Honer our Fallen LEO'S with a candle light

[sosteve]

I wonder how many PD'S will hold one outside their station.





On May 13th, over 20,000 law enforcement officers, surviving family members, and supporters will gather at the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial to formally dedicate the newly-engraved names of 316 fallen officers at the 23rd Annual Candlelight Vigil.

Help the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund honor America’s law enforcement officers – especially our fallen heroes – by lighting a virtual candle and leaving a tribute message in their honor. Light your candle at National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund: Light a Virtual Candle.

[Cat_Doc]

We had our agency Fallen Officer memorial services last night.

Very nice chain of events to finish up after the guest speakers.

The Honor Guard marched to the front for ceremonious candle lighting, then went down both sides of the visitors seating area lighting a candle for the person on each end of each row. The line then lit each other's candles until the seating section was bright with hundreds of candles.

Then dispatch put out the “Last Call” on radio PA. This was followed by "hidden" bagpipers playing Amazing Graze as they marched from the shadows to to the front stage area.

This was followed by a 21 gun salute, which was followed by one of our Honor Guard walking a horse from our Mounted Patrol around the visitors, to the front stage and back; empty saddle, boots backwards in stirrups.

Finally, (and this one got to me a little) Taps, echo style, from two buglers at opposite ends of the visitor section.

I stood in formation for the entire event but the sore feet were worth it. This was one of the best I have ever been to.

A pic of what the Memorial Wall looks like at our agency.

[suzanne1020U.S.]

We had our agency Fallen Officer memorial services last night.

Very nice chain of events to finish up after the guest speakers.

The Honor Guard marched to the front for ceremonious candle lighting, then went down both sides of the visitors seating area lighting a candle for the person on each end of each row. The line then lit each other's candles until the seating section was bright with hundreds of candles.

Then dispatch put out the “Last Call” on radio PA. This was followed by "hidden" bagpipers playing Amazing Graze as they marched from the shadows to to the front stage area.

This was followed by a 21 gun salute, which was followed by one of our Honor Guard walking a horse from our Mounted Patrol around the visitors, to the front stage and back; empty saddle, boots backwards in stirrups.

Finally, (and this one got to me a little) Taps, echo style, from two buglers at opposite ends of the visitor section.

I stood in formation for the entire event but the sore feet were worth it. This was one of the best I have ever been to.

A pic of what the Memorial Wall looks like at our agency.

I wish I was there to experience such a show of respect to those officers whom have fallen in the line of duty, yet risen in the hearts of many.

As you all know I'm on the Survivor's Memorial Fund which is an organization which raises money for officers who have given their lives in the line of duty, so this really hits home for me. Actually, I'm quite sure it's hits home to anyone who has an ounce of compassion for their fellow man/woman, but I guess I have a soft spot for someone who lives by a code of honor and then gives their life for that code.

Well done, Cat Doc, your agency did a fine job honoring these men and women who stand for honor-
May their passing never go in vain.

[retdetsgt]

We have a memorial wall down by the river front.

Memorial

That's where Obama's campaign put the portable toilets when he was campaigning here.

Officers: Memorial Used As Porta-Potty Pit Stop At Obama Rally - Portland News Story - KPTV Portland

To be fair, that says more about the Oregon Democratic Party than it does about Obama personally. I doubt he was concerned about such mundane details, but it's fairly typical of local Democrats.

[Cat_Doc]

Well done, Cat Doc, your agency did a fine job honoring these men and women who stand for honor-

Thanks, Suzanne.

Because of scheduling, this was only the second memorial I have been able to attend. This last one was just so much better with symbolic ceremony. Our Honor Guard and the staff that planned it outdid themselves with respect for our fallen.

I could have sat with members of command staff in the audience, but I chose to stand in formation with my troops. Like I mentioned, this old man's feet sure started to hurt after an hour or so, but it was certainly worth it. I will stand with the troops again next year, but will make sure I have some good inserts!

p.s. Another very cool thing that happened was that after about 45 mins in the Arizona May heat, a group of Police Explorers walked between the ranks of formation and brought us cold water. This helped make it through the nearly hour and half that we stood at attention or parade rest depending on what was occurring.

[greg72982]

p.s. Another very cool thing that happened was that after about 45 mins in the Arizona May heat, a group of Police Explorers walked between the ranks of formation and brought us cold water. This helped make it through the nearly hour and half that we stood at attention or parade rest depending on what was occurring.

Did they have cheese also?

[Cat_Doc]

Did they have cheese also?

Not that I saw. And, they were wearing pants.