B   M   W   E
JOURNAL
 
ONLINE VERSION VOLUME 106 - NUMBER 9 - OCTOBER 1997
 
BMWE Coalition Holds Annual Picnic
 
Over 400 members and their families from 13 Subordinate Lodges enjoyed a sunny day of solidarity at the seventh annual picnic of the BMWE United Coalition of Greater Kansas City which was held on Saturday, August 16, 1997 at the Wyandotte County Fairgrounds.

In addition to the good food and good company, a number of activities took place throughout the day including volleyball, horseshoes, bingo, pony rides, face painting, chalk art, egg toss. A number of gifts were given away among those who registered and received a free ticket. A raffle was also held for a television set.

Charlie Forbes, Coalition President and Assistant State Legislative Director, served as master of ceremonies while Mark Irwin, Coalition Secretary-Treasurer manned the Maintenance of Way Political League (MWPL) donation bucket along with Gary Scott, Missouri State Legislative Director. A $500 MWPL check was presented to Phil Scaglia of Rep. Karen McCarthy's office by Forbes and Scott.

Speakers included Mac A. Fleming, BMWE President, who thanked the crowd for their efforts in fighting off the attack on railroad retirement occupational disability benefits. William E. LaRue, BMWE Secretary-Treasurer, spoke briefly about the importance of contributing to the MWPL. A plaque was presented to Sue Pollan, widow of BMWE member Robert who passed away last year, in honor of his dedication to his union brothers and sisters and his help and support of the KC Coalition.

In support of our UPS brothers and sisters, blue ribbons were handed out and worn. Also $253 was raised and taken to the Teamsters for UPS strikers. In addition, after the picnic an entourage of BMWE members went to the picket line with food from the picnic and walked the line with the strikers.

First Place winners of the volleyball tournament included Leonard Frith, Dale Randolph, Terry Love, Brenda Love-Randolph, Kristie Blunt and Wayne Fielder. Winners of the horseshoe tournament were First Place Team of Darrell Helton and Dennis Schmuck and the 2nd Place Team of Gene Straud and Bob McVey, winners of the horseshoe tournament.

Forbes thanked those who worked to make the picnic a success: Coalition Vice President Ed Pridgen, Mark Irwin, Gary Scott, Peggy Owens, Barb Mead, Mary Stone, Kim Hoag, Sue Pollan, Dan, Linda and Hattie Brewer, Megan Forbes, Kelly Stockton, and especially wife Brenda Forbes for donating the TV that was raffled.
 
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