Thursday, April 05, 2007

The Fallen Heros

The city of Charlotte lost two police officers last Saturday. It was an act of violence.. that they never saw coming. One of the officers left behind a 6 mos. pregnant wife and a three year old boy. His service was today. The city came out to support the officers and their families in droves. The service was broadcasted here and the processional went right by my neighborhood. I stood out by the street with lots of my neighbors for an hour as the cars rode by.

The second officer's service is tomorrow and I plan on taking the girls with me for them to see.

It doesn't matter if we knew them personally. A life is a life. There is value in recognizing these heros in our city. There is value is saying we are sorry. And we are sad for the son who lost his daddy.. and for the unborn son who will never know him. And we are sorry for the wife who is left alone trying to grasp her new reality.

I am always amazed how one life .. one life can touch so many people. I am amazed at the goodness of strangers who have shown their support. Waving flags and holding their hands over their hearts as the cars drove by. This new widow drove in the car for 20 miles to the gravesite with flags waving.. hundreds of people honoring her husband all the way. It doesn't bring him back. It doesn't take the sting away. But there must have been a sense of pride as she witnessed this sight. I can imagine she must of told their little three year old boy.. that "This is for your daddy".

Everyday men and women wake up and put their life ahead of yours and mine.

I was reminded of this fact today.. as I watched this scene play out.

7 comments:

workinthatpreppy said...

wow..i am just so sorry...

lisagh said...

I was once told by a very wise man that there are 3 types of people in this world: sheep, sheepdogs and wolves. The sheepdogs are the police officers, the firefighters, armed forces people etc. who are inherently programmed to protect the sheep from the wolves. It's what they feel the must do. It is their instinct.

Every day I am thankful for our sheepdogs.

P in VT said...

Thanks for putting everything into perspective and reminding me to think and appreciate more.

Anonymous said...

From the wife of a firefighter and the sister in law of a Policeman...thanks for posting this! I pray everyday that my husband and brother in law are safe...I visit your site daily and love reading about your adventures.
Happy Easter!!!

jillskict said...

Thank you. . . .

Sarahviz said...

Your words made me cry. That's just so sad.

Sisters with Style said...

Thanks for the beautiful post.