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. |