The E-Sylum:  Volume 6, Number 23, June 8, 2003, Article 24

LAST WEDNESDAY JUNE 6 WAS MEDAL DAY.

  Dick JOhnson writes: "No, it's not the day of the year
  that the Medal Collectors of America promote medal
  collecting.  Instead, it is the day in New York City that
  medals are bestowed on heroic firemen.

  "Medal Day," said Newsday staff writer Bill Murphy, "is
  the most important day of the year for the people who
  fight fires for a living, and it is also one huge party day.
  The firefighters are not always on their best behavior."

  The mayor of the City personally pins the medal for
  bravery on the proper bestowee's uniform.  Ed Koch
  did this one year just after he had closed two firehouses.
  He only got one medal bepinned before he was hissed
  and booed until he left the ceremony.  This year Mayor
  Michael Bloomberg settled a dispute with the firefighters
  union the day before he was to appear on stage. (Just in
  time! Three thousand firefighters had practiced cupping
  their hands to their mouths to magnify their catcalls.)

  Now what does this have to do with numismatic books
  you ask?  For years I have noticed the pamphlets given
  out at these medal ceremonies listing all the recipients'
  names selling for $5 to $10 on eBay. Any fireman who
  has the presence of mind to bring his pamphlet home
  without getting beer glass on the cover can pick up a
  little extra money on the side.

  If you would like to know what happened Wednesday,
  click on:

http://www.newsday.com/news/local/longisland/politics/ny-nypols063320038jun06,0,4611806.story

  Wayne Homren, Editor

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