Man I hope this is not true... article alleges PS&E denying use of facility to hold memorial service for fallen Service members

[Dr.Sack]

Bills stadium holds 70,000 and they let in 6,700 in an outside venue.

 

War Memorial holds 17,000 and is an indoor venue. X 10% = 1,627 people. Due to being indoors x 50% = 813.

 

There are plenty of churches in Rochester that can hold 813 people. If they want to spread covid have at it.

 

What is missed in all this are the fallen soldiers and the reason their Blackhawk went down. Why can’t Lockheed Martin the manufacturer of the BlackHawk which made $60 billion mostly on military contracts in 2020, make an adequate helicopter to ensure the guard can conduct night vision training exercises? 

[PrimeTime101]

I have 0 Links and this is just what I have been personally told. They kept playing with the dates... Money was never the real issue.. the issue was date changes and then a date slot filled and they wanted that slot..  I have been told there is way more to it then even this but one thing is obvious..

 

This writer did not have the whole story nor likely will the whole story come out because of privacy issues. 

 

IT is what it is..

 

Take my words for what its worth.

[hondo in seattle]

As a combat veteran, I love to see vets get honored.  If this story is true, the behavior of PS&E is just horrible.  

 

But, as they say, every story has two sides.  When I fought in the first Gulf War, the Iraqis claimed the Kuwaitis were slant drilling into their oil reserves.  I don't know if that's accurate or not, but I do know that Iraqi soldiers we took prisoner considered themselves anything from pawns to patriots.  They certainly didn't see themselves as villains.  

 

And that's the problem with this article: the PS&E folks are presented as purely villainous.  Lonsberry depicts them as greedy, contemptuous, disrespectful, intransigent, and dismissive.  He never explains what their rationale might be.  Apparently, according to Lonsberry's description, they're purely evil.  

 

To me, this doesn't make any sense.  I don't believe the PS&E officials are evil villains.  There's got to be another side to the story.  

[H2o]

15 hours ago, BuffaloBorn1960 said:

Hopefully this is not true... https://wham1180.iheart.com/featured/bob-lonsberry/content/2021-02-19-lonsberry-pegula-company-nixes-memorial-service-for-fallen-soldiers/?fbclid=IwAR0raI1-7pvvLzoQV-QvoRPUpE7Gfz5V3hF-zsfIahXEDoYscE6njHvz5fw

I wonder is his axe to grind has something to do with the Bills staying in the locker room while the anthem is played? People can be petty like that and will then try to portray the owners of said organization as something they're not. 

[Mr. WEO]

1 hour ago, Hapless Bills Fan said:

 

What part of this wasn't clear to you?

 

None of the above need be true.  That could be what she was told, it could have been from someone who was told it from someone who didn't have the full picture.  That's exactly how misinformation or incomplete information travels, and it's exactly why credible news sources require sources with first-hand knowledge.

 

And I know that you know this, so what exactly are you trying to accomplish here?

 

 

Well, sure, I guess one of the widows who has been anticipating a memorial for her husband and 3 others at the BCA could have been told that the plans were not going to happen after all, and over money by........just about anyone, right?  Why would we think it would most likely be by the National Guard officials (first hand) who were trying to put it together?  Crazy right?

 

Accomplish?  I'm just pointing out the obvious:  because one might not like Lonsberry (in this instance) doesn't mean he is fabricating the facts of this case (which have not been disputed by anyone on record--posters don't count).   

 

Why suggest that the wife, who is a beneficiary of this tribute, is so far removed from primary fact that we can easily question her public statement of the topic?  You think she did not hear what she said directly from the Guard?  My first question to the people who told me they were putting together a memorial at the BCA for my dead soldier spouse and others, with the special involvement of the Governor, the County, the Health Department that weeks in to discussions suddenly fell apart would be:  What happened?   And I wouldn't be asking "some guy who heard something from someone".  

 

I guess we will have to wait for the PSE to provide their side of the story to correct what is a "bad look", right?  If it wasn't about COVID/health issues and it wasn't about staffing and it wasn't about money in any way.....maybe they will tell us what the reason they won't host this event is.

 

 

 

I 

 

 

[4_kidd_4]

So if this is true, what’s anyone gonna do about it?

 

Genuinely curious. 

 

My guess is whine and gripe for a bit....and then eventually continue to spend money on Bills & Sabres.

[Hapless Bills Fan]

5 minutes ago, Mr. WEO said:

 

Well, sure, I guess one of the widows who has been anticipating a memorial for her husband and 3 others at the BCA could have been told that the plans were not going to happen after all, and over money by........just about anyone, right?  Why would we think it would most likely be by the National Guard officials (first hand) who were trying to put it together?  Crazy right?

 

This is highly disingenuous and you must know it.

 

There's a difference between being told something by "one of the National Guard officials" and a primary source.

 

I'm pretty sure you know this.  I gave you the opportunity to engage fairly and you're doling more of the same.

 

IMHO you are just pushing an agenda here and there's no further need to interact with you.  G'day.

[PrimeTime101]

3 minutes ago, Mr. WEO said:

 

Well, sure, I guess one of the widows who has been anticipating a memorial for her husband and 3 others at the BCA could have been told that the plans were not going to happen after all, and over money by........just about anyone, right?  Why would we think it would most likely be by the National Guard officials (first hand) who were trying to put it together?  Crazy right?

 

Accomplish?  I'm just pointing out the obvious:  because one might not like Lonsberry (in this instance) doesn't mean he is fabricating the facts of this case (which have not been disputed by anyone on record--posters don't count).   

 

Why suggest that the wife, who is a beneficiary of this tribute, is so far removed from primary fact that we can easily question her public statement of the topic?  You think she did not hear what she said directly from the Guard?  My first question to the people who told me they were putting together a memorial at the BCA for my dead soldier spouse and others, with the special involvement of the Governor, the County, the Health Department that weeks in to discussions suddenly fell apart would be:  What happened?   And I wouldn't be asking "some guy who heard something from someone".  

 

I guess we will have to wait for the PSE to provide their side of the story to correct what is a "bad look", right?  If it wasn't about COVID/health issues and it wasn't about staffing and it wasn't about money in any way.....maybe they will tell us what the reason they won't host this event is.

 

 

 

I 

 

 

PSE should not nor have to "prove their side"  this is to much he said, she said, they said that my brother in law said my cousins best said BS going on here. For PSE to make a statement on something that could further cause harm because of disagreements. Thats how BS law suits start... no... and again... there is more personal stuff involved on this topic we will never know about.

 

I say just let it go.

[BillsDiehard]

SMG formally managed Blue Cross Arena and did a great job bringing in many diverse touring shows and catered to the community.  When their contract expired it is now run by Pegula Sports...while there's always two sides to every story it is run much differently and have turned down many annual tours. When a team runs an arena, there's not much consideration for anything else.

Edited February 20, 2021 by BillsDiehard

[boater]

WHAM 1180 just put themselves crosswise with the most powerful family in WNY.

 

Pegulas have a long memory and act on it. Ask the Buffalo News.

[Malazan]

4 hours ago, Mr. WEO said:

 

Even if it's true it should be ignored?

 

 

 

 

 

"not a single, concrete piece of information in the article"?  Not one?

 

Here's a few: 

 

3 National Guardsmen died in a helicopter crash.

 

The Governor wanted to honor them in an indoor facility--going so far as to designate it a religious event.

 

The County Executive Bello sought to have the War Memorial as the venue. 

 

PSE refused to hold the event, even though COVID restrictions would not apply as they would for sporting events, and the state would provide some staffing too defray costs. 

 

Reported elsewhere the same day as the above article:

 

https://www.rochesterfirst.com/community/service-to-honor-fallen-national-guard-members-will-be-held-at-rochester-airport/

 

Here's a quote from one of the widows:

 

The have been some changes to the memorial service, which was originally scheduled for February 26 at the Blue Cross Area. The wife of Christian Koch confirmed on Friday that there seemed to be a problem with the venue.

“I just found out earlier today, not even an hour ago, that the location is having to be moved,” Koch’s wife Teressa DaGama said. “In that case the event won’t be at the same magnitude as it would have been. I know they have ben planning it for the past four weeks, it’s just been over four weeks since the accident . I was just told there was a last minute road block with some money. “

 

And from local legislators:

 

“Where there’s a will, there’s a way. Everyone must band together in support of a proper ceremony for the three National Guardsmen who tragically passed last month. Both the County Health Department and State have indicated that a memorial can be held safely at Blue Cross Arena. These individuals sacrificed so much to ensure the protection of all, both at home and abroad; they deserve to have their memory honored. Monroe County must do everything in our power to ensure that a proper memorial is held for our community to pay respect to these three Guardsmen.“

 

All involved have moved on to the National Guard hanger at KROC.

 

The Pegulas have been free to chime in at any time....

 

 

You're the only one impressed with your act. In fact, why don't you solve this problem. People on this board would donate a lot of money to not have you waste valuable internet space and could cover the costs of the service. 

[Buffalo716]

16 minutes ago, boater said:

WHAM 1180 just put themselves crosswise with the most powerful family in WNY.

 

Pegulas have a long memory and act on it. Ask the Buffalo News.

Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely. 

 

And I don't even think they live in Western New York all the time

 

And holding grudges is honestly a weak thing to do

 

 

Edited February 20, 2021 by Buffalo716

[Mr. K]

Maybe this will force them to improve the Sabres just to have some good PR.  

[Mr. WEO]

54 minutes ago, Hapless Bills Fan said:

 

This is highly disingenuous and you must know it.

 

There's a difference between being told something by "one of the National Guard officials" and a primary source.

 

I'm pretty sure you know this.  I gave you the opportunity to engage fairly and you're doling more of the same.

 

IMHO you are just pushing an agenda here and there's no further need to interact with you.  G'day.

A “National Guard official” would be one arranging, on behalf of the survivors (of which the woman quoted is one), a memorial.  It is simple to assume that that official (or others in the Guard directly involved in this endeavor) would be the one(s) telling the survivors the reason why, after all this planning, their would not be a BCA event.

 

Im just pointing that out, while you are redefining “disingenuous”.

59 minutes ago, PrimeTime101 said:

PSE should not nor have to "prove their side"  this is to much he said, she said, they said that my brother in law said my cousins best said BS going on here. For PSE to make a statement on something that could further cause harm because of disagreements. Thats how BS law suits start... no... and again... there is more personal stuff involved on this topic we will never know about.

 

I say just let it go.

Simply clearing this bit of bad publicity up with their side of the story could lead to “harm” and “BS lawsuits”?

 

you lost me
 

[Mr. WEO]

37 minutes ago, jeremy2020 said:

 

You're the only one impressed with your act. In fact, why don't you solve this problem. People on this board would donate a lot of money to not have you waste valuable internet space and could cover the costs of the service. 

I haven’t been approached to sponsor such an event in my empty arena with most of the costs covered by the local police and national guard... but I would happily contribute to any such memorial in any other way.

 

Cheer up,  these brave soldiers will have their day of remembrance after all—-not in some run down bandbox, but in the very building from where they departed on that fateful flight that day.  
 

 

[Simon Says]

Its basically a Lonsberry editorial...I will reserve judgement until know more

[Big Turk]

3 hours ago, hondo in seattle said:

As a combat veteran, I love to see vets get honored.  If this story is true, the behavior of PS&E is just horrible.  

 

But, as they say, every story has two sides.  When I fought in the first Gulf War, the Iraqis claimed the Kuwaitis were slant drilling into their oil reserves.  I don't know if that's accurate or not, but I do know that Iraqi soldiers we took prisoner considered themselves anything from pawns to patriots.  They certainly didn't see themselves as villains.  

 

And that's the problem with this article: the PS&E folks are presented as purely villainous.  Lonsberry depicts them as greedy, contemptuous, disrespectful, intransigent, and dismissive.  He never explains what their rationale might be.  Apparently, according to Lonsberry's description, they're purely evil.  

 

To me, this doesn't make any sense.  I don't believe the PS&E officials are evil villains.  There's got to be another side to the story.  

 

Even the most hardened, cold blooded killers never see themselves as villains...they almost always see themselves as victims of circumstance.  It is a hard thing for the human psyche to believe they are a bad person.

[BillsDude]

36 minutes ago, Buffalo619 said:

Bottom line:

Did they or did they not refuse the memorial of these falling soldiers? Yes or No. 

 

If true, it’s a bad look and bad juju. Karma will catch up sooner than later. 

 

 

 

No, bottom line is some believer in fake news and conspiracies likely is spreading fake news and trying to embellish things to create controversy. Unnamed sources, and a story so unbelievable, that it likely indeed is pure fantasy and fiction...Let me guess: likely hates the Bills as they (owners) are not on record as being past and/or present supporters of you know who, unlike the other 3 owners in the afc east, and when the Bills owners were more on neutral ground or players side for certain issues. Karma catches up to certain persons, so that point I agree on. Love watching those other dominoes fall.

[BuffaloBorn1960]

Here is an online petition if interested..

 

https://www.change.org/p/fox-news-pegula-company-refuses-memorial-service-in-the-war-memorial-for-3-hero-pilots?recruiter=724198340&utm_source=share_petition&utm_medium=facebook&utm_campaign=psf_combo_share_initial&utm_term=psf_combo_share_initial&recruited_by_id=def68680-3f19-11e7-9d81-1960edeea8a5&utm_content=fht-27451325-en-us%3A2

[Doc]

I'd rather click on a Peter Pan link...

[SectionC3]

Bob Lonsberry has a checkered past.  Google his comments about a former Rochester mayor.  
 

I don’t care for his act, and I won’t read what he posts on his station website.  That said, a bit of perspective here: the Pegulas didn’t turn down a military memorial service.  They turned down an indoor event to be held during a pandemic that happened to be a military memorial service.  Everyone needs to take a deep breath.  

[BillsDude]

1 minute ago, Doc said:

I'd rather click on a Peter Pan link...

 

I just did, as I think Peter Pan is more accurate.

[BuffaloBorn1960]

No.... it appears they pretty much did turn down a memorial service that was cleared by the state and would be run by volunteers... so,there that

[Hapless Bills Fan]

5 minutes ago, BuffaloBorn1960 said:

No.... it appears they pretty much did turn down a memorial service that was cleared by the state and would be run by volunteers... so,there that

 

According to Lonsberry, that's what went down.  Maybe there's another side to this, is all some of us are saying. 

 

And there's this upthread:

 

[BuffaloBorn1960]

Agree, here’s some. additional perspective... not a good look for our owners.. would be nice for them to issue a statement..
 

https://www.whec.com/rochester-new-york-news/controversy-erupts-over-location-of-memorial-ceremony-for-3-guardsmen-who-died-in-helicopter-crash/6018472/

Edited February 20, 2021 by BuffaloBorn1960

[Warcodered]

4 minutes ago, BuffaloBorn1960 said:

Agree, here’s some. additional perspective... not a good look for our owners.. would be nice for them to issue a statement..
 

https://www.whec.com/rochester-new-york-news/controversy-erupts-over-location-of-memorial-ceremony-for-3-guardsmen-who-died-in-helicopter-crash/6018472/

I mean they did.

 

Quote

"While we were engaged in the planning process, the National Guard informed us that due to time constraints and additional planning needs, it would be best for their personnel to hold the memorial at a National Guard facility."

 

[PrimeTime101]

2 hours ago, Mr. WEO said:

A “National Guard official” would be one arranging, on behalf of the survivors (of which the woman quoted is one), a memorial.  It is simple to assume that that official (or others in the Guard directly involved in this endeavor) would be the one(s) telling the survivors the reason why, after all this planning, their would not be a BCA event.

 

Im just pointing that out, while you are redefining “disingenuous”.

Simply clearing this bit of bad publicity up with their side of the story could lead to “harm” and “BS lawsuits”?

 

you lost me
 

your pushing the stories agenda instead of looking at the bigger picture. I have said my piece in this topic of what I know by fact and the unknowns none of us will now... 

 

done with this conversation

[Cheektowaga Chad]

The article screams "politics" being played on both sides

[Malazan]

2 hours ago, Mr. WEO said:

I haven’t been approached to sponsor such an event in my empty arena with most of the costs covered by the local police and national guard... but I would happily contribute to any such memorial in any other way.

 

Cheer up,  these brave soldiers will have their day of remembrance after all—-not in some run down bandbox, but in the very building from where they departed on that fateful flight that day.  

 

I'm sorry you are the way you are. I hope things get better for you. 

Edited February 20, 2021 by jeremy2020

[PrimeTime101]

4 hours ago, Mr. WEO said:

 

Well, sure, I guess one of the widows who has been anticipating a memorial for her husband and 3 others at the BCA could have been told that the plans were not going to happen after all, and over money by........just about anyone, right?  Why would we think it would most likely be by the National Guard officials (first hand) who were trying to put it together?  Crazy right?

 

Accomplish?  I'm just pointing out the obvious:  because one might not like Lonsberry (in this instance) doesn't mean he is fabricating the facts of this case (which have not been disputed by anyone on record--posters don't count).   

 

Why suggest that the wife, who is a beneficiary of this tribute, is so far removed from primary fact that we can easily question her public statement of the topic?  You think she did not hear what she said directly from the Guard?  My first question to the people who told me they were putting together a memorial at the BCA for my dead soldier spouse and others, with the special involvement of the Governor, the County, the Health Department that weeks in to discussions suddenly fell apart would be:  What happened?   And I wouldn't be asking "some guy who heard something from someone".  

 

I guess we will have to wait for the PSE to provide their side of the story to correct what is a "bad look", right?  If it wasn't about COVID/health issues and it wasn't about staffing and it wasn't about money in any way.....maybe they will tell us what the reason they won't host this event is.

 

Ever hear the phrase consider the source? Bob Lonsberry has posted so much garbage in the past and removes it weeks later. He puts crap out on twitter then removes in weeks later. Bob Lonsberry is not a good source but you continue your love of good old bob.. Bob has slammed PSE in the past for stupid reasons then removed posts.

 

Here is what I know, Picking this up second hand. 

There were multiple scheduling changes on this event. When they settled on a time the slot was full. 

 

 

I am a no BS person.. I call it as it is,, Again take my words for what its worth.

 

your putting to much effort in trusting one side thinking the other side owes us an explanation.

 

The fact is they owe us.. The Military or the family 0 explanation as it was a business decision.

 

But again you keep following ole Bobbie O'

 

You talk about fact? 

 

There were talks back and forth 

 

https://www.whec.com/rochester-new-york-news/controversy-erupts-over-location-of-memorial-ceremony-for-3-guardsmen-who-died-in-helicopter-crash/6018472/?cat=565

 

here is another clue.. BOB is the only one complaining about this. The families are ok with it they were on time constraints times dates changed back and forth talks

 

National Guard decided against it in the end... 

 

know your facts before ranting about stuff your clueless about

 

TIME CONSTRAINTS...  

Edited February 20, 2021 by PrimeTime101

[RiotAct]

😬😬😬

[billsfanmiamioh]

3 hours ago, Mr. WEO said:

I haven’t been approached to sponsor such an event in my empty arena with most of the costs covered by the local police and national guard... but I would happily contribute to any such memorial in any other way.

 

Cheer up,  these brave soldiers will have their day of remembrance after all—-not in some run down bandbox, but in the very building from where they departed on that fateful flight that day.  
 

 

This is pretty pathetic

[PrimeTime101]

44 minutes ago, Cheektowaga Chad said:

The article screams "politics" being played on both sides

Time constraints added to all of this.

1 minute ago, billsfanmiamioh said:

This is pretty pathetic

agree

[SectionC3]

1 hour ago, BuffaloBorn1960 said:

No.... it appears they pretty much did turn down a memorial service that was cleared by the state and would be run by volunteers... so,there that

 

NIce qualifier.  By "pretty much" you mean they didn't turn the event down because of its military component.  Again, this is an indoor event that they chose not to hold.  Don't wanna have to make wedding cakes for gay people?  Don't complain about this.  Take a breath and get over it. 

[Mr. WEO]

1 hour ago, SectionC3 said:

Bob Lonsberry has a checkered past.  Google his comments about a former Rochester mayor.  
 

I don’t care for his act, and I won’t read what he posts on his station website.  That said, a bit of perspective here: the Pegulas didn’t turn down a military memorial service.  They turned down an indoor event to be held during a pandemic that happened to be a military memorial service.  Everyone needs to take a deep breath.  

 

That's not why they turned int down.

[PrimeTime101]

The news in that video reached out to Pegula and asked. This was the response.

 

"While we were engaged in the planning process, the National Guard informed us that do to time constraints, it would be best for their personel to hold the memorial at national guard facility" 

 

again... Business decisions are not for us to frown on.. 

 

Bob blew this up 

 

this whole thing is stupid

[Mr. WEO]

14 minutes ago, billsfanmiamioh said:

This is pretty pathetic

 

I'm glad it inspired you to respond with this insight, though.

[PrimeTime101]

Just now, Mr. WEO said:

 

I'm glad it inspired you to respond with this insight, though.

well what you wrote left us very uninspired

[Mr. WEO]

38 minutes ago, PrimeTime101 said:

Ever hear the phrase consider the source? Bob Lonsberry has posted so much garbage in the past and removes it weeks later. He puts crap out on twitter then removes in weeks later. Bob Lonsberry is not a good source but you continue your love of good old bob.. Bob has slammed PSE in the past for stupid reasons then removed posts.

 

Here is what I know, Picking this up second hand. 

There were multiple scheduling changes on this event. When they settled on a time the slot was full. 

 

 

I am a no BS person.. I call it as it is,, Again take my words for what its worth.

 

your putting to much effort in trusting one side thinking the other side owes us an explanation.

 

The fact is they owe us.. The Military or the family 0 explanation as it was a business decision.

 

But again you keep following ole Bobbie O'

 

You talk about fact? 

 

There were talks back and forth 

 

https://www.whec.com/rochester-new-york-news/controversy-erupts-over-location-of-memorial-ceremony-for-3-guardsmen-who-died-in-helicopter-crash/6018472/?cat=565

 

here is another clue.. BOB is the only one complaining about this. The families are ok with it they were on time constraints times dates changed back and forth talks

 

National Guard decided against it in the end... 

 

know your facts before ranting about stuff your clueless about

 

TIME CONSTRAINTS...  

 

Oh man...lol

 

And in a WROC article the same day, the family member quoted was not OK with it.

 

58 minutes ago, jeremy2020 said:

 

I'm sorry you are the way you are. I hope things get better for you. 

 

I'm so close.....

Edited February 20, 2021 by Mr. WEO

[PrimeTime101]

1 minute ago, Mr. WEO said:

 

Oh man...lol

 

And in a WROC article the same day, the family member quoted was not OK with it.

 

The close family was fine with it.  it was one family member that quoted and not a close family member. Again I stated all the facts in this including the Pegula response and your still beating the bush.