.

Right - Father Richard Gorman chats with the Tuskegee Airmen after the luncheon.

Left - Geri Sciortinoof the BCC chats with the Airmen.

Right - Sen. Klein and the airmen as the show Sen. Klein's citation. Sorry, but the lighting was bad on this shot.

 

Left - PEPE from Alive & Kickin sings the National Anthem.

Right - Bag Pipers from the FDNY accompany him during the National Anthem.

Left - The memorial wall to fallen members of the armed forces.

Right - Mr. Caro with two of the Tuskegee Airmen and other veteran's.

Left - Mr. Caro, Senator Klein, Captain Loughlin and others in front of the memorial wall.

Right - Members of the NAM KNIGHTS a five borough chapter of Vietnam Veterans.