Page 14 - Work Force July-August 2022

Food drive for veterans extra special for local president
POUGHKEEPSIE — Ken Crusie’s smile on a recent morning confirmed that CSEA members in Dutchess County did something extra special.
Crusie, who serves as president of both the Dutchess County Local and the Village of Wappingers Falls Unit, met up with Jim Mullen, who heads the veterans food pantry at the nearby Castle Point VA Medical Center.
Crusie and Mullen then emptied the entire Dutchess County Local office of non-perishable food donations that CSEA members from bargaining units within the local donated during the local’s second annual food drive for veterans. The donations filled Castle Point’s transit van to capacity.
Feeding local veterans in need is a cause that Dutchess County Local members rallied behind. To Crusie, the project holds a special place in his heart.
“My older brother died in Vietnam
and my parents dedicated the rest
of their lives after that to everything veterans-related,” said Crusie. “My dad was an active volunteer at Castle Point and my mom was very active in Gold Star Mothers. Being involved in helping in some way has been part of my life since I was a kid.”
Crusie spearheaded the local’s first food drive last year, something he said was a way of unifying the local after prolonged separation due to the pandemic. Local and unit officers were excited to assist, spending time this year delivering collection boxes to worksites.
As always, CSEA members came through in a generous way.
“People were pretty happy and excited that we were doing this again this year,” said Crusie. “It means a lot to me for us to be able to help the veterans in our community.”
Mullen noted that the timing of the food drive was particularly helpful. Organizations tend to hold food
Dutchess County Local President Ken Crusie, left, helps Castle Point VA Medical Center volunteer Jim Mullen fill one of the hospital’s vans with non-perishable food donations that CSEA members in local government units across the county collected in May. Mullen is the lead volunteer running the veterans food pantry based at Castle Point. On average, the food pantry serves roughly 100 local veterans on an ongoing basis. Mullen picked up an entire vanload of food from the Dutchess County Local Office in Poughkeepsie following the successful food drive.
drives primarily around Thanksgiving and Christmas, which can leave them running low on supplies during the summer months.
Crusie said local officers hope to make the food drive an annual
tradition.
— Jessica Ladlee
Veterans Committttee mourns fallen soldiers
Long Island Region Veterans Committee Chair Maryann Phelps, right, leads the committee’s annual Memorial Day observance at Calverton National Cemetery.
WADING RIVER — CSEA Long Island Region Veterans Committee members and guests gathered at Calverton National Cemetery for the committee’s annual Memorial Day ceremony.
This year, the ceremony was held at the grave of Matthew E. Mizrahi, son-in-law of Veterans Committee member J.J. Kremm. At the event, Kremm and his daughter, Catherine T. Kremm, tearfully shared anecdotes about Mizrahi’s short life. It was a beautiful tribute to a brave man who the Kremm family described as giving and always willing to help others.
Next, readings in honor of fallen and missing soldiers were spoken.
After the ceremony, attendees dispersed to place American flags at the graves of people associated with CSEA.
The committee also recently held its annual Flag Day ceremony and car wash to benefit local veterans in need.
— Wendi Bowie
14 The Work Force
July-August 2022