We Were Together on 9/12

Sharing a very meaningful post on Facebook

Peace Officers Memorial Day and Police Week

By Diane Forrest

During the recent bombing at the Boston Marathon, two policemen were shot, one died.  This was a senseless death, and the young officer left behind.

Sean Collier, age 27, of Somerville, formerly of Wilmington, April 18, 2013 in the line of duty. Son of Allen Collier of Alton, NH and Kelley (Kelleher) Rogers and stepson of Joseph Rogers of Wilmington.  Grandson of William and Ella (Foley) Kelleher of Woburn. Brother of Nicole Lynch & her husband Brendan of Dracut, Jennifer Lemmerman & her husband John of Melrose, Robert Rogers of Dedham, Jennifer Rogers of S. Boston and Andrew Collier of Concord, NC.

He was a young man, just doing his job when the bomber came up to his car, shot him several times, ending his life, and his unknown future, maybe marriage, children.

This is not an isolated event.  Criminals scared of getting caught kill officers all over the country.

President Obama has declared this week Peace Officers Memorial Day and Police Week, 2013.  Read the Proclamation below.
Day after day, police officers in every corner of America suit up, put on the badge, and carry out their sworn duty to protect and serve. They step out the door every morning without considering bravery or heroics. They stay focused on meeting their responsibilities. They concentrate on keeping their neighborhoods safe and doing right by their fellow officers. And with quiet courage, they help fulfill the demanding yet vital task of shielding our people from harm. It is work that deserves our deepest respect -- because when darkness and danger would threaten the peace, our police officers are there to step in, ready to lay down their lives to protect our own.
This week, we pay solemn tribute to men and women who did. Setting aside fear and doubt, these officers made the ultimate sacrifice to preserve the rule of law and the communities they loved. They heard the call to serve and answered it; braved the line of fire; charged toward the danger. Our hearts are heavy with their loss, and on Peace Officers Memorial Day, our Nation comes together to reflect on the legacy they left us.
As we mark this occasion, let us remember that we can do no greater service to those who perished than by upholding what they fought to protect. That means doing everything we can to make our communities safer. It means putting cops back on the beat and supporting them with the tools and training they need. It means getting weapons of war off our streets and keeping guns out of the hands of criminals -- common-sense measures that would reduce gun violence and help officers do their job safely and effectively.
Together, we can accomplish those goals. So as we take this time to honor law enforcement in big cities and small towns all across our country, let us join them in pursuit of a brighter tomorrow. Our police officers serve and sacrifice on our behalf every day, and as citizens, we owe them nothing less than our full and lasting support.
By a joint resolution approved October 1, 1962, as amended (76 Stat. 676), and by Public Law 103-322, as amended (36 U.S.C. 136-137), the President has been authorized and requested to designate May 15 of each year as "Peace Officers Memorial Day" and the week in which it falls as "Police Week."
 NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim May 15, 2013, as Peace Officers Memorial Day and May 12 through May 18, 2013, as Police Week. I call upon all Americans to observe these events with appropriate ceremonies and activities. I also call on Governors of the United States and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, officials of the other territories subject to the jurisdiction of the United States, and appropriate officials of all units of government, to direct that the flag be flown at half-staff on Peace Officers Memorial Day. I further encourage all Americans to display the flag at half-staff from their homes and businesses on that day.
 IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this tenth day of May, in the year of our Lord two thousand thirteen, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-seventh.

 (All images from Google) 

And they are arguing about giving the killer his miranda rights?

From Facebook Post

The man in the cowboy hat in this photo's name is Carlos Arredondo. Carlos was at the Boston Marathon with his wife handing out American flags to runners. He lost a son to a sniper bullet in Iraq in 2004 and a second son to suicide a few years later - a depression triggered by the death of his brother. Carlos now spends a significant amount of his time on peace activism and working with vets coming home from war and was at the Marathon to hand out flags and inspire people.

Carlos does not having any medical training but when the blast went off, he ran towards the danger, jumped two fences and found the now-famous man in the wheelchair on the ground, both his legs blown off, and suffering from severe shock and critical wounds. He got him into a wheelchair and pinched the man's artery closed with two of his fingers (you can see him doing so in the photo). Because of Carlos, this man is alive today, having had surgery earlier today to remove both of his legs.

This man is a hero and deserves recognition. This man who lost so much still threw himself into the frenzy of panic and saved another guy's life.

Flag Day, USA – 2012

(Google Image) 

By Terry Orr

Celebrating Flag Day in America!!

(Google Image) 

(Google Image) 

(Google Image) 

(Google Image) 

(Google Image) 

U.S. Flag Quiz to test your knowledge of the “Stars and Stripes” http://www.factmonster.com/quizzes/usflag/1.html

(Google Image) 

(Google Image) 

(Google Image) 

(Google Image) 

(Google Image) 

Flag Day, June 14, 2011

Oh say does the star spangled banner yet wave! Today, we honor and commemorate the adoption of the flag in the United States.

This holiday was first proclaimed by President Woodrow Wilson in 1916, but the idea of an annual day specifically celebrating the flag goes back as far as 1885. Numerous newspaper articles cite the occurrence of a Wisconsin schoolteacher arranging June 14 as "Flag Birthday" for his students to observe.

Celebrate Flag Day and raise your American flags with pride for the land of the free and the home of the brave!