Page 39 - June 2017 Newsletter

“This was something recent, fresh in people’s hearts, still in their minds,” Ostrowski explained about why he chose to tell the story of Palmer’s tragic death while de- fending the Westminster Palace from a terrorist attempt that could have taken many lives if it weren’t for sacrific- ing his own on March 27.
“Day is done...”
Chicago Police Officers William Bodnar Jr. and Thomas A. Wodarczyk were next to be honored. Prohaska remind- ed the audience of the car wreck that ended the watch for these officers on April 8, 1974, while pursuing a stolen vehicle. Prohaska’s friendship with Bodnar’s son, and a fellow law enforcement officer for the Woodbridge Police Department that gave his tribute an unspoken personal connection.
“Gone the sun...”
Team leader Beyah was next to step forward. He picked up the police headgear worn by three Louisiana officers, Corporal Montrell Jackson, Officer Matthew Gerald and Deputy Sheriff Brad Garafola, when they were ambushed by a man with a rifle outside of a convenience store in Ba- ton Rouge, Louisiana, on July 17, 2016, an act of violence on police officers that shook the nation.
“From the lake, from the hills, from the sky...”
The last to be honored was Richland County, South Carolina Sheriff’s Deputy Ryan Rawl, who volunteered for deployment to Afghanistan with the South Carolina National Guard in 2012. Rothwell held the military head- piece firmly as he described how Rawl became the leader of soldiers and was killed by a suicide bomber outside of a
crowded marketplace.
“All is well, safely rest. God is nigh...”
Not a sound was made above the crisp echo of the trum- pet when Robles concluded the presentation with “Taps.” The unmistakable tune resonated through the crowd to the Capitol dome and beyond as Ostrowski, Beyah, Pro- haska and Rothwell held and saluted the U.S. flag in that same solemn fashion that pays respect to the fallen here and across the world.
“We have a lot in common with law enforcement over- seas, and we’re not in this by ourselves,” Ostrowski stated. “We are one family, grieving there... grieving here. It’s one family that grieves together.” d
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