Law Enforcement Appreciation Day (L.E.A.D.)
Today, January
Years ago…
Things were really different when I was growing up. We had a beat cop who walked our neighborhood. We knew him. He was our friend. Sometimes he had a piece of candy for us. He was the guy who showed up how to us the police call box at the end of the block (a blue box where you could pull a lever in an emergency). Some of our policemen drove the ambulance. We used that a couple times. I had three brothers and we only had one car so, the police ambulance was employed a couple times. They also took the widow down the block grocery shopping in the ambulance.
And down in the downtown Wauwatosa where my bus turned on the way to my job, we had a traffic cop like this:
I Appreciate…
I appreciate those who walk the grounds where I live as we have had thefts, break-ins, and even a woman being attacked walking home. And I live in a “safe” neighborhood.
I appreciate them as they protect me on the roads. These past few years we’ve had a rash of wrong-way drivers on our city freeways.
I appreciate when they put their lives on the line to protect me from those wielding knives, guns, and other weapons.
I appreciate that they keep our kids safe in schools. We have a law enforcement presence in a number of our schools here in my county. Sad, but true and necessary.
I appreciate that they give up their holiday family time to work so that we can be safe.
I appreciate those who work 3rd shift when they give up their sleep to appear in court to testify. That must play havoc on their sleep schedule.
I appreciate that they experience and see things on a regular basis that many of us will never ever have to experience or see and still show up for work again the next day, the next week, the next month.
I appreciate the sacrifices at home that many of them endure. Dealing with all that all that they do on the job is tough on marriages and families. For that I’m sorry.
Write some of your thoughts of appreciation in the comments.
How to Observe
There are many ways to let your law enforcement officials know that you appreciate them.
Write a note of thanks.
If you see a law enforcement officer today, thank them. Better yet, pick up their restaurant tab or buy them a cup of coffee if one is there while you are.
Change your FaceBook image to the one provided at:
www.facebook.com/nationalcops for the day.
Wear Blue.
Check out www.concernsofpolicesurvivors.org/lead for more ideas.
Final thought
I know there is a waive of anti-police sweeping across the country. Remember that there are bad people everywhere and in every profession. What’s the old song lyrics, “One bad apple don’t spoil the whole bunch?”
I’ve had some really rotten bosses. I saw one – one who lost his temper every day – jump up and try to choke an employee to death once a long time ago. He was a restaurant owner and attacked the manager. Two people jumped in and pulled the man off. Just because this one man was that way doesn’t mean that all restaurant owners are violent or lose their tempers every day. I’ve had other co-workers and bosses who were really awful – who hasn’t? But I’ve also had some great co-workers and bosses.
It’s not right to label everyone based on a few. Let’s show appreciation for those who do their jobs well and put their life on the line on a daily basis to protect us. R
Have a great day. I’m off to get coffee. I’m totally out – and that’s not a good thing.
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