Page 32 - FOP JUNE Newsletter

Lodge 7 President Dean Angelo, Sr. begins the memorial service with other speakers on the dais, including: Rabbi Moshe Wolf, Father Dan Brandt, 100
Club Executive Director Joe Ahern, FOP Family Auxiliary President Angie Haynes, Alderman Ray Lopez, Mayor Rahm Emanuel, Chicago Police Memorial TFoundation Executive Director Phil Cline and Chicago Police Department Superintendent Eddie Johnson.
here’s a new star in town, and it more than fittingly offering inspiration and appreciation. “Those that we accentuated the Chicago Lodge 7 Memorial Ser- honor here today have become the eternal symbol for the vice on May 3 commemorating National Police qualities that are evident throughout our agency. Their Awareness Month. The specially-crafted bronzed courage and sacrifice will always be the foundation of our rendering of the FOP Star adorning the Lodge 7 service.”
patio – the first of its kind – reminded how this occasion exhibited the relentless commitment to honoring Chica- go Police Officers lost in the line of duty, and the way the police family always comes together no matter what.
Wives, husbands, mothers, father, sisters, brothers, daughters, sons, partners, FOP leaders, members, retired members, veterans, Department leaders, elected officials and the mayor came to the Lodge on this appropriately sunny day to pay tribute and generate solace. The new star made it even more encouraging and inspiring, especially in this time of police needing some shining moments.
“It’s a very difficult time for the police right now, and when we do face difficult times, we do one thing best and that’s come together,” announced Lodge 7 President Dean Angelo, Sr. as he inaugurated the service. “We do have some important partners at City Hall and we do want to keep the lines of communication open, which is the first way to get things solved. So we want to thank everyone for being here and pledge our dedication to continue that communication as we move through this difficult time.”
And so began a gathering when camaraderie was off the charts. (Quick shout-out to Lodge 7 Administrative Assis- tant Doreen Plachta for planning, organizing and stirring the magnitude of the event.) It was a day to honor fall- en CPD officers John Lynch, Loubet Zaccard and Charles Stine, going back more than 80 years to remember some of those who made the ultimate sacrifice by adding their names to the Lodge’s Memorial Wall. And it was a day when words were more than just words but rather genu- ine statements of needed comfort and appreciation.
“Every day, Chicago police officers put their lives on the line to serve and protect the city we all call home,” stated Superintendent Eddie Johnson, one of a series of guests
32 CHICAGO LODGE 7 ■ JUNE 2016
Chicago Police Chaplain Rabbi Moshe Wolf set the tone for the memorial by fulfilling the tradition of offering the National Police Prayer that reminded: “...Give to their loved ones the peace and strength to bear the anguish of their loss. Remove all resentment from their hearts, knowing that eternal peace and rest will abide over their departed loved ones forever.” Rabbi Moshe also offered the perspective on why this memorial service is so per- sonal to every Lodge member.
“You walked in here past the memorial on the wall, and if you put your ear close to the wall you can hear those men and women say thank you to each and every one of the women and men for the Chicago Police Department who go out each and every day and put their lives on the line. ‘Thank you for not letting our sacrifice be in vain.’”
Following the Rabbi, and evoking a tradition from his own faith, Mayor Rahm Emanuel sermonized how when Jewish people get married, they break a glass to remem- ber that life is fragile. He apparently wanted this to be that type of remembrance. The Mayor then sent up his own consoling words, not just to the loved ones of Officers Lynch, Zaccard and Stine, but to all members of the De- partment and their families.
“It’s not just one weekend, it’s not just one moment, but always remembering from the whole city,” the may- or continued. “We remember the families and the selfless sacrifice that was done on behalf of our safety and securi- ty as a city. It’s a way for all of us to come together to make sure that in the many tomorrows you face, you will never be alone.”
No words can ever make up for the loss of a loved one, but maybe they can ease the fears and soothe the pain. And that’s the heartfelt tribute that came from Superin-