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adversely impact law enforcement. If successful in garner- ing sufficient support for passage, the language of many of the anti-law enforcement bills in Illinois and elsewhere have the potential to change how policing will be done, how long complaint history records can be kept, how police misconduct will be reported, how an officer will act when faced with a person who may or may not have a psychosis, and the list goes on and on and on.
The National Law Enforcement Officer Memorial and the National Police Officer Day are only a few of the events designed to remember those in the law enforcement com- munity who have made the ultimate sacrifice. Every year that passes, first-time attendees to the National Memorial in Washington, D.C. make the trek east and wind up being amazed at what that event offers. So once again, we strongly suggest that our members (and family members) make every attempt to attend one of these events, and if you only choose one to attend before your career ends, Washington D.C. is a must.
On our end, we also have a common thread that is easily traceable; Lodge 7, Lodge 41, the State Lodge, as well as the FOP Labor Council, will be vigilant in our collective lobby- ing efforts to once again address the over-legislating of police officers by those who have never worked a day of their life in law enforcement.
If, on the other hand, attending one of these events is out of the realm of possibility, there are always other ways to participate. During the course of our careers, we all have knowledge of a hero who lost his or her life while “serving and protecting.” It doesn’t take much effort or much time to pause for a moment or two in order to remember that fallen friend, partner, co-worker or even family member as a sign of respect. Another possibility could be as easy as a quick phone call to some of the old friends, ex-partners, former co-workers or family members in order to sit down for a meal, or to toast a few or simply just to talk together about that hero. Although remembering costs nothing, the act of remembrance can be priceless. d
May Memorials and Memories
By the time you read this issue, Chicago Police Memorial Foundation’s Run to Remember (April 30), the Annual St. Jude Memorial Parade (May 1), the Chicago Lodge 7 Annual Memorial (May 3) and the Illinois Police Officer’s Memorial (May 5) will all have taken place. Why mention the events and their corresponding dates even though the dates have passed? We do so because each and every one of us who has already been involved in attending our memorial events, knows all-too-well that they were well-attended, no matter the weather. So on behalf of all of those who have fallen, the Lodge thanks you.
Be Safe and God Bless the Police
CHICAGO LODGE 7 ■ MAY 2016 7