Page 39 - Sept 2017

True Colors
FOP conference provides much-needed nationwide support, recognition and appreciation for law enforcement while also confirming unity and camaraderie among members
n BY MITCHELL KRUGEL
n PHOTOS BY LYNN CRONQUIST AND BOB BAIKIE
Nick Duckhorn, rep for the citywide narcotics unit 189 out of Homan Square, moved through the lines of the 63rd Bien- nial National FOP Conference in Nashville to gather knowl- edge, “hoping to learn from already developed leaders about what we can do to make our union stronger.”
Kathleen Gahagan, a former member of the Lodge 7 Trust- ee Board who retired after 30-plus years on the job, worked the convention floor to see what challenges and problems members in other states were facing and learn how they are working through them. “I’m all ears,” she confirmed.
Tom Wake, a unit rep in 004, talked about three of the more than two dozen seminars the convention offered that he planned to attend: Representing Your Members; Legal Defense Plan; and Defending Your Defined Benefits. “More knowledge to represent the guys on the street,” Wake pro- fessed.
Lodge 7 delegates, a group befitting the FOP’s largest sin- gle lodge, relentlessly worked their way through the national conference Aug. 28-31 to soak up every morsel of experience and information. Clearly, this week served up more than ca- maraderie and toasting. Oh, there was plenty of both, but also substantive doses of unity, appreciation, confirmation, recognition, support, reinforcement of the law enforcement mission, tribute and learning.
“Sharing ideas and a lot of camaraderie,” confirmed Duck- horn, who was attending the biennial conference for the second time. “What we especially found this week is that we know we’re still supported. I think that’s the biggest thing.”
From the get-go, the national conference offered doses of pomp and circumstance meant to turn up the wow factor. The Nashville Metro Police posted colors and supplemented with a rifle twirling/juggling exhibition worthy of a military parade ground. And a week of resonating moments began with the most resonating. Suffice to say, you have never felt the unity like when 6,000 convention delegates rise to rever- berate the Pledge of Allegiance.
Appreciation, confirmation, recognition and tribute then came with the opening ceremony guest speakers who filled the bill National President Chuck Canterbury cast when he started the conference by remarking, “It’s very nice to be in a house where people love this country.” And even before At- torney General Jeff Sessions keynoted the opening day with his we’ve-got-your-back speech, another government official whipped the delegates into a frenzy.
Nashville Mayor Megan Barry passed on her standard wel- coming remarks to tell of the first response when her 22-year- old son Max died from an overdose four weeks before the conference. As Mayor Barry described how police officers came to her door at 3 a.m. and the officer who confirmed he
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