By Dee Richard
Just when you thought the Memorial Day festivities were all over, we were invited to attend one more. It was the final cocktail party/buffet Fleet Week Celebration at the fabulous Water Club in Manhattan.
The host was the American Legion 9/11 Memorial Post 2001. The post commander is John P. Powers. The honorees were Bruce Mosler and Jamie Diamon. It was an impressive turnout. It gave everyone there a great sense of pride and security. It was an opportunity to be able to hobnob with naval servicemen, which included U.S. Marines. When you meet them up-close and personal, it’s a comforting feeling as our military men are outstanding.
In the It’s a Small World Department, I ran into an old acquaintance there, Georgette Mosbacher. I haven’t seen her since we were both involved in the Women for Giuliani campaign. I forgot to ask Georgette if Giuliani is serious about running for president in 2012, but whatever Georgette is doing, she looks gorgeous. Her face is perfect, not a wrinkle or blemish on it. Georgette, what’s your secret? I believe she was connected with the cosmetics industry. If whatever she is producing is responsible for her appearance, sign me up.
It was an inspiring evening in a lovely place. I’ll end by quoting the American Legion theme that “freedom is not free.”
June 1 was quite a change of pace. It was the state Conservative Party’s annual state dinner and a successful one it was for party Chairman Michael Long and his wife Eileen. There must have been between 350 to 400 guests in attendance. The theme of their diner was “Recovering Row C.” One of the guests of honor who might be considered one of the party’s favorite sons was none other than former gubernatorial candidate Carl Paladino, whose campaign generated a lot of enthusiasm and actually brought many voters out for the Conservative Line. The dinner was held in the New York Sheraton on Seventh Avenue and 53rd Street.
The evening’s honoree was U.S. Sen. Tom Coburn (R-Okla.). He was the recipient of the Charles Edison Memorial Award. Charles Edison was one of the founders of Conservative Party in 1962.
Coburn’s first career was as an accountant. When his family’s business, Coburn Optical Industries of Colonial Heights, Va., was sold, Coburn went back to school to start his second career with a degree in medicine. He graduated from Oklahoma Medical School in 1983. Prior to his 2004 election, he had also served three terms as a congressman.
The total of Coburn’s past careers and experiences has made him qualified to serve in the capacity that he does. He was the keynote speaker at the dinner. He addressed many of the various problems the United States faces today. His suggestions to solve problems were clear and concise and made common sense. It makes you wonder why our electeds do not embrace them or do we really know what the answer is even though we really would rather not know? Sticking your head in the sand is never a solution.
Tom Long had many of his members in attendance. There was an interesting mix of attendees. The Haggerty brothers, John and Bart, were there with City Councilman Eric Ulrich, also from Queens, as were members of the Queens GOP Executive Committee as well as several members from the Queens Village Republican Club.
Two of the most interesting men there were John Catsimatidis and Ed Cox, the fathers of one of the biggest political weddings of the year. Catsimatidis’ daughter Andrea married Cox’s son Christopher June 4 at the Greek Orthodox Church of the Holy Trinity on Manhattan’s Upper East Side. The reception was held at the Waldorf-Astoria for more than 700 guests. I guess my invitation must have gotten lost in the mail. This makes them the newest Republican power couple, as they each married into a powerful Republican family. Congratulations to the bride and groom.
On Sunday, for the first time since it started, I missed the Queens Gay Pride Parade. Forgive me, but a cousin’s grandson’s family in Connecticut was giving him a graduation party and we had to attend. Family comes first — otherwise, I would have been there. You know, I always support you.
That’s it for this week.
I look forward to your voice mails at 718-767-6484, faxes at 718-746-0066 and e-mails at deerrichard@aol.com.
Till next week, Dee.
