TRIBUTE IN VERSE — President Benson participates in
the state's September 11 observance by reading Walt
Whitman's poem, “I Hear America Singing,” to a
full house in Albany's Convention Center at the Empire
State Plaza. — Photo by Deborah A. Miles
PEF unity best
tribute to our members lost in line of duty
By ROGER BENSON
On September 11, 2002, PEF held a tribute and dedicated a
beautiful monument to our members who have been killed
while serving the citizens of New York state. This
monument will serve as a constant and permanent reminder
of the more than 40 members of our union who gave their
lives making state government work, providing services to
the people of New York.
They were regular PEF members — parole officers,
nurses, doctors, accountants, food inspectors and
transportation planners, jobs that we normally don’t
associate with the word hero. Yet, each and every one of
those members is a hero.
It is said that crisis brings out the best in people.
I’m sure the members whose names are etched into the
stone monument didn’t set out to be heroes, they
were just doing their jobs.
But the stories of their bravery, selfless acts of
courage and sacrifice have been recounted time and again.
Many of these members placed the safety of their friends
and co-workers and the citizens of New York above their
own personal safety. Others sacrificed their lives
working to ensure our safety.
We will not forget, and cannot let our elected leaders
forget, the sacrifice those members made.
The best tribute we can give to those valiant members is
to stand together as a union and continue working for the
benefit of all public employees who, day in and day out,
selflessly serve the people of New York state.
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COMMUNICATOR HOMEPAGE
Inside This
Issue:
Features
PEF dedicates memorial to
fallen members
Union marshals forces behind
candidates
Early retirement agency
options
PS&T contract team
shares good news
AFT lends experience for
PS&T talks
Departments
President's Message: PEF
unity best tribute
You Said It: Member's
letters this month
Member Mobilization: Fully
mobilized divisions
Legislative Action: More PEF
bills are law
Nurses' Station:
Needlesticks, act now
Health Notes: Flex
Spending/Dependent Care
Retirees In Action: On the
move nationally
Health & Safety: Coping
with worksite disaster
Member Highlights: picture
page
PEF Membership Benefits
Program & Travel Corp
Union Matters
Reg. 7 members earn SEFA
awards
Fineson member earns
employee award
Nominees for Reg. 12
coordinator sought
Training grants help members
Tri-County Labor Council
elects Twitchell
Other Links
Professional Directory
Members' Classified
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