Page 9 - FINAL WEST FOP BlueNote 2017 July August

Twin Counties Law Enforce-
ment Memorial Service
By Greg Brown – State Sergeant at Arms
Each year we come together to Honor
and remember our Fallen Brothers and Sis-
ters who have made the ultimate sacrifice
during the past year. We come together to
show our respect to each of these Fallen
Heroes. We want each family to know that
their loved one did not die in vain andtheir
memory will continue live on. We must
continue to honor them through a commit-
ment to law enforcement, to assure that
their sacrifice was not in vain. They will re- attended the North Carolina Peace Officers’ Memorial Day service
main in our hearts forever.
Thursday, May 18, 2017 was the date
of our Memorial Service. Area law en-
forcement from across the Twin Counties
of Nash and Edgecombe gathered to
honor and remember those officers who
died in the line of duty.
Those who gave their lives in the line
of duty are heroes. They are heroes not only
because of how they died but because of
how they lived. The courage shown during
the last few moments of their lives was not
an unusual event but a daily one.
God created the Police Officer knowing
the hearts of men and that criminal acts
would take place. He knew that people
would need help at times and that order
would be needed to maintain a peaceful
life. Our Fallen Brothers and Sisters knew
of this when they took the oath to Protect
and Serve and that one day they may be
called by Him.
We must never forget that Some Gave
All. We should also remember that All
Gave Some every day they wore the badge.
The ones who gave all are the ones that
gave some until their last day.
I would like to personally thank the
Nash and Edgecombe County Sheriff’sOf-
fices, the Rocky Mount, Tarboro, Sharps-
burg, and Nashville Police Departments,
the NC State Highway Patrol, the Green-
ville Public Safety Pipe and Drums, and
Drummonds Florist of Rocky Mount for all
their hard work and support of this year’s
Peace Officers’ Memorial Service.
May’s Memorial Services
By Terry Mangum – Immediate Past President
May is a very active month of Memorial Services on the local,
state, and national levels. I was fortunate enough to be able to attend
services this year in all three locales. I feel that attending these ser-
vices is the least I can do to honor and remember our fallen heroes.
First I attended Durham County Lodge 2’s 31st Annual Peace
Officers Memorial Service which was held at Grey Stone Baptist
Church in Durham. I have prepared another article in this issue with
a description of this service.
On May 3, I traveled to Gastonia with Chaplain Phil Wiggins. I
on May 4 at First Assembly Church. We were joined there by sev-
eral Executive Board members. President Randy Hagler and Chap-
lain Phil Wiggins performed the presentation of the FOP Memorials
to the survivors of Timothy James Brackeen (Shelby Police Depart-
ment) and John Thomas Isenhour (Forsyth County Sheriff’s Of-
fice). As we have done for many years, the Fraternal Order of Po-
lice State Lodge funded the luncheon after the service for the fami-
lies, escorts, and participants.
On May 13 I rode with President Randy Hagler, NationalTrus-
tee Dennis McCrary, and Chaplain Phil Wiggins to Washington DC
for the Police Week activities. We attended the 29th Annual Can-
dlelight Vigil and the 36th Annual National Peace Officers’ Memo-
rial Service on May 15. This year’s Memorial Service was well
attended by President Donald Trump’s Administration. President
Trump was the Keynote Speaker. During his remarks he even men-
tion Chaplain Phil Wiggins by name. Vice President Pence also
gave remarks. This is the first time I ever recall the President and
Vice President both attending this service. Also in attendance were
Attorney General Jeff Sessions, Homeland Security Secretary John
Kelly, and several other Secretaries. Very special music was per-
formed by Country Artist Kellie Pickler and later by Musical Artist
David Bray and they both remained on site for the service. Often
the singers leave after their song.
Another special event took place on the night of May 15.
President Donald Trump had the White House turned blue in
honor of law enforcement.
As always, if I may be of assistance to you or your lodge, please
do not hesitate to contact me.
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