(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.)Retiree Remembers Paul Hall, Piney Point
On August 20, all SIU members and headquarters and Piney Point personnel will celebrate the 91st birthday of one of the greatest leaders in the American labor movement: our Paul Hall. This holiday also includes those members aboard ships at sea and in ports all around the world.
We should never permit the memory of this great man to be forgotten.
I am enclosing a clipping of an article that I wrote to the LOG 27 years ago. I have read it many times because I was proud of what I had written and that it was printed. Only a longtime friend and former shipmate, Red Campbell, outdid me, I believe. I am hoping you will agree that it is fitting for this clipping to appear in the next issue of the LOG, in honor of Paul’s legacy.
There have been many changes at our school since the year I wrote this article. Even the name has been changed. It has been greatly enlarged, and many new courses have been added. This school just keeps getting bigger and so much better for those beginners to take advantage of.
But all of this is Paul’s way of doing things. I feel certain that as he is looking down on what he left for us, he must feel very pleased at what he sees, and he must feel certain that the leadership that has taken over has fulfilled his wishes.
With my very best wishes and kindest regards to all. Support your union—it will never let you down.
Charles Lee
Camp Verde, Ariz.
Brother Lee’s original letter from 1978, which discusses the late SIU President Paul Hall, follows:
Pensioner is SIU Top to Bottom
Two years ago I received a letter which I believe was to be the most important letter I have ever received in all my life. Had I been told 40 years ago that someday I would get a letter like this, I surely would have believed that someone was trying to play a cruel joke on me. It just didn’t seem possible back in those days that someday a seaman would be able to retire with a pension.
This very important letter was from the Board of Trustees of the Seafarers Pension Plan informing me that my application for a pension had been approved.
During the past two years of my retirement, many of my evenings have been occupied with memories of my seagoing days. And what fond memories these are. Believe me, it wasn’t easy trying to live ashore in one place day in and day out after having spent more than 40 years of my life knocking around this world. But what I found to be even more difficult was having to admit to myself that I shall never again be able to go back to any one of theses places that I had been to and seen. Therefore, I must find contentment in my memories.
What better place is there to celebrate my first two years of retirement than at this beautiful and peaceful setting on the shores of the Potomac River in Maryland which all of us Seafarers know as Piney Point. Seven years ago I promised myself that before I die I must come back to this place and stay a few days in these peaceful surroundings. I am a most fortunate man indeed, as that promise has now been fulfilled.
Seven years ago I came here as a delegate from the port of New Orleans to attend an educational conference. I was very impressed with all that I saw and learned here. But what impressed me most of all was listening to those speeches of our president, Paul Hall. I had no idea that this man was such a great speaker as this was my first opportunity to hear him speak before an audience. So every morning I would look forward to listening to him talk to us at our afternoon sessions. I also learned that this man has many other fine qualities about him besides being a great speaker.
Of all the men in the history of organized labor in these United States, Paul Hall certainly stands out as one of the most dedicated to that which he represents, the maritime industry. This man for many years has given so much of his time, so much of himself in the fight to make a better way of life for those of us who go to sea. And he has succeeded. His record speaks for itself.
The speeches that this man has made on our behalf in Congress, at labor conventions and before many other gatherings of people would fill volumes of books. We pensioners, active Seafarers and especially those young men who are now coming up, are very fortunate indeed in having Paul Hall at the helm of our organization, always steering on a course to higher achievements and toward a more secure future.
Unfortunately there have always been and still are those (and too many of them) in Washington who always make it quite difficult for him, but that has never discouraged him. On the contrary, he comes back fighting harder for us.
I believe that the Harry Lundeberg School of Seamanship must be the greatest of his many achievements and I feel certain that there must be countless others who feel the same. This place shall always remain a legacy to those young men in the future who will come here to begin their seagoing careers, and to those who sail on the Great Lakes and inland waterways.
The many courses for advancement to better-paying jobs, which are available in all three departments along with the most up-to-date equipment, and most important of all, a staff of instructors and all of the other personnel here who are completely dedicated to their professions and students have no equal in any other school anywhere.
This school can very well be compared to an institution of higher learning due to the advanced and specialized training it offers for the highly skilled jobs aboard these new automated ships today. In this union, any member is welcome, and encouraged, to come here, at no cost to him, learn what he came here to learn, and leave here with the assurance that his training has qualified him for a better-paying job, thereby assuring him of a better way of life for himself and his family. I ask you, where else can a man get a better shake than this?
So in conclusion let me just say this: that most men’s greatness is not acknowledged in their lifetime, but only after they are gone. Paul Hall is fortunate, and deservingly so, that he is today a living part of his many achievements and dreams which have become a reality. And his greatest accomplishment is right here in Piney Point. This place shall be a living monument to him always, not only as that of a man whose life was dedicated to the betterment of those men who go down to the sea in ships, but also to a truly great fighter in the long and turbulent history of the maritime unions in their long struggle for survival and for a better way of life for their members, the American seamen.
Therefore, I should like to title this effort of mine: Some Words of Tribute to a Great Labor Leader. Written on this 23rd day of August 1978 in Piney Point, Md.
Retiree Points Out Health Care Option
This is an open letter to all SIU pensioners who live in Louisiana.
My name is Paul Lightell. I’m a retired deep sea member. I sailed for 40 years and I’m grateful for all the union has done for me. I’m hoping that this information I’m supplying will help give something back to the union and help my fellow retirees at the same time.
I became aware of a medical plan for individuals who are 65 or older. It’s called Tenet Choice 65 and it is available to Louisiana residents. The program works like this: The amount that comes out of your Social Security check that is earmarked for Medicare goes directly to Tenet Choice 65. This is the total you pay. There is a $5-$10 copay for generic drugs and the doctor’s copay is also $5.
My wife signed up for this plan more than seven years ago. She had three surgeries and they all were 100 percent covered. I just recently joined, and it only took five days and I was in the system.
So now the Seafarers Health and Benefits Plan receives no medical bills or prescription bills regarding me or my wife. This works out well for all.
I urge all retirees living in Louisiana to contact Tenet Choice 65 at (504) 461-9800 or 1-800-631-8443 and request the information. You won’t regret it.
Paul Lightell
Metairie, Louisiana
Lupinacci’s Family Offers Note of Thanks
Dear President Sacco, Executive Staff, Don Nolan, Port Agents and friends of Romeo V. Lupinacci:
Your kind expressions of sympathy on the death of our father and beautiful floral arrangements were most appreciated.
You were my father’s home away from home and were closest to him for many years. A good portion of Romeo’s life and some of his greatest achievements happened there at the Lundeberg School, where he dedicated his life to his work. We hope you all hold a special spot in your hearts in remembrance of him. He truly loved you all!
A special thanks of appreciation to John (Hetmanski) and the food service staff who made a special trip to visit Romeo’s grave.
Sincerely,
The families of Ronald Lupinacci and Roseann Davis
(The letter is printed here at their joint request.)
Seafarer Has Fond Memories of Chef Romeo
My name is Samuel Garrett. I am an A seniority member in good standing.
It hurt my heart to read about Chef Romeo Lupinacci’s untimely death. I know he touched thousands of people’s hearts.
I met Chef Romeo in 1992 while upgrading at the training center. He walked up to me, said hello and asked how I was doing, all with a larger-than-life smile on his face. My very first thought was that this is a good feeling when a person of his status stops to say hello. Chef Romeo told me he had been around for a while and enjoyed helping at the school.
On many occasions I sat down with him and listened, learning more about how to conduct myself aboard a vessel. He became one of the people that I wanted to be like—true friend, big brother, father figure to those members who needed it.
I can remember going to his house to watch sports, eating snacks that he had made for the upgraders, and during the breaks sharing his sea stories and life stories. Every time I came back to the school he guided me through any rough patches I was having in life. I truly believe that without his support, loyalty, great friendship and true kindness, that many of the things I achieved would have taken me a lot longer to attain.
One thing that I regret is that in all the many years I got to know Chef Romeo, I never took a picture with or got a picture of that one person who did so much for me.
My family’s prayers are with him on his great journey to heaven. My heartfelt prayers go out to loved ones and family. His moral fiber, strength, character and force will always be within each of us that knew his heart.
Samuel Garrett
Jacksonville, Fla.
Veteran Urges Support for ‘Belated Thank You’
I am a U.S. Army veteran of World War II and an SIU recertified steward, and I’m writing about the Belated Thank You to the Merchant Mariners of World War II Act of 2005.
The purpose of this bill is to compensate the WWII Merchant Marine veterans who were denied their rights under the G.I. Bill, given to other veterans. That wasn’t fair. During the war, the mariners risked their lives for the welfare of the United States, just like any other veterans who fight for this country.
May our Good Lord bless our merchant marine veterans and guide our senators and congressmen to cosponsor the bills, S. 1272 and H.R. 23 and have the majority of both houses pass them.
I urge all SIU brothers and sisters to contact their own senators and congressional representatives to cosponsor this legislation.
Pablo Lopez
Seattle, Washington
Looking at Pictures Brings Back Memories
I stopped going to sea years ago in 1985 and settled down in my homeport of Massachusetts.
Reading about the Harry Lundeberg School and looking at the pictures of the school brings back a lot of old and fun memories.
The training I received there as a trainee and upgrader (FOWT, QMED and Third Assistant Engineer) proved to be valuable to my career both at sea and on land.
Even today, I still miss the sea and at times I wish I could jump back aboard a ship. There are times when, if it weren’t for my two sons, I would go back to sea, but I don’t think they would like that too much.
I would like to thank the SIU for the opportunity to go to sea and to the Harry Lundeberg School for the training I received there.
Lee Cook
West Yarmouth, Mass.
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