This section is under construction... Order of Service The Obituary Photos from the Homegoing by     Ralph E. Smith   Photos of New York's Boldest: The Honor Guard Detail  Thank you for your Professional, Sharp Presence!               December 14,  from  7pm to 11pm      Family, Friends, Guardian & Federation Organizations throughout the City Brought the  Party to Harlem  Hospital to Cheer up Mr. Lenny Rubain

Homegoing Service for Mr. Leonard S. M. Rubain January 26, 2002 at Griffin-Peters Funeral Home in Harlem Written by Ralph E. Smith 01/26/02 My memories of Lenny Rubain by Ralph E. Smith- Publisher: Hey Smithy, "How many tickets are you going to sell for your Award Dinner on Saturday, March 25, 2000?  The Federation of African American Civil Service Organization, Inc needs your money today."  I will never forget that day because I went to the bank and took out $500 dollars to cover my table and pay Lenny"  Lenny had a way of making you keep your word. There are many that would say, Smithy, you're a good Public Speaker, but the real deal is that I couldn't walk an inch in Lenny's Shoes.  At the monthly Guardian Meetings, I would love to watch and learn public speaking skills from Lenny.  He knew how to work the floor and command respect!  Commanding respect by your presentation is something I learned from watching Lenny.  Lenny: The Teacher!  Mr. Leonard S. M. Rubain as stated in his Obituary/ Tribute  read by Ali Al Rahman was very fitting and true to  the life of Lenny. "Lenny dreamed of becoming a teacher.  However, racism and war short-circuited that dream.  He joined the 369th Infantry and valiantly fought for the country that failed to embrace his dreams."  Maybe Lenny never had an opportunity to become a school teacher, but I'm glad God used Lenny to teach young brothers like me and hundreds of others the meaning of "Being a Proud Black Man with Something to Offer the World"  Lenny always had an encouraging word for me.  When I told Lenny I was working in the New York City Police Department, he reminded me of the Movie Ali by saying, "Way to go Smithy numerous times"  In the Movie the line was Rumble Young Man, Rumble! Over the years, Lenny and I became close because of  the military bond between the the 369th and my Father, Francis E. Smith Sr.  My father was a Master Sergeant in the 369th and I would have long conversations with Lenny at our Guardian meeting about the unit and ask him questions about my father.  Sergeants run in my family because my brother Harold C. Smith was also a Sergeant. Lenny: A man of High Standards.  Lenny was born 1919.  This makes him 82.  Up until the day he was called home to be with the Lord,   this man as sick as his was, attended numerous Federation, Guardian, and community meetings.  I use Lenny as an example to staff in their 20's, 30's, and 40's to ask them why they don't come out to Guardian meetings.  The answer is always something about what the Guardians is not doing for them or didn't do in the past.  I always remind people that we have people like Lenny who is 80 plus and still coming out to meetings.  There is a serious problem when many of us stand around and sit on our ..... when people like Lenny paved the way for us to truly continue this struggle and stand up for our selves, each other, and the community.  After the Homeoging Service, I had several good conversations with different people right on the corner of 2284 Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. Boulevard.  The feedback I get from the Guardian in the street is Smithy, the Organization needs to stand for something.  Smithy we have brothers getting hung in various agencies and no body cares.  Positive change starts with one person. Change  starts when we as a collective people start caring about each other enough to say What's up brother as we walk down the street or down the hallway of a dark cell block post or street post.  Change starts when we remember as Norman Seabrook stated very well at the Friday, January 25, 2002 Correction Promotion Ceremony at Brooklyn College, "We as Correction Officers have to show love to each other and support each other." I, Ralph E. Smith want to put out a challenge in the spirit of Lenny Rubain: Make this Black History Month the month for old and new members of  various  Guardians and organizations  to come back to the tables and meeting locations and continue the mission of Lenny Rubain which is also the mission of the Federation of African -American Civil Service Organizations, Inc.: Mission:  Rededicate to the advancement of the principle of equality of opportunity in civil service, and to the promotion of understanding, friendship and cooperation among member organizations. The Challenge:  You don't like something in the Correction Guardians, then show up!  You don't like something in your command, then show up!  You want to see change, then show up!  Show up and then stay up with the organization through good and bad times instead of sitting down and pointing fingers! Stay up and stand up because that's what commitment is all about and that's what Lenny was about!  He was a committed Black Leader, Sergeant, Husband, Family Man, Teacher, and Meeting Preacher! Final Disposition                                                                              Oxford Hills Crematory                                                                       Monroe, New York Griffin-Peters Funeral Home  2284 Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. Boulevard               New York, New York For information, (212) 926-0905

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