Bernard Mendik's final task was to pay tribute to old partner.On May 24, Real estate chiefs mingled with top military brass as Vornado chief Steven Roth received the Intrepid Salute Award on the WWII WWII abbr. World War II WWII World War Two aircraft carrier, now the Intrepid Sea Air Space Museum. Among others present were Steve Ross, Bruce Mosler, and Bernard Mendik. Mendik, who introduced Roth at the dinner, died unexpectedly three days after the event. Mendik, in his introduction, said that he admired Roth's intellect. "He has one of the best business minds around," said Mendik, who then placed the Intrepid Salute Award medal around Roth's neck. Roth began his speech by admitting he felt "intimidated in·tim·i·date tr.v. in·tim·i·dat·ed, in·tim·i·dat·ing, in·tim·i·dates 1. To make timid; fill with fear. 2. To coerce or inhibit by or as if by threats. " in the crowd of high-ranking military officials in formal mess dress Mess dress is the military term for the formal evening dress worn in the mess or at other formal occasions. It is also known as mess uniform and mess kit. This style of military dress is largely restricted to the British, Commonwealth of Nations and United States , particularly because of his own service record. "I never got to be higher than a lieutenant in rank," said Roth, poking fun at his own short-lived career in the armed forces. "And I left the service a private," he added, drawing laughter from the crowd. Roth then thanked Cushman & Wakefield's Bruce Mosler and Tony Fisher of Fisher Brothers -- both ardent supporters of the Intrepid -- for inspiring him to do likewise. Mosler and Fisher approached him about the Intrepid earlier this year, "around the time that the World Trade Center negotiations were going on," said Roth. Of the Fisher family's steadfast support of the Intrepid, Roth called them "the single biggest contributors." At another point, Roth mentioned his recent overnight on board the USS USS abbr. 1. United States Senate 2. United States ship USS abbr (= United States Ship) → Namensteil von Schiffen der Kriegsmarine John F. Kennedy "John Kennedy" and "JFK" redirect here. For other uses, see John Kennedy (disambiguation) and JFK (disambiguation). John Fitzgerald Kennedy (May 29, 1917–November 22, 1963), was the thirty-fifth President of the United States, serving from 1961 until his assassination in , an aircraft carrier visiting for Fleet Week. Calling the aircraft carrier "the World Trade Center on its side," Roth described his sojourn as "awesome." And this second reference to the World Trade Center offered him another self-deprecating aside. "See? The World Trade Center still haunts me," said Roth, with a laugh. He closed his speech on a somber som·ber adj. 1. a. Dark; gloomy. b. Dull or dark in color. 2. a. Melancholy; dismal: a somber mood. b. Serious; grave. note by acknowledging the 270 people who died on this ship in wartime. "It deserves to be paid honor," said the honoree hon·or·ee n. The recipient of an honor. Noun 1. honoree - a recipient of honors in recognition of noteworthy accomplishments recipient, receiver - a person who receives something . The Intrepid Salute Award, in the words of the Museum, is "presented to an individual in recognition of his business achievements and support of important philanthropic activities." The dinner took place on board the Intrepid, the mammoth 200,000 SF aircraft carrier berthed on the Hudson. |
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