Page 16 - May2021
P. 16

Recording Secretary’s Report
Is your beneficiary information up to date?
 Greetings, Lodge 7 mem- bers.
I have mentioned before that it is extremely import- ant to update your benefi- ciary information here at the Lodge, with the Department and with the Pension Fund. Please note that they are three separate entities that do not communicate with
each other. You must check with each entity to ensure that all your beneficiary information is updated.
This is crucial information because it involves your family, if God forbid some- thing should happen to you. So please contact the Pension Fund, the Depart- ment and your union to ensure that all is good on your beneficiary front.
The tragic sudden passing of Offi- cer Israel Martinez at 27 years old dis- plays once again that tomorrow is not promised. Israel was one of the best and brightest the job could ever have. He was a military veteran and nearly four-year
member of the department. More im- portantly, he was loved and adored by his parents, sisters, extended family, and friends.
I did not know Israel, but I did have the pleasure of meeting his wonderful family. They were completely devastated by his
passing. Sadly, another tragedy occurred in the Martinez family after Israel’s fu- neral. Israel’s mother suffered a medi- cal emergency and succumbed to her illness after only a few short days. What the Martinez family has gone through in a few weeks, most families will never ex- perience.
We have done our best here at the Lodge to assist this family in their time of need. It is the right thing to do, and we would do the same for all our brothers and sisters. I will say that Israel and his family embody all that is good in Ameri- ca, Illinois and our Blue family. Israel and his mother are gone too soon, but never forgotten.
Please do not forget how important you all are to your families. Going home safely after each tour is never a small task. Take care of yourself on and off duty, so you can take care of your loved ones.
Your Lodge is here for you. We are only a phone call away. Contact me at rnoce- da@chicagofop.org.
   ROB NOCEDA
 16 CHICAGO LODGE 7 ■ MAY 2021




















































































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