Special Guest at Real Cops' Dinner

[Observer2]

A year-and-a-half ago, when Vincent D’Onofrio was on The View for the second time, Star Jones quoted him as having said that if Goren were really on the street the real detectives would slap him silly. I’m not sure that Jones – a former NY prosecutor – agreed with him; but in any case, however real detectives might react to Goren if he were real, apparently, as a fictional detective, they like him just fine. D’Onofrio was scheduled to be honored at a dinner given by an organization of police officers – the Columbia Association – on May 7.

The Columbia Association is a fraternal organization of Italian-American police officers of the New York City Police Department. Their website is at: www.nypdcolumbia.org/

I looked around their website a bit, and I found their mission statement interesting. Most of the ethnically- based organizations that I’ve learned much about seem to focus on strengthening their ethnic community, and seeking acceptance/justice/equality and/or economic stability for their specific ethnic group – which makes sense. But this organization goes a bit beyond the usual. The last paragraph in their mission statement says: “To promote, practice and cherish the spirit of brotherhood among people irrespective of race, creed or religion.”

It makes sense to me that cops in NYC would be painfully aware of the results that occur when ethnic groups turn on each other. Still, I didn’t expect to find a specifically ethnic organization incorporating such actively inclusive language into their mission statement – into the very purpose for which their organization exists. It was a pleasant surprise.

Anyway, the announcement about the dinner doesn’t give much in the way of details (except about the food, LOL! I guess they really are Italian! ):
_________________________________
Columbia Association Annual Dinner Dance May 7, 2004 At the beautiful El Carib Country Club 5945 Strickland Ave Brooklyn, NY
Cocktail Hour begins at 6:30 PM Dinner at 7:45 PM
Choice of Seven Entrees
Coffee, Desert and Viennese Table

Columbia Association "Man of The Year"
First Deputy Commissioner George A. Grasso

Columbia Association Achievement Award
Michael J. Palladino Vice President, Detectives' Endowment Assoc.

Honoring Special Guest
Vincent D'onofrio of Law and Order Criminal Intent

Columbia Association Awards of Valor
Recipients to be Announced
_________________________

[NikkiGreen]

The site has event photographs:

www.nypdcolumbia.org/event_photos.htm

[Metella]

Nikki = Internet Bloodhound

Thanks. Now that party looks like it would have been 10 times as much fun as that stuffy pretentious DC bash.

[trisha]

Hummm, nice photos. Very nice photos. Why is it that his gray hair makes him look dashing while mine just makes me look old?

Well, I may have as much gray hair as you have, Mr. D'Onofrio, but you have more wrinkles, so there!

[Metella]

ha ha ha ha

Ah, you're grace and goodwill is so warm and overpowering. blah ha ha ha ha

[Sirenna]

Interesting pics. Thanks for finding this for us, Nicky

[NikkiGreen]

No need to thank me. I just followed the link Observer provided in her post.

[Observer2]

Thanks for the link to the pictures, Nikki! I might not have remembered to go back and check for them. I finally got to Kinko’s to take a look at them (still don’t have a new video card in poor old Pooh [the computer of very little brain] ).

I didn’t realize until I saw these pictures that they actually presented him with an award. It’s quite impressive – seems to be an officer holding a flag in one hand, and the other hand protectively on the shoulder of a child. It’s making me crazy that I can’t quite read the inscription on the base. There’s a line of small print, then the middle line is his name in larger print, then another line of small print. I’d love to know what it says.

He’s also wearing a small, round button, just above the rose on his lapel. It’s too small to see clearly, but looks a lot like the Columbia Association buttons they have for sale in their on-line gift shop. Apparently both members and supporters can wear them. They have the Columbia Association logo in the center, which shows the flags of both the USA and Italy. I’ll be watching to see if it turns up on Goren’s lapel next season…

[bammi]

I must be blind. Can you tell me where Vincent is in those pictures?

[Cassie]

Your not blind , I think the event with VDO took place in May of 2004. Looks like now the website is showing pictures from their Christmas Party of 2004

[bammi]

Thanks. I was pretty sure I could spot Vincent anywhere!