Page 40 - February 2018 FOP Newsletter

This wasn’t just a game
Funny, but as I started writing this article I real- ized the date: Dec 7. A date, as FDR put it, “which will live in infamy” — the date that the U.S. was drawn into World War II. The photos and videos that chronicle that day are horrific. The heroic men and women who survived that day and the ensuing war have a special place in my heart, as I have had the honor of meeting many of them.
I hate to admit it, but like many of you reading this, there was a time when I took these people for granted. Sure, I read about them in history class
and saw my share of documentaries and war movies, but I never actually met or spoke with any of them.
All that changed in the spring of 2012, when I suited up to play a hockey game. At that time, I was a member of the FOP Stars Hockey Club, which is comprised of Chicago Police Of- ficers. We were scheduled to play a charity game against the FBI, with the proceeds going to something called Honor Flight Chicago. I’m not certain, but I don’t think any-
Just prior to the actual puck drop for the start of the game, we were asked to line up in a runway for play- er introductions. It was at that moment that my life changedforever.WorldWarIIveteranswerelinedup on the sides of the runway. As our names were called and we walked past them, they put out their hands and thanked us. It was surreal. These people were in their 80s and 90s, not the young faces I had images of in my mind. These were the actual heroes who had fought for my freedom, and they were thanking me for playing a game, when the re- ality was that my participation in this game was insignificant compared to their deeds. I was the one who should have been
thanking them, and I can assure you that I did.
I also did something else: I became familiar with Honor Flight Chicago. This organization honors World War II veter- ans by flying them from Chicago to Washington, D.C. so that they can visit the National World War II Memorial. This is not an easy task, as many of the vets have oxygen tanks, walkers or wheelchairs. It takes many volunteers and is done at no cost to the veterans. On the return trip, the veterans are treat- ed as if they are returning home from the war. There is a mail call on the return flight, where mail from then-girlfriends (now wives) are handed out to the vets. Many of these letters were actually missives sent during the war. Upon landing at Midway Airport, the vets are met by an honor guard, a brass band, waving flags, and thousands of grateful, cheering peo- ple welcoming them home. If you’re there, I can guarantee it
will bring a tear to your eyes.
You can do your part to support this organization — and
our veterans — by purchasing a ticket to this year’s hockey game, which will be held on March 3 at 7 pm in Bensenville, IL. Tickets may be purchased by visiting honorflightchicago. org. You can also choose to have a portion of your Amazon purchases support Honor Flight Chicago by linking the orga- nization to Amazon Smile.
RICH AGUILAR
one on the FOP side really knew too much about this organization.
Game day began pretty much the same as any game day. We arrived at the rink, were escorted to a locker room, and began to dress and prepare for the game. We hit the ice for warmups and went back to the locker room so the ice could be resurfaced.
FIELD
Representative
40 CHICAGO LODGE 7 ■ FEBRUARY 2018
I wish you and your families the best in 2018! d