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gPolice The Gift of the Memorial
When Cline became superintendent in 2003, part of his duties allowed him to see memorials other cities had built to their fallen officers. After one such trip, he met with the Gold Star Families and pro- posed the idea of Chicago building its own monument. Starting with some land the Chicago Park District donated south of Soldier Field, some flagpoles and police emblem etched into the bricks, a committee of police, business leaders and government offi- cials led the effort to raise $3.5 million to build the wall
that was eventually completed in 2007.
“To see those 575 names on the wall, I don’t see how
anybody can question how Chicago Police Officers haven’t put it all on the line to protect the city,” Cline comments. “Everybody should stop and look at that wall, realize what it means and say a little thank you to those cops that are on that wall.”
The Gift of Education
Since 2007, the CPMF has been fulfilling “The Mission Beyond the Memorial,” for which it has raised more than $8 million. Much of that has funded education for too many children of fallen officers and those who have been catastrophically injured to count. And that’s from the
Season of Giving
to The
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private school many Chicago cops work a second job in order to send their kids to through graduate school. Ad- ditionally, each family receives $2,500 at the beginning of each school year to help with clothing, supplies and even participating in extracurricular activities or after-school sports.
“The biggest difference we can make is with education,” Cline professes.
How much of a difference?
“It’s been a blessing,” Nauden acknowledges. “I don’t know where I’d be without them.”
The Gift of Gold
“To be alone would just add to the tragedy,” Hannus conveys.
So beyond the financial support, the Foundation has built a virtual cocoon for the Gold Star Families. A combi- nation of a support group, fraternity and heroes, the Gold Star Family network means not having to be alone in the tragedy. And more.
“On those days when you don’t understand why this has happened, you can talk to another family and somebody says, ‘Yes, I feel that way, too,’” Nauden explains. “You don’t get over losing a loved one, but it helps you live with it.”
The Gift of Light
One of the most illuminating nights of the year for all police officers comes each September when the Candlelight Vigil is held at the Gold Star Memorial. Blue lights shine bright, bounc- ing off Soldier Field all the way
to Buckingham Fountain. The blue line shines even brighter.
One by one, family members step
up to read the name of their officer who
was lost in the line of duty. In some years, recruits from the Chicago Police Academy have paraded in each carrying pictures of fallen officers attached to long wooden stakes.
“It’s a night to help us honor our promise to never for- get,” states CPMF Project Manager John Gordon, who lost his brother, Officer Michael Gordon, in 2004. “And it’s im- portant that these officers who made the sacrifice never be forgotten.”
The Gift of First Response
Whenever an officer is lost, literally within a day follow- ing the incident, the CPMF gives the family $5,000 for im- mediate expenses, such as bringing in relatives from out of town. “They are at your house right away with a check,” Nauden recalls. “You really don’t know what’s going on be- cause you are living outside your body. But you know (the Foundation) is there from the very beginning.”
The Gift of Vest Dressed
More than 6,000 Chicago Police Officers feel the impact of the Foundation every day. As of December 2016, that’s 6,113 to be exact. And counting.
38 CHICAGO LODGE 7 ■ DECEMBER 2016