The Inside Press

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Elks Club

Mid-Westchester Elks First Responders Appreciation Awards to Laureen Smith-Arena, Julie Gallagher and Robert Boddie

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June 14, 2021, Armonk, NY— Following a traditional Flag Day Service, members of the Mid-Westchester Elks, Lodge #535, honored three first responders commending their courage, perseverance and dedicated service over this most challenging last year.

Honored by the Mid-Westchester Elks were Laureen Smith-Arena, an occupational therapist at Northern Westchester Hospital; Julie Gallagher, an Armonk Fire Department volunteer firefighter, EMT and Byram Hills High School Nurse; and Robbie Boddies, a firefighter with the West Point Fire Department and a paramedic. Certificates of appreciation were also first presented to each of the recipients on behalf of Westchester Board of Legislators Margaret Cuzio and state Senator Shelley Mayer. Attending too was Barbara W. DiGiacinto, town council member of North Castle. Following a variety of laudatory remarks on their behalf, each of the honorees shared their gratitude and/or described their respective experiences.

The ceremony, which also brought together many long time friends and neighbors after a ‘skipped year’ during COVID, took on special meaning this year as attendees gathered for an evening to recall milestones in the fascinating history of the U.S. flag, enjoy cherished traditions, and to share gratitude again to community leaders honored inside Armonk American Legion Hall on Bedford Avenue.

Following a rousing march into the hall and a variety of traditional songs played by the Westchester County Firefighters Emerald Society Pipe Band, a moment of silence honored departed Elks members and first responders killed in the line of duty due to COVID. Amazing Grace was presented by the Westchester County Emerald Society. A delicious dinner, prepared by long time Elks member and volunteer chef Tony Ciccia, who also cooks for the local senior center, was enjoyed by all. 

The Mid-Westchester Elks, a 153-year old charitable organization, is actively seeking new members to join its ranks; Lodge #535 has over 100 members actively supporting charitable activities, including Scouting generally,  and especially at Cerebral Palsy of Westchester (CPW), where members sponsor and support a Pack of boys and girls. The members are also active in supporting U.S. military veterans, the elderly, the poor, people with disabilities, schools, scholarship programs, and a variety of not for profit community organizations.

In 2018, the Elks launched a First Responders Appreciation Awards Dinner and honored police officers. Five area police chiefs each proposed an officer in their command particularly worthy of recognition at that time. In 2019, four firefighters from Armonk, Port Chester, and White Plains were honored. Each year, a short ceremony is performed in observance of Flag Day. In 2020, the event was canceled due to the pandemic. The mid-Westchester Elks Lodge # 535 has resumed meeting at the American Legion Post 1097 at 35 Bedford Rd. in Armonk on the second and fourth Wednesday evening of each month. For more information about the Elks, including joining, please visit elks.org, or contact Lodge Secretary Raymond Sculky at raysculky@optonline.net.

A Call to Order and “Presentation of the Colors”
Gathered for the mid-Westchester Elks 2021 First Responder Award Recipients Presentations: Armonk Assistant Fire Chief Brian Fenster; Armonk Fire Chief Philippe Goulet; Elks Chairman Jim Comstock; Laureen Smith-Arena, Northern Westchester Hospital; Robert Boddie,, West Point Fire Department; Julie Gallagher, Armonk Fire Department; EMT, Byram Hills High School Nurse; Elks exalted ruler Jay Singer, and Elks member Arthur Adelman. Standing behind Laureen and Robert is the Elks’ Anthony Gilberti, who led the Flag service.
During a Flag Service ceremony: The gradual evolving of the U.S. Flag, the tears and triumphs accompanying the history of the flag, are explained each year by several Elks members, including pictured here, Jay Singer.
Westchester County Firefighters Emerald Society Pipe Band
Honoree Julie Gallagher with, from left, Jim Comstock and Chief Philippe Goulet, and on right, Jay Singer
(L-R), Jim Comstock, Laura Toohig, PT, Inpatient Rehabilitation Services Manager, Northern Westchester Hospital, Honoree Laureen Smith-Arena, occupational therapist, Northern Westchester Hospital, and Jay Singer.
(L-R): Jim Comstock, Honoree Robert Boddie and Jay Singer

150 Year Elks Club Celebration Honors Five Law Enforcement Officers

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On Wednesday, June 13th, at the American Legion in Armonk, the Mid Westchester Elks Lodge held their first Law Enforcement Appreciation Awards Dinner. Here, a group of five officers and detectives from the surrounding area, Steven Vitolo, Lauren Valentino, Steven Mulcahy, James Chiarlitti, and Arcangelo Liberatore, were honored for their outstanding acts of heroism and dedication on the job. Over 40 co-workers, family members, and elks were gathered at the event to watch the ceremony.  

On the eve of Flag Day, a holiday that celebrates the adoption of our familiar red, white and blue emblem, strong feelings of national pride were evident at the event. To kick things off, the Pledge of Allegiance was uttered in unison as the American flag stood tall at the front of the room. Later this flag was used in a service, observing its history and significance. The Elks furthered these patriotic sentiments through the singing of God Bless America.   

The Elks Club (officially known as the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks), is a fraternal organization whose primary mission is to improve the communities in which they serve. One big way that they do this is through their commitment to helping those who risk their lives to protect our country: veterans and enforcers of the law.

These sacrifices were commemorated at the event when a moment of silence was ordered for police officers killed in the line of duty. After this silence, the Emerald Society of Westchester, a band made up of both former and active police officers, played God Bless America to further honor those fallen.

Officer James Chiarlitti of Pleasantville accepts his reward from the Elk Club’s Robert Lent.

In regards to sacrifices officer James Chiarlitti, one of the event’s honorees, stated, “People see what we do online and on TV, but they don’t see us working on three hours of sleep and doing double shifts.” He also brought up that, “our families don’t see us on birthdays and holidays and anniversaries,” revealing one of the overlooked things that police families are often forced to give up.

Chiarlitti, a Police Officer for the town of Pleasantville and son of the former chief of police, remembers playing in the station as a little kid. After fulfilling his dreams of becoming a Police officer with the NYPD, he returned to the very station that used to be his stomping grounds. James was complemented at the event for his work ethic, his chief, Erik Grutzner, saying, “he gets it, he understands what this job entails.”   

Officer Lauren Valentino Beams receiving her award

Similarly, Detective Lauren Valentino of the Mount Pleasant Police Department was recognized for her dedication. Formerly a school teacher, Valentino works closely with youth interested in careers in law enforcement, both through the Law Enforcement Exploring program and the Youth Police Academy in Mount Pleasant. When it was mentioned that she had been working at the station for over 17 years she exclaimed, “time flies when you’re having fun.”

Detective Steven Mulcahy of the Pound Ridge Police Department was also complimented on his work ethic. In addition to serving as a Detective, he also works as an EMT and a Firefighter. Last year he was one of the first responders to a horrific double homicide in which a father killed his wife and daughter.

Another Steven, Police Officer Steven Vitolo of the North Castle Police Department, was praised for his split second decision making when he was the first responder to a fire in the Wampus Close housing development. If it weren’t for the fact that he was able to momentarily control the blaze with his fire extinguisher, the 18 house development may very well have gone up in smoke.   

Finally, Police Officer and local celebrity Arcangelo Liberatore of the Irvington Police Department was commended for his bravery in handling a coyote attack. Liberatore was off duty with his family when he noticed a coyote attacking a five year old girl. He quickly fought off the coyote with his bare hands, restraining it until backup could arrive. It was later found out that the coyote was rabid.  

These five officers should each have a whole article dedicated to telling their individual stories, but law enforcement don’t often receive thanks that they deserve. As officer Chiarlitti explains, “You don’t take this job to be thanked, it’s kind of a thankless job, but it’s nice every once in awhile to bring family together and be thanked for the work you do.”

The Elks Club, which is celebrating its 150th birthday this year, plans on making this an annual event and are considering expanding the ceremony to include all types of first responders. To find out more about the club and all their charitable efforts click here.

Derek Rosen (HGHS Class of ’17) is an intern for the Inside Press this summer. In September, Derek will be entering his sophomore year at Syracuse University, where he is a communications major.