Riding Season Coming To An End Soon!
Dear Nobles, Ladies and Families,
The leaves are starting to change color and it will not be long until the last newspaper will be published with me as Aleppo’s potentate. Since the last publication Laura and I have attended many events, met new people, and had fun supporting their events. But most importantly learning more about what we do and how we touch the lives of so many children and families. The number of patients we treat continues to grow at an amazing rate both locally and internationally. The research being done continues to provide new ways to treat and heal our patients. As I have said many times this year, you all should be extremely proud to wear the fez.
After a great trip to Reno the schedule was busy again here in Boston. I had a very exciting time at the Seekonk raceway on July 20th. The regular Saturday night racing included a fund raiser for the RI Shriners clowns. Between races the annual trike races for children aged three to eight took place on the track. This has been a highlight for many years. Dozens of kids took to the track with their pedaling trikes and had a ball. Surrounded by RI clowns, Aleppo’s mini haulers, Drifters, Shriner family and friends and yours truly was honored to drive a “race car” on the track. The car was loaned to me by the captain of the mini haulers Lloyd Wentzel. I suggest you plan to attend next year.
The Aleppo Clowns’ Potentate’s reception was held at a secret secure location where Laura and I enjoyed being entertained, or in my case “abused,” all in good fun. It was wonderful day and one that I will never forget. There is a video as evidence, but in the tradition of the clown unit, “what happens at the Potentate’s reception, stays at the Potentate’s reception!” I am now very proud to be an honorary Aleppo Clown whose name is “HarleyHoopla.”
The South Shore Shrine Club Potentate reception and ceremonial held on August 11th at the Hanson Athletic Club was another super event. We welcomed six new Shriners! The luncheon was over the top with hamburgers, hot dogs, clam chowder and lobster. We also celebrated two birthdays that day: Janis Critch and Ruel Leefmans, aka Kernel the clown. I teamed up with a new Shrine candidate for the famous bocci tournament and took first place. Thank you, Joe Oliveri.
On August 17th, Laura and I visited the Gardner Shrine Club, along with members from the Fitchburg Shrine Club, for the summer outing held at the scenic Templeton Fish and Game Club. The best BBQ chicken ever! I was honored to receive a beautiful rocking chair built by Standard Chair of Gardner, along with donations to the Transportation Fund.
We left Templeton and headed straight to Aleppo to catch the end of the Water Buffalo Degree. Laura and I managed to become “Buffalo” and now have the proper attire, and name, to attend next year’s event. Laura’s official Buffalo name is “Sunstone” and I am now “Velocisaurus.” Thank you to the most exalted Grand Poobah and my personal aide, Earl “Marble” Bethune, for hosting such a fun event.
August 24th was a special all-day event in Boston. After accepting an invitation from the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company of Massachusetts and the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts, I participated in this event celebrating the 200th year of the Marquis De Lafayette’s return to Boston. This was an historic occasion, highlighted with an event at the Commandant’s House in the Charlestown Navy Yard, a grand parade with 35 groups, presentations on the Boston Common to a descendant of Lafayette complete with cannon fire, and ending with a meal at Grand Lodge. I truly was honored to be part of this once in a lifetime event. Excellent job, John Mitchell.
Throughout this year, Laura and I have been humbled by the number of invitations we have received to so many wonderful events. We do our best to accept as many as our schedule allows. Recently were guests of the Worcester Shrine Club’s annual surf and turf BBQ at the Manor. Delicious food, whiskey tasting, and great company made this a stand out event. Thank you, Savas.
Again, I would like to take this opportunity to express my deepest gratitude to each and every one of you for your dedicated service and commitment to Aleppo. The hard work and selflessness shown by so many of us is making a significant impact on our successes. Aleppo has an incredible team of Shriners with much support. We continue to provide hundreds of thousands of dollars to transport our young patients from near and far. You are helping to save their lives. Our work must continue. So far this year there have been over 90 requests for funding to transport patients. There is much work to do and I genuinely hope to continue working alongside each of you as we deal with the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. Thank you once again for your remarkable service and commitment.
ES SALAAM ELEIKUM Fraternally,
David P. Veo
Illustrious Potentate 2024
Aleppo Shrine Center