Page 32 - January 2020 FOP Magazine

OPERATION SANTA CONTINUED FROM PAGE 31
Before departing, a department hero gets a recognition that has been a long time coming. Jennifer Van Vegten was 3 years old when her father, Andre, was nearly lost in a fire caused when his patrol unit was forced into a concrete planter by another ve- hicle. She is 24 now and was able to hear rousing applause for her father through Operation Santa.
Michael Gordon’s sons, Malik and Cullen, feel similar praise when they come to 008 with their mom, India, on this morning. She has also seen Operation Santa help raise her boys, and she shares a very telling emotion about the event. “It’s larger than life,” India confirms.
It’s about life – remembering, celebrating and continuing – and those three aspects underscore the first three stops of day two: the Bauer, Gary and Marmolejo homes.
“I think it just helps to know that it wasn’t for nothing and that he’ll always be remembered,” Maria Marmolejo states. “Not only by us and our family, but by the whole city.”
The operation treks to Flossmoor to see one of its old friends. Cedric Brumley, who retired from 004 after a near-fatal car ac- cident left him paralyzed in 2002, treats Operation Santa like a family reunion. One of the operation’s beloved daughters is Ca- lyn Brumley. She is now a freshman at Georgetown, so Cedric FaceTimed her and put her up on the flatscreen hanging in his living room.
Calyn is studying for finals, so this is an excused absence. And a fulfillment of the CPMF’s desire to make sure these kids can pursue their education. “They pick it up for you, man,” Cedric extols. “I told Calyn this is what they want. They want her to suc- ceed.”
The kids have created an anything-is-possible mantra for Op-
Alex Valadez Jr. feels the connection that Operation Santa brings to every family it visits.
eration Santa. At the home of Angel and Naomi Taylor, officers can see the spirit of their brother Nate, who was killed by a pre- viously convicted felon in 2008, living on. “His spirit is around through all of you,” Angel announces. “Nate was a gentle giant. Very attentive. Very cuddling. Very affectionate. And Naomi has all those traits.”
At the home of Paul Nauden, who was lost after suffering a heart attack when involved in an undercover narcotics inves- tigation in 2011, there’s more than the image of daughters Avril and Alana hugging Santa that is inspiring. A photo collage hang- ing in the hallway shows Dad with the girls dressed in replica Chicago Police uniforms. After seeing this, it’s almost hard to go on. But it does with Operation Santa.
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32 CHICAGO LODGE 7 ■ JANUARY 2020