Page 11 - FINAL WEST FOP BlueNote January February 2018
P. 11
Grand Lodge Update
By Dennis McCrary – NC National Trustee
The FOP family had some difficult times in the last sev- issue at a later date. The Executive Board has been hearing
eral months. On November 15 New Mexico National Trus- from some members about some concern for changes
tee J. R. Stewart was riding his personal motorcycle on his that were made on the National Memorial Committee.
way home from work. At the same time Las Cruces PD was This is the committee that handles the Memorial Service in
in a vehicle pursuit with at least two suspects in their city. DC in May. Several board members were not reappointed
While fleeing, the suspects struck JR and he succumbed to to this board and there were some complaints that this
his injuries. Two suspects were arrested. JR has been a ded- change was made because of political reasons. It is true that
icated FOP member and a good friend to all that knew him. the past chairman of the committee did not support our cur-
He will be missed by our FOP family. rent President for reelection and was very vocal with his
opposition. An explanation was given to some degree of
National President Chuck Canterbury’s son, KC, was what took place but since President Canterbury was not in
on duty November 25 when he had his Aorta rupture. He attendance, no definitive answers were provided. Everyone
was rushed to the hospital and underwent 12 hours of sur- that has served in leadership positions with the FOP knows
gery. The prognosis was not very good. It appears that God that when you support certain candidates that lose, you may
was watching over him and his recovery so far has been not be reappointed to a committee on which you have
miraculous. KC continues to be in our thoughts and prayers. served. We will probably hear more about this at our next
KC is an Officer with the Horry County Police Department, National FOP Board of Directors meeting in Seattle.
a local lodge President, and the 2nd VP of South Carolina
FOP. Most members know that there has been much activity
in Washington on a variety of issues since President Trump
Grand Lodge committee selection was completed in took office. President Canterbury has weighed in on all of
early December. I am honored to have been reappointed as those issues that have affected law enforcement. I urge each
Chairman of the Disaster Relief Committee. This is a very FOP member that has not already done so, to join the FOP
important committee that has helped hundreds of members Grassroots website to stay current on these issues and our
in their time of need. I ask every member of the FOP to positions. You can do so by going to the Grand Lodge web-
consider making a donation to the National FOP Founda- site and signing up for this information.
tion and earmark it for Disaster Relief. Many of those we
help have lost everything to floods, storms or fire. The Speaking of Washington, the FOP Day on the Hill is
amount we are able to provide it not a lot but members have being held February 12-14 in DC. This gives FOP leaders
been very appreciative of just the fact we show their broth- an opportunity to meet with their Congressmen and make
ers and sisters in the FOP that we care. sure they know who we are and what our positions are on
issues. The NC State Lodge has not been as active in recent
On December 4 the Executive Board of the Grand years in this project but with our State President Hagler
Lodge held a meeting by telephone to address a variety of chairing the committee responsible for this event, we are
issues. All Executive Board members, except the President looking forward to having several members attend this
who was attending to his son, participated in the meeting. year.
The National Trustees were allowed to sign on and listen to
the meeting but not speak. Several issues were addressed There are other issues that
that I want to brief North Carolina members on below. First have been addressed since our
the National FOP Office in DC has an intern, Alesia Camp- last BlueNote newsletter, but I
bell, doing some work for them. She may contact your local did want to at least address
lodge for information the Grand Lodge is collecting. The those discussed above. If you
National Legal Defense plan has added over 5000 new have any questions about activ-
members since our National Conference. North Carolina ity on the National level please
was singled out during the meeting for providing many do not hesitate to contact me.
more members beginning in 2018. The FOP currently has
several awards for members that show exceptional courage Again, thank you for allow- Dennis McCrary
or die in the line of duty. There is discussion being held on ing me to serve as your Na- National Trustee
possibly creating a Purple Heart award for those members tional Trustee and please let me
injured in the line of duty. We will hear a report on this know if I can do anything for
you or your lodge.
www.ncfop.org 11
