www.qns.com MARCH 25, 2022 8RIDGEWOOD TIMES
Queens Chamber of Commerce’s St. Patrick’s Day
luncheon returns following two-year hiatus
BY GABRIELE HOLTERMANN
EDITORIAL@QNS.COM
@QNS
After a two-year hiatus due to the
COVID-19 pandemic, the Queens
Chamber of Commerce’s annual St.
Patrick’s Day luncheon returned to its full
glory at Terrace in the Park on Wednesday,
March 16.
Hundreds of business and community
leaders celebrated not only Irish American
heritage, but also the progress made in the
fight to end the COVID-19 pandemic, which
has had the city — and the world — in its
grips for two years.
Tom Grech, president and CEO of the
Queens Chamber of Commerce, described
the past two years as “hell on Earth,” ceremoniously
tossed his face mask into a
wastebasket and reminded everyone that
life is short.
“Please take a moment to think about all
those we’ve lost to COVID over the last two
years,” Grech said. “Please keep in your
heart and your minds the brave men and
women of our armed forces throughout the
world protecting us. We also mourn and appreciate
the daily courage and bravery of
the men and women of the NYPD, especially
officers Jason Rivera and Wilbert Mora.”
Danasia Davis opened the luncheon
with a rendition of the National Anthem,
followed by the benediction of Rev. James
Kuroly, rector and president of Cathedral
Preparatory School and Seminary.
Kuroly recalled that his Italian mother
would cook corned beef, cabbage and Irish
soda bread, served with a side of pasta, on
St. Patrick’s Day.
“She would say as she was cooking, ‘On
St. Patrick’s Day, we are all Irish,'” the reverend
said. “What she was trying to teach
me at a young age is that we are all sons and
daughters of God. So St. Patrick’s Day is a
(From l. to r.) NYPD Commissioner Keechant Sewell, City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams, and Tom Grech, President and
CEO of the Queens Chamber of Commerce, at the chamber’s St. Patrick’s Day luncheon at Terrace in the Park in Flushing,
Queens, on March 16, 2022. Photos by Gabriele Holtermann
reminder that we are all one.”
His prayer — which included the people
of Ukraine and the city’s first responders —
was followed by the Presentation of Colors
by the Second Battalion 25th Marines and a
performance by the NYPD Emerald Society
Pipes & Drums.
Keynote speaker NYPD Police Commissioner
Keechant Sewell was supposed to be
the recipient of the Public Service Award
— an honor she respectfully and humbly
declined in her speech.
“It’s not because I’m not Irish, but because
I’m famous for my exits,” the 45th NYC
police commissioner joked. She explained
that her service had only just begun and
would dedicate the award to the NYPD
Emerald Society Pipes & Drums and all
members of the NYPD.
The city’s first female police commissioner
explained that the NYPD Emerald
Society Pipes & Drums were the embodiment
of service as the NYPD has had to
endure many tragedies and challenges
since the beginning of the year.
“I have heard the moving, consoling
sounds of the NYPD Emerald Society Pipes
& Drums over cries of grief and feelings
of hopelessness far too often,” Sewell said,
referring to the funerals of NYPD Detectives
Wilbert Mora and Jason Rivera, who
were killed in the line of duty last January.
“No matter the nationality of the officer or
the circumstances of the loss. In your own
grief, their melodies comfort the families
and every member of one of the most
diverse police departments in the world
during unimaginable times.”
Queens Borough President Donovan
Richards also remembered the thousands
of lives lost to the pandemic, but pointed
out that there was also hope because
Queens was not only the first county in
New York with 1 million vaccinations, but
also the most diverse county.
“On a day like this, it is great to be able
to celebrate the contributions of Irish
American neighbors,” Richards said. “The
Irish community has been a vibrant part
of our borough; it has played a key role in
our culture.”
City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams
recalled that the last time the St. Patrick’s
Day luncheon was held was right before
the city shut down because of the COVID-19
pandemic.
“Finally, we get to see each other in
person again to truly, truly celebrate this
momentous occasion,” the first African
American council speaker said. “This annual
St. Patrick’s Day luncheon is always
special because we get to celebrate Irish
heritage and culture. And of course, there’s
no greater place to do that than right here
in Queens.”
James Whelan, president of the Real
Estate Board of New York, received the St.
Patrick’s Irish American of the Year Award.
The first-generation Irish American who
grew up in Elmhurst was taught by his dad
to love the Mets and hate the Yankees.
“As countless as countless immigrants
from around the world choose to do every
year, my parents chose these as their home
as a place to raise their children. As a place
to stake their claim to the American dream
to provide a better life for themselves and
their children,” Whelan said. “I’m very
proud to be Irish. I’m very proud to be
the offspring of immigrants, and I’m very
proud to be a citizen of this great borough
of Queens.”
Queens Borough President Donovan Richards speaks at the Queens Chamber of
Commerce St. Patrick’s Day luncheon.
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