Rescuers get help from Giuliani at Atlantic City brunch
Giuliani - the former New York City mayor and presidential candidate - spoke for 25 minutes to a sold-out crowd at the Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa...Continue Reading
In his speech, which got a standing ovation, Giuliani emphasized that police officers and firefighters need constant public support. Giuliani attributed his inherent respect for emergency workers to four uncles who were police officers and another uncle who was a firefighter.
Giuliani also credited New York's dedicated police force for transforming the 1990s "crime capital of America" into one of the safest cities in the nation.
"I knew I had to change it, and grow the city I loved so much, and I couldn't do it alone," he said. "I needed police officers with the right morale and spirit."
Giuliani, who began serving as mayor in 1994, earned international acclaim after dramatically reducing crime in New York and for his leadership following the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.
Giuliani called the Sept. 11 attacks and the aftermath showed the public what police and firefighters are all about, and he complimented the emergency workers who handled the evacuation and worked at the scene. "Right away, they put us on the road to recovery," he said. "They didn't back off or run away."
The former mayor helped the benefit set a few records, drawing 1,050 people and raising more than $25,000, said Madeline Neumann, a co-chairwoman of the event. The 200 Club, a nonprofit organization, will use the money to provide financial support for the families of police, fire and rescue workers who died in the line of duty and give scholarships to their children.
Giuliani told The Press of Atlantic City that he's visited the resort for years, first as a child in 1956 and later to play golf. He also campaigned in the region during his failed bid for the Republican presidential nomination.
The mayor gained another connection on Sunday; he became an honorary Atlantic City Beach Patrol captain, complete with a white jersey.
The event held a special significance for Andrew McMeekin, an Atlantic City firefighter.
McMeekin attended several funerals of those who died during the Sept. 11 attacks as part of the color guard. Sunday was also the anniversary of the burial of his brother, Atlantic City Police Officer Thomas John McMeekin Jr., who died in 2005 from bus injuries while diverting traffic from the scene of an accident.
McMeekin said Giuliani was an eloquent speaker and he was impressed the former mayor took time out to help the 200 Club of Atlantic and Cape May counties.
"Obviously he's been through a massive tragedy, and for him to come down and support us has been nice," McMeekin said. "This is a tough week for all of us (in the family), and to get this is very uplifting."
While the speech had a serious tone, Giuliani managed to inject some Big Apple humor during his closing remarks.
"You would do it as they did, firefighters in Atlantic City, New Jersey. You would do the same thing every day. If we just substitute the city, the same courage and patriotism would be there," he said of those who responded during Sept. 11. "The only thing we're better at in New York is baseball."
E-mail Michelle Lee: MLee@pressofac.com
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For more information about the 200 Club of Atlantic and Cape May Counties, visit :
This story was taken from the news source stated above. It is not the opinion of The Elwood Vol. Fire Company or it's members.
