(Editor's note: the Seafarers LOG reserves the right to edit letters for grammar as well as space provisions without changing the writer's intent. The LOG welcomes letters from members, pensioners, their families and shipmates and will publish them on a timely basis.)
Remembering a Man
Dedicated to Labor
Paul Hall was one of the greatest union leaders of our time. He died in 1980 after being a member of the executive board of the AFL-CIO. Paul was greatly admired and respected for the leadership and courage he displayed. His strength and foresight will always serve as an example to those who strive to further the mission of the labor movement.
My association with Paul Hall, years ago, was as a picket captain on the New York waterfront. We had to battle the commies and company goons, using steel helmets and garbage can lids for shields. Paul Hall helped many unions in distress, especially the Wall Street Clerical Workers.
It was men like Paul Hall who gave us the highest standard of living in the world. Without them, the American worker today would be living the life of coolies.
Peter Salvo
Clarion, Pa.
Thanks to Union
For Great Medical Plan
The purpose of this letter is to express my gratitude to the union and to the Baltimore hall, especially Port Agent Dennis Metz. For the past year, I have been battling a rare and deadly form of cancer. I have survived at least five major surgical procedures, some lasting fourteen hours and with a recovery period of 30 days or more before I could even stand without the aid of crutches.
I can't begin to describe the absolute physical and emotional devastation caused by the post-operative care such as chemotherapy and radiation. I fought hard and stayed positive to conquer this disease. However, the brunt of the success so far is owed to the union's medical plan, which has provided me with the level of expertise found at the Johns Hopkins Cancer Center in Baltimore.
When it was discovered, the cancer was in its final stage, and the outlook was bleak. Through the skill of the surgeons and my unwillingness to succumb, at last examination it does appear to have been arrested for the time being.
I will never be able to repay the debt owed by me to the union, for the price is my very life. As for the quality of professionalism displayed by Dennis Metz and the invaluable assistance he has given me and my wife and children throughout this difficult emotional and financial hardship, I can't thank him enough.
Mr. Metz was highly instrumental in securing Social Security disability benefits for myself and family as well as other requests made by me of him. Once again, I wish to declare my highest degree of gratitude to all parties concerned at every level and to very humbly thank you.
Gerard T. Costello
Dundalk, Md.
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