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| Blue light honoring law enforcement. |
Memories from National
Police Week 2016
There are individuals among us that perform duties that go well beyond the norm. They Protect and Serve us all. Most times they go about their business with little or no fanfare. And on the worst day these proud defenders are taken from us before their time. Whether serving at the local, state, or federal level they are heroes. I am talking about those unique, and often under-appreciated, folks that choose Law Enforcement as their profession and calling.
All of those who make the choice to enter this
honorable profession must realize that they will enter dangerous areas or
situations. They also know that others
may seek them out in anger or assistance.
None of us know when our last day might be, but not all professions face
the danger of death as often or with such attitudes of servitude.
I have a great deal of respect and admiration for
those in this profession. Their duties
are of such that many would choose to avoid. There are several fantastic groups
and organizations that honor and assist those killed in the line of duty as
well as those left behind after such a tragedy.
I have provided links to some I am familiar with throughout this blog. There are also links to videos and articles
related to law enforcement and those that have given the ultimate sacrifice.
“In 1962, President John F. Kennedy
signed a proclamation which designated May 15 as Peace Officers Memorial Day
and the week in which that date falls as Police Week. Currently, tens of
thousands of law enforcement officers from around the world converge on
Washington, DC to participate in a number of planned events that honor those
whom have paid the ultimate sacrifice.
The Memorial Service began in 1982
as a gathering in Senate Park of approximately 120 survivors and supporters of
law enforcement. Decades later, the event, more commonly known as National
Police Week, has grown to a series of events which attracts thousands of
survivors and law enforcement officers to our Nation's Capital each year.
The National Peace Officers'
Memorial Service, which is sponsored by the Grand Lodge of the Fraternal Order
of Police, is one in a series of events which includes the Candlelight Vigil,
which is sponsored by the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund
(NLEOMF) and seminars sponsored by Concerns of Police Survivors (C.O.P.S.).
National Police Week draws in
between 25,000 to 40,000 attendees. The attendees come from departments
throughout the United States as well as from agencies throughout the world.
This provides a unique opportunity to meet others who work in law enforcement.”
It also allows for a time of remembrance and honor for the survivors and
community.
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| Law Enforcement United arriving at Marine Corp Memorial. |
Concerns of Police
Survivors (C.O.P.S.)
Arizona Concerns of
Police Survivors
Fraternal Order of
Police
Our True Heroes
“Our True Heroes is a grassroots
movement to honor the men and women who carry a badge. Our goal is to tell the
stories of everyday American heroes who put their lives on the line so that our
communities are safe. We believe that the more Americans hear about these acts
of courage and kindness, the more communities will work together to solve their
challenges.”
The Officer Down
Memorial
National Law
Enforcement Officers Memorial
2016 Candlelight Vigil
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| Police Unity Tour at National Law Enforcement Memorial |
“Officer Down” by
Hanna Ellis
Sound of Silence –
Blue Edition
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| 2016 Candlelight Vigil |
Sheriff David Clarke
at COPS Survivors Conference
Project Blue Light
“The color blue is symbolic of
“PEACE”.
By displaying your blue light(s) you
send a message that you support America’s Peacekeepers, your light is guiding
them to safety, and you hope the year will be peaceful. Shine it for the holiday season or let it
shine all year long. Project Blue Light is a nationwide recognition of those
Police Officers who have died in the line of duty. It began in 1988 in Phila
when Dolly Craig wrote a letter to Concerns of Police Survivors stating that
she would be honoring her late son-in-law, Philadelphia Police Officer Danny
Gleason, during the holiday season by placing a blue light in her window.”
Images from our week in D.C. for
National Police Week are my way of sharing memories. It is hard to explain the
different emotions throughout the week. You have to be able to experience,
firsthand, hundreds of bicycles arriving at the Marine Corp Memorial or
National Law Enforcement Memorial in honor of those who have fallen and for
those that survive. I can only imagine what it would be like if they could
agree to ride in together in a true show of “united unity.” I still cry when
hearing bag pipes play Amazing Grace, the sound of Taps, or a 21 Gun Salute.
The emotion is raw and healing at the same time.
Police Unity Tour
Law Enforcement United
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| Speaker, Pilot and Author Brian Shul. Incredible story! |
Spirit of Blue
Protecting our Nation’s
Law Enforcement
http://www.spiritofblue.com
There is also a special breed of public servant that holds a place in my heart. The often forgotten Correctional staff has organizations that assist them along the way. It sure is a strange way to make a living.
Desert Waters
Correctional Outreach
Correctional Peace
Officers Foundation
Corrections Staff
Fellowship
Some may ask what they can do to
show support for those in Law Enforcement. I would say there are a number of
great ways to let them know they are appreciated. There are magnets, license
plates and frames to put on your car. You can fly a blue ribbon from your
vehicle or put up blue lights where you live. I have been known to buy them a cup
of coffee, cover their meal expense, or wave as I drive past them on the road.
A smile and a thank you can also go a long way in letting them know they are
appreciated. I also support the organizations that I know support law
enforcement. These same types of things can be done for any of the first
responders in your community. Silent support does not seem like a viable option
in the world today.
Thank you to all of those in the Law
Enforcement community for your service and sacrifice. It takes a special person to do what you do
on a daily basis and I am glad you are out there. You are in my thoughts and prayers as are
your families. To my fellow survivors I
send my love, prayers, and understanding.
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| Cool car that we were able to sign on the hood. |
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| Jersey worn by "my sister from another mister." Patches are for her father Stuart Searles, as well as mine. |
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| Leroy D Brown and Dad |
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| Articles from 1969 about my father. |
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| At the National Law Enforcement Memorial |
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"The wicked flee when no man
pursueth: but the righteous are as bold as a lion." Proverbs 28:1
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| Thin Blue Line |
Feel free to comment and share this
blog.
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| Law enforcement image of 2016 Candlelight Vigil on the National Mall. |
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7 comments:
T.C., thank you for the images, and sharing the emotion of this incredible event. Before your posts and sharing, I admit I had very little awareness of how many and how often officers are killed in the line of duty, and moreso, the effect these losses have on the families. I had never seen that photo of you with your Mother accepting the Medal of Valor for your Dad. The image reminded me of that iconic photo of JFK's son standing next to his mother at the funeral. What a tragedy, no one should have to experience a loss like that at such a young age. The candlelight vigil looked very moving, and yes, the bagpipes get to me every time too. Your dedication to sharing and raising awareness for officers and families is a true and continuing tribute to your father.
Thanks for the great comment Heather C.
T.C. - this is absolutely a wonderful culmination of National Police Week. So much is done honoring all our fallen Brothers in Blue that most people have no idea the support and dedication that is freely offered and given every day. Our nation is truly dependant on our law enforcement officers and everyone associated with the brotherhood. My great appreciation to you for sharing this with our public.
Thank you for the kind words Roseann. I am honored and humbled.
Well done bud!
Thank you Blake!
Superb heart felt pictures from the week's events. Your newspaper clippings and the picture of your Dad's name engraved on the wall put the "lump" in my throat-those made the event more personal for me. Thanks for sharing, and I'm so happy you two had the opportunity to connect with others at the event!
-Jason and Melissa
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