Dear Members and Supporters,

Thanks to the hard work of our Officers and Members, the Sword of Light Pipe Band has completed another successful St. Patrick’s Day season. The thirteen events we appeared in over four weeks, supported by over 300 uniformed member appearances, is a credit to the dedication of the band’s members and unprecedented in our history.

The band’s road trips to Hampton Bays, Long Island and Scranton, Pennsylvania gave everyone, on the trips, an appreciation of the respect that different parts of the country have for Local # 3 and the Sword of light. The award we received from the Scranton St. Patrick’s Day parade Committee, and the dinner given for us by the members of Local Union # 81, I.B.E.W. made our entire membership feel like part of the community. The spring schedule is shaping up to dovetail nicely with these honors.

The band will start the Spring Schedule with events that support The Lou Gehrig Disease Foundation, The Special Olympics, The Harry Van Arsdale Center for Study, The Westchester Workers Memorial, The Electchester Street Fair and The South Nassau Hospital. We will once again play at the Philippine Independence Day parade and the Norwegian Independence Day parade. These events have become annual appearances that mirror the diversity of The Sword of Light Pipe Band’s appeal.

Coupled with Memorial weekend engagements in Forest Hills, Bronxville and Little Neck, New York the band will proudly carry the standard of Local Union # 3 and the American labor movement throughout the tri-state region a record number of times.

As most of you know, the officers and members of Local Union # 3 have noticed the band’s activity. We received an award at this year’s Allied Club St. Patrick’s Day event that singled out the band’s members for their loyalty and dedication. The Catholic Council of Local # 3 has also selected us as the 2006 "Men of The Year".

As the President of the band, I humbly accept these awards and accolades. They bare testimony to the foresight of the band’s Founders who christened the idea of the band. They spotlight our instructors who shared their talent and gave the gift of music to our membership. They praise the band’s officers and members for their loyalty and strength of purpose. Most importantly, they say thank you to the Mother’s, Wives, Ladies and children who sacrifice so much so the band can fulfill its commitments.