12-15-11

Thanks to Eleni and 36TR for the continued loyalty in keeping this group current and reverent. In spite of technical obstacles, you two still manage to bring dignity and honor to a this group of remembrance.

I have in my possession a casket flag (also called a Pall Flag). It is 6 feet x 9 feet (military specs) and is pre-folded in the presentation style that would be given to family members. Properly folded it shows one row of two stars, the next row of four stars with no red fabric showing. This is the perfect and proper fold.

Today, in honor of one of our fallen LEO's, I placed this folded flag in front of me, rendered a slow salute and held the salute for one minute, accompanied by one minute of silence. A prayer was embedded within that minute. I did this without show or fanfare. I was alone.

Why did I do this? I found by physically going out of my way, stopping, saluting the flag and imposing a minute of quietness on my part helped me to more deeply consider the loss. It gave me a minute without distraction to truly give grave consideration to yet another fallen officer. And again, somewhere along that one minute timeline, a prayer rose up on behalf of the family, agency and area where Undersheriff Pat Pyette, Blaine County S/O worked. He died yesterday, 12-14-11.

I do appreciate the sentiments, RIP's, and comments you post up to show respect and obvious love to the notification of a fallen officer.

Consider taking it a step further. Whether it is saluting a flag in honor of a fallen comrade or just remaining still and quiet for a full minute, it might bring you closer to the LEO family. You may even have a personal revelation about the seriousness of the work police officers and deputies and others do on a daily basis.

To many of you, you already know what I mean. You've stood in the heat, the cold and in the cemeteries to place our brothers and sisters in their final resting place. You know ....

Bump

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Thank you Eleni and 36TR for your continued undates.  I would l like to than Sarge for such a moving message.  I always say prayers for each and every Law Enforcement Officer down.  My prayers are extended to those who still are in the fight to protect us.  As citizens and students we need to remember to pray for those still fighting the hard fight.  I honor all of you and thank you.

Denise

Thank you Sarge. Undersheriff Pyette would have approved.

BUMP!

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My deepest gratitude to Eleni and 36TR for their unswerving dedication despite the numerous obstacles. 

Here in LODD, I look at the Officer's name and consider its ethnic origin.  I read the Officer's state then  picture something about it.  Then, for a time, I look at the officer's face.  I search it for things.  Then I proceed to see the number of years he or she served and the manner of death.  I read the account.  I picture what occured.  Sometimes tears come.  I write my prayer.  

Then I pray.  

All this is my silence.

My perception of law enforcement has changed since the day I visited the Officer Down Memorial Page, then found the door to PoliceLink.  As a civilian, the sentiments I pass on, the persuasive talk I make, the continued attempts to grasp the big picture, my participation here at PoliceLink - everything - is a salute.

Oh wow. Nothing I can say that hasn't been said, and said very well by TheSarge. I know whenever I pass a police memorial site I feel compelled to stop and render a proper salute and moment of silence but I never thought about saluting a folded US Flag! What a fantastic idea! The flag that was presented to me when my father died is here in my office and sits on a shelf with some of the medals that he was awarded in WWII.

a HUGE BUMP to TheSarge, Eleni, and 36TR!