Celebration of Sacrifice

How many of us are willing to dedicate ourselves to the betterment of our community and our fellowman? 

How many of you actually have? 

I suspect most of us enjoy the fantasy of believing we would be willing to make the personal and financial sacrifices required to serve our communities.   We rely upon the few highly qualified, skilled individuals who work year after year for minimal financial gain and little recognition. In exchange, they enjoy a higher divorce rate and retire with physical disabilities five times greater than the average occupation. The average police officer or fireman survives less than five years after retirement. 

The folks who commit to the life of service are the cream of the crop. The best we have to offer. They have the potential to achieve higher pay, work fewer hours and have a safer work environment in almost any other occupation. They accept these terms while being told they would likely have a longer life expectancy if they sought the corporate lifestyle.

I do not believe many people realize that public safety personnel within our community leave their families each day ready to lay down their lives for any one of us.  When a police officer writes you a ticket for speeding, he or she would make the ultimate sacrifice for you. They do not want too, but they will, without hesitation. They have no death wish.  To the contrary, they want to live life to the fullest and make a difference.  

How many of you would lay down your life for the officer who issued you your last ticket? 

Would you go to work knowing you will be spat upon or called a ''pig'' by the public you serve?  

Would you work in an industry where you are required to make split-second life or death decisions knowing that courts, juries, the media and the public will second guess that decision?

Would you enter your neighbor's home while it was burning in hopes of rescuing them? I know dozen's of fireman who have.  

Our safety personnel risk the distinct possibility of leaving their wives and children as widows and orphans by risking all for you and your families. They actually find themselves placing your family above their own and they don't even know you.

It is time to recognize this group of individuals who have served in the past, continue to serve and those aspiring to enter public service. I do not know of a more noble a gesture than to enter a life of service for your neighbor.   We must recognize the sacrifice our young people make, as they enter these professions.  They do not do it for money… they do it because it needs to be done.   They are the sentries at our doors and they serve with honor and integrity.

Our heroes are always left to face the demons witnessed at work in their nightmares while they sleep.  It’s our hero who responds to the death of a child in a car accident.  It’s our hero who must enter dark waters to recover our loved ones who have drowned.  It’s our hero who comes to our door in the middle of the night to deliver the news and embrace a grieving mother.

I would be remiss if I did not point out the contribution made by the families of our heroes.   These families give up financial rewards, normal schedules, holidays with family, and evening school programs. Tragically, they too often loose their spouse or parent to a senseless act of violence or accidental death. They too serve.

 Once a year we gather to recognize our Law Enforcement Officers' of the year. This event recognizes a single individual from each agency.   I am personally not aware of a similar firefighter's award. I would very much like our community to take some time to personally identify and thank every:

·         Police Officer

·         Deputy Sheriff

·         Reserve Officer

·         Highway Patrol Officer

·         Game Warden

·         Fire Fighter

·         Volunteer Fireman

·         Paramedic

·         Corrections Officer

·         Dispatcher

I would like to thank every man and woman who has served, retired or made the sacrifice of their families and even their lives. Recently, I was served dinner by sheriff deputies working as servers on their own time at a restaurant for charity. The program was called ''Tip a Cop''. A few days later I was approached by firefighters at a stop light collecting charitable donations in their boots.  I think these unselfish men and women would serve and protect us even if the were not financially compensated. Many do…they are called reserve officers or volunteer firemen. I spoke to a deputy sheriff preparing to retire recently and asked him what he planned to do after retirement.  He answered, ‘’I plan to volunteer with the Red Cross’’.

I urge you to thank your police and firefighters at every opportunity. They deserve our gratitude and appreciation. Please treat them with the dignity and respect they have earned.

To our heroes - I thank God for each and every one of you and pledge my never ending commitment and admiration for your sacrifice, your honor and your chosen profession.

Be safe and be careful!