THANK YOU!
On behalf of the entire Support
Our Troops Rally Committee, I would like to thank everyone who took the time tonight to come here and show their support for
our men and women in uniform, and for their families here at home.
I want to thank our elected officials
who made the time to be here and show that they care for our Troops;
Senator Rick Santorum, Congressman
Bob Brady, State Representative Marie Lederer, District Attorney Lynne Abraham, Judge Jimmy Lynn, Councilman Frank DiCicco,
Councilwoman Joan Krajewski, Councilman Frank Rizzo, Councilman Juan Ramos and Councilman Jack Kelly. All of the Councilmembers
and their staffs, helped cut miles of red tape to get us the permits, etc. that we needed.
I didn’t forget State Representative
John Taylor; John and his entire staff have worked with and put up with us from the very beginning. We couldn’t have
pulled this off their help and support.
Special thanks as well to Barb
McCabe from the Fairmount Park Commission and the Friends of Campbell Square group for all of her patience and support getting
us the stage.
I have to thank all of the members
of our City’s Labor Unions; especially Teamsters Local 107, Plumbers Local 690, Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 5, Firefighters
Local 22, Stagehands Local 8, Roofers Local 30 and Electricians Local 98. Organized Labor’s support of the Rally helped
to make it a success.
Thank you to all of our Veterans
Organizations who came out to support the next generation of our Nation’s Veterans. The American Legion, the Korean
War Veterans Assoc., the Vietnam Veterans of America, the Marine Corps League, and all of the men and women who have served
our Country in both war and peace. You commitment and dedication to our Nation’s Freedom will always be appreciated.
Thank you to the members of the
82nd Airborne Associations Honor Guard, and to the Color Guard of Walter Mason Post 152 of the American Legion.
Thank you to all of the Fraternal
and Community Organizations who helped support the Rally. The Port Richmond Community Group, Port Richmond on Patrol Civic
Assoc., Friends of Campbell Square, Fishtown Neighbors Assoc., and an organization which I am very proud to be a member, the
Ancient Order of Hibernians.
Special thanks to Jack Meehan,
the National President of the A.O.H. who came from Boston to lend his support, to A.O.H. National Vice President Seamus Boyle,
to retired Army Colonel J. J. Kelly, the National Chairman of the A.O.H.’s Veterans Affairs Committee, who came here
from Virginia, to Jim Green, the Pennsylvania State A.O.H. President who traveled here from Pittsburgh, and Pennsylvania State
Secretary Gerry Ennis for attending. Thank you to A.O.H. Firefighters Division 22 for bringing “Big Green” their
antique fire engine to the Rally. And thank you to all of the officers and members of the Philadelphia A.O.H. and L.A.O.H.
for showing you commitment to our veterans and their families.
Thank you to Paul Eisemann for
creating and bringing his beautiful tribute to our soldiers… it was greatly appreciated. And thank you to the young
ladies of the Rizzo PAL Center’s
Positive Images Program, for helping here tonight with Operation Yellow Ribbon, but also for all that your group has done
over the years to support our Troops.
Special thanks to the Philadelphia
Police & Fire Pipes and Drums for their musical salute to our troops. Also,
thank you to Bob Thomas for his beautiful singing of our National Anthem. And thank you to Rachel Wilson and Caitlyn Jacob
for leading us in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Thank you’s to all of the
businesses, organizations and people who donated to special projects for the Rally. Celtic Shirts & J.P. Tees for our
Operation Yellow Ribbon shirts; McElvarr / McBride Funeral Homes for the ribbon for Operation Yellow Ribbon; K.D. Financial
Services for our Until Each One Is Home wristbands; Jean's Crafts for the Lapel Ribbons and Rally Bows; Can Do Mechanical,
The Gessler Group and LAOH Division 87 for the Glow Stix, Linke Printing for our Rally Posters, and to everyone who in any
way donated to make this Rally a success.
As the Coordinator of the Troop
Rally, I have to thank my Committee members for all of their hard work and patience. Port Richmond’s
own Patty Pat Kozlowski, Dot Jacob, Mary Ann Trombette, Dennis Raffa, Bill and Helen Schiffler, Brian Stevenson, Maria Gallagher,
Dan Hazley, and Laura Kelly.
And finally, Thank You to all
of the people who braved a cool, damp September evening to come out and show their support for our men and women in uniform,
the families, and our honored veterans.
Sincerely,
Phil Bowdren
Rally Coordinator
