Page 47 - 01_CL7_SEP20Revised2.indd

• Chicago Patrolmen’s Federal Credit Union
• Baum Sigman Auerbach & Neuman, LTD.
• Grace & Thompson
• Aetna
• Ullico Investments
• Illinois FOP State Lodge
• Metlife
• D&K Chicago Core Rehab
• State Representative Brad Stephens,
20th District
• The Firemen’s Association of Chicago
Local No.2 IAFF
• The Thomas & Christina Grusecki
Foundation
• Peerless Embroidery
• Richard’s Bar
• Scandinavian American Police & Fire Association
• Artistic Engravin
• George T. Roumell, Jr.
• Sassetti, LLC.
• Lyons & Pinner Electric Companies
• Knights of Columbus Police Council
• Talarico Law Group, LKQ Pick Your Part
Chicago
• Emerald Society of Illinois
• Dr. Terry Finn
• State Senator Bill Cunningham
• Parkway Elevators
• Polish American Police Association • Latin American Police Association • Alberto’s
• Alderman Nicholas Sposato • FOP Family Auxiliary
• Marino Chrysler Jeep Dodge • Amal Arya Corp
• BP Gas Station
• Terry’s Inc.
• Laramie & Lake Food Mart Inc.
• G&N Food & Liquor Inc.
• IBEW Local 15
• Wickstrom Auto Group
• Law Office of Lawrence H. Hyman • Homerun Inn Pizza
• Mesirow Financial
• J. Mullarkey Dist., Inc.
• Strategic Security Solutions
• Advanced Technical Services
• St. Anthony Hospital
• Teamsters Local Union No. 703
• Sunbelt Rentals
• Salernos Pizzeria & Sports Bar
• Newark Nook
• Bernstein & Associates
• Sunset Food and Liquor
• Stella Center
• X’s & O’s Lounge & Grill
• Ronald C. Dahms, Attorney at Law
• Law Offices of Brian Sexton
• IBEW Local 15
• Anderson Rasor
• Chicago Police Sergeants Association • Wintrust Financial
Fraternal Order of Police Chicago Lodge 7 Thank you to our golf outing sponsors
The breadth of the police family cre- ated a safety perimeter around Cog Hill so members, friends, guests and sup- porters from the business community could revel in a slice of normalcy. One of the revelers observing the significance of this gathering was John Capparelli, who knows what it means.
As the longtime Lodge 7 treasurer, Capparelli served as golf committee chair and event organizer the past few years. He retired earlier this year but maintains the perspective of the day’s mission.
“I think just to forget about work every day and be able to come out and enjoy the camaraderie of their brother and sis- ter officers,” he explained.
And he saw an expanded mission this year.
“With the current climate, just to be able to share these moments with police officers not standing on a corner, watch- ing rioting and looting,” Capparelli add- ed.
Clearly, the golf outing provided an an- tidote to what many on hand described as the insanity of endless 12-hour days, fatigue spreading like a virus and the poison of continually not being backed by the City. Just to be away from all that negativity and spiking the antidote with post-round refreshments addressed what is ailing Chicago Police Officers.
“With working so many 12-hour days and having days off cancelled, your mind becomes foggy,” shared Santos Romo, who played with a group of fellow offi- cers from the fourth watch in 010. “So you get to enjoy some playtime with all these guys and recharge and distract yourself.”
Even though the outing was only a day’s break from what was coming, it was a memorable day. Call it a “no-labor day” for its opportunity to not have to be the police for a day, especially the way mem- bers have had to police since Memorial Day.
And there was another rush percolat- ing from this day that members had not seen since, well, they might not even re- member when.
“Just by having this, you see the mo- rale boost,” confirmed Will Lapitan, who works in 024. “I really appreciate the FOP putting this together.”
Fore the members
Support for Lodge 7 and approval of the way it has given a voice and vision to members the past three months came from all around the golf course on this day.
Representing the business commu- nity, Joe Ficaro of Fifth Third Bank ex- claimed, “I thank them for everything they are doing every day.”
And there was omnipresent union support for the Chicago FOP. Illinois State Troopers FOP Lodge 41 sent a group to participate. So did the Chicago Police Lieutenant’s Association.
Mike Stiscak, president of the Lieu- tenant’s Association, took advantage of the opportunity to connect with Lodge 7 President John Catanzara prior to the start of the round and put a face with the voice on the phone he has been talking to often the past few months.
“Sometimes in the times of crisis, it actually brings us together,” Stiscak commented. “I heard members from all different sides talk about the voice that the new FOP leadership is giving to help
everybody. We have definitely been on the same page on a lot of issues. And you know, we agree on the future direction about how it has to work with members.”
The voice also resonated throughout the course. John Washkevich, a detec- tive with the Criminal Registration Unit who has been on for 21 years, wanted to express his support for the Lodge leader- ship by participating.
“It feels great knowing that after 20 years on the job, we have a president and his team that is out there supporting us publicly with everything that we do,” he detailed. “So when we’re out there, in the crap, we know that those guys are right behind us. They’re in the press. They’re backing us up. And that’s all we need as police officers: someone to back us up.”
And Ramos added: “I love the pres- ident. I’m all for him. That’s what we need, somebody that’s outspoken and isn’t scared to say what we’re all feeling out there. It feels good to have some backup.”
The 2020 Chicago FOP Lodge 7 golf outing would not be complete without a postscript to recognize some of those who pushed through the pandemic-in- duced limitations to make it all possible. Trustee Steve Olsen has taken over as chair of the golf committee. And Lodge 7 Administrative Assistant Brita Gaffney, who learned these ropes assisting Cap- parelli, continued to handle much of the leg work.
“She’s been running it the whole time. I just got my name up there,” Capparelli complimented. Brita does an excellent job, and I know Steve and his committee have done a wonderful job carrying on a great tradition.”
CHICAGO LODGE 7 ■ SEPTEMBER 2020 47