Good of the Order

Good of the Order

The seven associate lodges affiliated with the R.I. State Lodge have active organizations. They are involved in their communities and participate in local events.
Associate lodges and members are invited to submit stories of interest for “Good of the Order.” Articles about lodge activities, civic or charitable events, or profiles of members are encouraged. Please e-mail articles and pictures to candy_seel@mac.com. Scroll down the page to see what’s going on.   Newport Lodge #8  Newport Lodge #8 News David Myers, President of Newport FOPA Lodge #8, sends us the following report on their June 2010 meeting:
“On 08 June 2010, Newport, RI FOPA Lodge 8 held its monthly meeting at the Elks Lodge, Pelham St, Newport, RI. This was the second year for our Annual Ticket Raffle. Mr. George Rideout, the Committee Chairman for the ticket raffle, was congratulated on his well deserved accomplishment by being awarded a FOPA Certificate of Appreciation. It is so nice when hard work is justly rewarded. The Raffle was a success from all standpoints. The winner breakdown is as follows: one $100.00 winner, three $50.00 winners and 10 $25.00 winners, leaving us with a profit of $250.  “We will be on summer vacation in July and August and return in September.”
For more information on Newport Lodge #8, please contact David Myers at dmyers@cityofnewport.com. 
North Providence FOPA Lodge #13 Lodge #13 May Newsletter Released North Providence Lodge #13 Secretary Marybeth Sulkowski has just published the lodge’s latest newsletter. President Lew Pucci (pictured at left) and his members have had a busy Spring. Their Police Memorial Service was held on Sunday, May 16. They will march in North Providence’s 3rd Annual Memorial Day Parade, and they’re planning for their annual June breakfast on Sunday, June13. Click here (lodge_13_may10.pdf) to download the newsletter in its entirety.   For past newsletters, click to download a pdf from November 2008 (lodge 13 nov news.doc), December 2008 (lodge_13_dec08.pdf), January 2009 (lodge_13_jan09.pdf), February 2009 (lodge_13_feb09_news.pdf), April 2009 (lodge_13_apr09.pdf), May 2009 (lodge 13 may news.pdf), June 2009 (lodge 13 june_09 news.pdf), September 2009 (lodge 13 sept_09 news.pdf), October 2009 (lodge 13 oct_09 news.pdf), November 2009 (lodge_13_nov09.pdf), December 2009 (lodge_13_dec09.pdf), January 2010 (lodge_13_jan10.pdf), February 2010 (lodge_13_Feb10.pdf), and March ((lodge_13_mar10 .pdf).
Westerly Lodge #10  Westerly Lodge #10 Holds Its Annual May Dinner Westerly Yacht Club was the setting for the joint Westerly Lodge #10 FOP/FOPA dinner meeting on May 12. R.I. State Loge FOPA President Candy Seel and her husband Jerry were honored to be invited as guests of the lodge. After an hour-long cocktail reception, a delicious buffet was served. Before guests sat down for dinner, state Attorney General Patrick Lynch addressed the group. After dinner, Chief of Police Edward Mello awarded Westerly police officers awards of merit in several areas, and a local comedian also entertained the assembly. The evening was capped off with a raffle sponsored by the FOPA. Pictures of the evening are below, courtesy of Bro. Jerry Seel.
 
East Providence FOPA Lodge #1
East Providence FOP/FOPA Lodge #1 Host Police Memorial Service The City of East Providence held its 6th Annual East Providence Police Officers Memorial Service on Sunday, May 15, at the East Providence police station. R.I. State Loge FOPA President Candy Seel moderated the service, which honored the 105 East Providence police officers who have passed away – either through natural causes or in the line of duty – since the formation of the East Providence Police Department in the late 1880s.
Pictured below are top, l-r: R.I. State Lodge President Candy Seel at the podium; East Providence Lodge #1 FOP President Paul Rodrigues and East Providence Lodge #1 FOPA President Pat Brooks reading the roll call of heroes; East Providence Police Chief Joseph Tavares addressing the attendees; bottom, l-r: members of the East Providence Police Force salute the flag; laying the memorial wreath; members of Elks Riders motorcycle club of B.P.O.E. Lodge #2337 pay their respects to their law enforcement brothers. Photos courtesy of Bro.Jerry Seel.

 
Cumberland Lodge # 14  East Bunny Makes a Stop in Cumberland This Spring, the easter bunny visited Cumberland, and Bro. Rob Rainville was there to snap some shots.
 
Cumberland Lodge #14 Cumberland Lodge #14 FOP and FOPA Hold Annual Installation Dinner Cantina diMarco Restaurant in Cumberland was the setting for the annual installation dinner of Cumberland FOP and FOPA officers. FOP President Rob Fay and Vice President Mike Ride continue in their offices, as does FOPA President Mike Tessier. The group was honored to have State Senator Peter Kilmartin give the keynote address. State FOPA President Candy Seel and Jerry Seel were in attendance, as was State FOP Vice President Bob O’Donnell, who swore in the officers.
above left: Mike Tessier, Cumberland Lodge #14 FOPA president, RI State Rep. Peter Kilmartin and Cumberland Police Deputy Chief Michael Kinch; above right: State FOP Vice President Robert O’Donnell, Cumberland Lodge #14 FOP President Rob Fay, Vice President Mike Ride, FOPA State Trustee Anthony Marchetti, FOPA State President Candy Seel , Cumberland Lodge #14 FOPA Vice President Bob Dias and Mike Tessier. (Photographer: Rob Rainville) 
Washington County Lodge #40  Washington County Lodge #40 Member Chris Lyskawa  Commended for Heroic Service
Washington County member and State Lodge FOPA Treasurer Christopher Lyskawa was honored recently at Cranston City Hall, along with several of his colleagues from the Cranston Fire Department. Chris’ crew was commended for rescuing a Cranston resident who had been trapped in a tree in a flooded area, and Chris himself received special recognition for his efforts. Cranston Mayor Allan Fung and the Cranston City Council presented the citations. Brother Lyskawa’s first-person account follows (below the photo essay).

Brother Lyskawa shown above with Mayor Fung, brother Cranston Fire Department firefighters and Cumberland member and State Lodge FOPA Sergeant-at-Arms Rob Rainville. (Photographer: Rob Rainville)

Chris describes the incident and recounts his thoughts about his job, his brother firefighters and the Cranston residents they serve:
“Suffice to say, it was extremely overwhelming and at times tough to see people losing everything. When you go into someone’s home to pump water from the basement and see that all of their possessions are under 6 ft or more of water, you realize the gravity of what Mother Nature has brought. Just imagine losing your important documents, financial records, clothing, furniture, and most importantly, family pictures and/or heirlooms you might've had in a special spot.
“Sad to say the least. And also imagine seeing this in just one home, in one district of the City, knowing that there are 50- 150 homes similar to this one. And this was just during the last flooding of the Pawtuxet River. Outside, we have seen commercial dumpsters floating by, navigated around cars that were left when the flood waters rose as they floated by. Pretty remarkable.
“As for the Commendation, that was for a well orchestrated team effort by more than half of the shift on the 3rd Platoon that night. We rescued a stranded boater who, with another friend, decided it would be a good idea to take out in a John Boat in a 10- to 15-knot current. When they decided to turn into the current, the lack of horsepower from their trolling motor and inadequate amount of freeboard on the boat was a catastrophic mixture of sorts. They couldn't turn quickly enough and the tippiness of the boat allowed it to 'swamp' almost instantaneously.
“One made it to shore and the other guy was stuck on a tree branch with rising river water for about an hour and a half. Suffering from mild exposure and hypothermia, we plucked him from the tree, brought him happily to shore and placed him in the care of the waiting Rescue. Who knows what would've become of him had the friend not been able to identify where they were or there wasn't someone with a phone nearby where they went into the water who had a phone for calling 911.
“By the way, as for the boat, it still has not been found to this date, even after the waters have receded. Grim thought but otherwise a great effort by all of the Members of the Cranston FD who took part in this Rescue. The outcome was outstanding, especially when the guy thanked us and told me, ‘he was going home to hug his wife and three children.’”
Thanks, Chris, for this stirring account and for your and your brothers’ efforts in making it possible for this Cranston resident to go home and hug his family