Richard Palka:  

When I returned from Vietnam, I worked at Irving Trust Co until the hostile take over in 1988. In 1991 I started to work for Rivertower, 40 story highrise rental in Manhattan, and am presently the Assistant Building Manager. I have been married to Charlene for 34 years and we have two sons, Andrew 26 who is a staff accountant at Macklowe Management., and Paul Michael who would have been 23. He died when he was 16 from an undected heart problem. He was a great photographer and his camera is one of those that you see in cowboy movies with the guy under a cover to take the picture. Andrew is now 31 and works for Silverstein Peroperties. He is the head of accounts receivable and was put in there to straighten it out and then he can return to the Treasury Division. He was promoted to the director of accounts receivable for the company. Charlene and I are very proud of both of our boys. I am the Commander of American Legion Post #1 in Leonia, NJ(also post #1 in NJ), I am the Scoutmaster Emeritus and Keeper of the Fire for Boy Scout Troop 71 and I am the camping chairman for BSA Tantaqua District for Northern NJ Council. I am a member of the Knights of Columbus, a Minister of the Eucharist and a member of the Bereavement Ministry at my church. I am a staunch supporter of making sure that the community does not forget our POW/MIA's. I attend every walk, demonstration etc in the state and some outside. Every year in September I spend 24 hours in a bamboo cage in front of the Post to draw attention to the plight of our POW/MIA's and their families. I was also the Bergen County Commander of the Sons of the AMerican Legion 2017 to 2019. I am presently the Bergen County American Legion Children Organ Transplant Association Chairman and the Oratorical Contest Chairman. I am also the District One Oratorical Contest Chairman for the American Legion Department of New Jersey. In 2013 , with a great Committee, was my honor and privilege to start Cub Scout Pack 71 in Leonia, NJ. In my spare time I keep a very active conversation going with alot of buddies from USS Shangri-La, my most favorite aircraft carrier that I have had the prviliage to serve on. I live in Leonia NJ and love the great outdoors and Atlantic City. March, 2010-The building where I worked has been sold and brought in their own mangement team to run it. I got a decent package and am living on umemployment until August when I will probably go for Social Security. I am still actively ooking for a job as I feel I am too young to retire. If anyone has knowledge of a position in building management, please let me know, also I am ready and willing to just talk to anyone about business to get my foot in the door. Thanks inAll you folks that remember me drop a line just to say hello. I was a ble to catch up with Phil Gannon recently and talked about Douglaston alot. Anyone out there from Phi Alpha Sigma, Alpha Nu, please drop me a line. In the last year or so I have become a member of the bereavement committee at my church ot help folks deal with the loss of their loved ones. I am now the Adjutant of the Bergen County Sons of the American Legion continue to be a proponent of Veterans Rights. I am still looking for a job, but am becoming discouraged, at the lack of response to my resume and interviews. Discrimination against Senior Citizens is alive and well in our country. PHI ALPHA SIGMA-ALPHA NU Members ARE YOU THERE, LET ME KNOW. November 20, 2012 truck went through a red light hit my car broadside and really did a job on my health. I am seeing...Expand for more