Page 40 - May 2017 Newsletter

WORD OF HONOR CONTINUED FROM PAGE 38
and women of Chicago’s great police department go on doing their jobs. Brave and heroic men and women are showing up at roll calls as we speak, getting ready for their tour of duty because they took an oath to protect the peo- ple of this city. Their wives and husbands, children and friends will worry about them, but they will still put on the uniform and do the job. That is bravery. That is heroism.”
If any words can further sum up the eloquence and im- portance of this day, they would be “honoring heroes.” Perez comes back every year to feel that honor and un- derstanding of how the ultimate sacrifice affects families, and she implored family members to enjoy every day with their officers. And in honoring Ben and others who are no longer with their families, Perez made a request of those on the job.
“Your family is there to love you and support you through good times and bad,” Perez reminded. “Don’t hold back. When you are with your wife or your children, you might be feeling the pressures and stresses from the job, but don’t let that prevent you from fully enjoying the time that you have with your wife and children, par- ents, brothers and sisters. Try to be in the moment when you are with your family. They will cherish those mo- ments forever.”
Parting words are always best coming from Father Dan
Brandt. And in conducting the service at the Lodge’s me- morial wall, Father Dan aptly quoted the prophet Micah from the Old Testament, chapter six.
“We are called to love what is right, to do what is good and just and to walk humbly with our God. May our of- ficers do exactly that this day and all days. And, in turn, may God bless them with healthy, happy and prosperous careers. Most of all, safe careers in the most noble profes- sion one can choose.” d
40 CHICAGO LODGE 7 ■ MAY 2017