THE GRAND COUNCIL OF EMERALDS

"AROUND THE EMERALD GREEN"

The Grand Council

returns to Forest Hills on

Wednesday, June 5, 2024,

at The Manor Oktoberfest,

7311 Yellowstone Blvd, Forest Hills, NY 11375

Emerald a Chara/Dear Emerald,

Instead of our usual April monthly meeting, the Grand Council gathered for a Night with NYPD Emerald Denis Mulcahy and a special screening of "How to Defuse a Bomb—The Project Children Story" on Wednesday, April 1, 2024, at the Madison Theatre on the campus of Molloy University, Rockville Centre, NY. The Grand Council was proud to be a Gold Sponsor of the event.

Established in 1975, Project Children is a non-profit organization that fosters peace in Northern Ireland. For more than four decades, this remarkable organization operated a summer program that offered respite to over 23,000 young Catholic and Protestant children, shielding them from the daily violence and unrest in their community. Through the kindness of over 16,000 host families, these children found solace and support during their time away from home. Although the summer program came to a close in 2015, its impact on the lives of these children and families continues to resonate, embodying the spirit of hope and unity that Project Children stands for.

The Project Children Summer Work and Travel program, established in 1995, offers young adults a transformative experience. Participants start their journey by collaborating on projects with Habitat for Humanity before delving into the American work culture through a seven-week internship with a US company while embraced by their American host family.

After the film, Denis shared Project Children's plans for the 50th-anniversary celebration in Fall 2025. The organization is now focused on rolling out its "Move to Monaghan" Peace Campus fundraising campaign.

The Project Children Picnic and 5k fundraiser will be held on October 20, 2023, at the Rockland GAA, Orangeburg, NY 10962.

Thanks to Project Children Ambassadors Dermot Kelly, Brian J. Sharkey, and Cathy Muscente of Molloy University for hosting us. We also appreciate all the Emeralds, organizations, and supporters who turned out, including Gareth Hargadon, the Deputy Consul General of Ireland, New York, and Kevin Murphy, NYC PBA.

The Grand Council is committed to connecting affiliated organizations and encouraging them to support each other's events with reciprocal agreements of like-kind donations.

To ensure the best possible promotion for your event, please email the flyer and any pertinent information to info@gcues.org at least two to three months in advance—also, mail pictures from the event to the same email address.

I look forward to seeing you at The Manor Oktoberfest of Forest Hills on Wednesday, June 5, 2024. The meeting starts at 7:30 pm. Refreshments and Dinner will be served.

Fraternally,

Martin Bellew

President

*Updated edition (May 14, 2024), with new information*

April 1, 2024 Molloy University

POLICE WEEK 2024

In 1962, President Kennedy declared May 15 National Peace Officers Memorial Day, and the calendar week of May 15 falls as National Police Week. National Police Week is a time to honor and pay tribute to law enforcement officers who have lost their lives while protecting others.

The Grand Council proudly acknowledges our seventeen affiliated Law Enforcement Emerald Societies and all Law Enforcement Officers. We pledge unwavering support to those who wear the badge and risk their lives daily to protect and serve.

2024 Affiliation Form

2024 GCUES Affiliate Information /Delegate Sheet

*PRESIDENTS*

PLEASE SENT IN YOUR 2024 DUES

If you are unsure if you paid, call or email me.

Brian J. Sharkey

516-643-1900

bjsgarda317@icloud.com

PAY 2024 DUES

EMERALD NEWS

NCLEES

National Conference of Law Enforcement Emerald Societies

NCLEES has been instrumental in promoting and preserving the rich Irish-American culture within the law enforcement and public safety community for over a quarter of a century. The organization has also been a source of support, education, and camaraderie across the United States.

We salute NCLEES as it continues to serve as a unifying force for the Irish-American law enforcement and public safety community.

The GCUES has seventeen affiliated Law Enforcement Emerald Societies organizations out of twenty-eight affiliated organizations.

Current WDCA PES President Patrick O'Brien (Bayridge, Brooklyn native) founded NCLEES and served as its first President.

2023-2025 Executive Board

President

Robert J. Kearns,

Jersey City Police Emerald Society

First Vice President

Sean M. McCarthy,

Boston Police Emerald Society *

Second Vice President

Andrew Hale,

Emerald Society of Missouri

Third Vice President

Joseph A. Smith,

Greater Pittsburgh Police Emerald Society

Executive Director

Michael Pitcher,

Nassau County Police Emerald Society*

Treasurer

John Rowley,

Emerald Society of New Jersey Essex County

Recording Secretary

Cynthia Schultz,

Jersey City Police Emerald Society

Financial Secretary

Mark Matthews,

Metro Atlanta Police Emerald Society

Sergeant at Arms

Brian Patrick Burke,

San Francisco Bay Area Law Enforcement Emerald Society

*GCUES affiliated organization

Police Week Schedule

NCLEES reception with Ireland Ambassador to the United States Geraldine Byrne at The Residence of the Ambassador of Ireland, Monday, May 13, 2024, 4 pm. 2221 30th NW, Washington DC 20008

NCLEES Business Meeting Tuesday, May 14, 2024, at 9:00 am at the Hyatt Place Washington DC/Georgetown/West 2121 M St. NW, Washington, DC 20037

NCLEES Pipeband Memorial March & Service Wednesday, May 15, 2024. staging will be at 5 pm at New Jersey Avenue and F Street NW. The March steps off at 6 pm.

NCLEES.ORG

NCLEES RECEPTION WITH AMB. BYRNE

The Grand Council was well representative at the NCLEES reception with Ambassador Geraldine Byrne Nason at the residence of the Ambassador of Ireland on Monday, May 13, 2024.

The GCUES Board of Directors in attendance were Past President Micheal Pitcher, AZLEES President Erin Ring, BPES President Sean McCarthy, and Wash DC PES President Patrick O'Brien (NCLEES founder and 1st President).

Picture 1- GCUES Past President Michael Pitcher, Ambassador Geraldine Byrne, Jake Pitcher

Picture 2- Jake and Mike Pitcher, *AZLEES President Erin Ring, * AZLEES VP Kimberly Wyatt, & *HVPES VP John McCarthy

Picture 1- NCLEES Board- Executive Director Mike Pitcher *NCPES, Sgt at Arms Brian Burke SFBALES, 1st VP Sean McCarthy *BPES, Ambassador Geraldine Byrne Nason, President Robert Kearns JCPES, Cynthia Schultz JCPES, and Financial Secretary Mark Mathews MAPES

*GCUES Affiliated Organization

NPDF DINNER

President Marty Bellew led the Emerald delegation on May 7, 2024, to Russo's on the Bay for the National Police Defense Foundation Dinner.

Congratulations to all the Honorees, especially to one of our own, Patrick J. Ryder, Police Commissioner, Nassau County Police Department and a proud member of the Police Emerald Society, Nassau County. Slaínte Paddy.

Special Recognition to Joe Occhipinti, the Founder and Executive Director of the NPDF, for his unwavering support towards the Law Enforcement community and their families.

JAMES O'LEARY

Con Ed Emerald and GCUES 2nd VP James O'Leary received Con Edison's highest honor, the 2024 Living Our Values (LOV) Award, last week.

Con Edison's "Living Our Values" award is given to the women and men who exemplify the company's values of service, honesty, concern, courtesy, teamwork, and excellence. The award was created in 1992 to recognize and honor the values and work ethic of outstanding employees who consistently serve as role models.

Con Edison is a subsidiary of Consolidated Edison, Inc. [NYSE: ED], one of the nation's largest investor-owned energy companies, with approximately $14 billion in annual revenues and $64 billion in assets. The utility delivers electricity, natural gas, and steam and serves 3.5 million New York City and Westchester County customers. Consolidated Edison Inc.'s subsidiary, Con Edison Clean Energy Businesses, is North America's second-largest solar electric owner.

Read more on Jimmy May 8, 2024, in the Irish Examiner.

DONNA MCGUIRE

The Heroes of Irish America Awards gathering occurred in Buffalo, NY, on Friday, April 26, 2024. Honorees traveled far and wide to the city by Lake Erie to be feted at a dinner in the city's convention center. Congratulations to our NYCDOE ES President and GCUES Trustee, Donna McGuire, for this outstanding achievement.

2024 Honorees

BPES ANNUAL AWARDS BANQUET

President Sean McCarthy and The Boston Police Emerald Society held their annual Awards Banquet at their Roslindale Headquarters on Saturday, April 27, 2024.

Congratulations to all the Honorees: Man of the Year: Tony Bligh, Barney McGinniskin Officer of the Year: Detective John Ricard, Lifesaving Award: PO Jose Araujo, PO Stephanie McGrath & EMS Paul Ciampa, Millie Smith Member of the Year: Det. Sgt Joe Sullivan, Det. Bruce Higgins & PO Michael McManus.

SCPO ES 55TH ANNUAL DINNER

President Nick Aspromgos and The Suffolk County Police Officers Emerald Society held its 55th Annual Dinner on Thursday, April 18, 2024, at East Wind Long Island, Wading River, NY.

Congratulations to the 2024 Honorees SCPO ES Past President Terrance Mawn, Irishman of the Year, and SCPO ES Past President Timothy Morris, Tom Finn Memorial Service Award.

WPES 56th Anniversary Dinner

President John Hynes and The Westchester County Police Emerald Society held its 56th Anniversary Dinner on April 6, 2024, at Mulinos at Lake Isle, Eastchester, NY.

Congratulations to the 2024 Honorees Irishman of the Year:

Gus Hayes, Joe Mansfield Distinguished Service Award: Westchester B.L.U.E. Foundation and the President's Award: The Pipes & Drums of the Police Emerald Society of Westchester.

President Sean McCarthy (3rd from right), GCUES Trustee Duke Bunce (4th from right), and the HVPES contingent supporting the WPES.

MAY 16, 2024

MAY 19, 2024

MAY 29, 2024

NYCDOE Emerald Society

Spring Fling Happy Hour 2024

@ Bayard's Ale House

NYCDOE Emerald Society presents NYCDOE Emerald Society Spring Fling Happy Hour 2024 @ Bayard's Ale House - Wednesday, May 29, 2024 at 533 Hudson St, New York, NY. Find event and ticket information.

SAVE THE DATE

More info

The 31^st Annual Celtic Cruise will sail from Chelsea Piers at 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, June 12, 2024. All proceeds of this event go to the Emerald Isle Immigration Center.

More info