Wednesday, May 20, 2009

Obama Didn't Speak At The National Peace Officers Memorial


Sir,
While it's tradition for the World Series Champions to visit the White House each year there is also another tradition that happens in Washington, DC every May 15th. It is known as National Peace Officers Memorial Day and was signed into law on October 1, 1962 by President John F. Kennedy. That is the day that a ceremony is held at the United States Capitol to honor all law enforcement officers who made the Supreme Sacrifice the previous year. Historically, the President of the United States is the keynote speaker and welcomes the survivors as each officer's name is announced and the family places a flower in the FOP wreath in honor of their loved one.

The husbands, wives and children of the 134 officers killed last year in the Line of Duty were not the only family members who came to the ceremony. Their mothers, fathers, sisters and brothers also came to the Capitol to honor their hero. Also, the officers that served with them were in attendance. So there they were, almost 1,000 police survivors from every corner of the country, seated on the West Lawn of the Capitol waiting to be welcomed by the President only to find that he was unable to attend due to a photo opportunity and a 10 minute speech to a baseball team.

It's not the Phillies fault that the President of the United States was busy welcoming them to the Rose Garden, they deserved that, but if it was known that the Law Enforcement Memorial Service was scheduled for noon on May 15th I'm sure an adjustment would have been made to accommodate both.

My question is how do you tell a child whose parent was killed protecting his community, that the President would not be coming to honor his mom or dad because even though he was just down the street he was too busy taking a picture with a baseball team. The City of Philadelphia, the Delaware Valley and our country has seen way too many officers killed in the Line of Duty. FYI...there are 18,661 names on the walls of the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, DC, and one horrible fact remains. Every 53 hours a Police Officer is killed in the Line of Duty.

At every funeral you see the outpouring of grief and sympathy from our citizens. There are fund raisers at Geno's, Finnegan's Wake, the FOP and numerous establishments around the city to support the officer's family. We as Police Officers cannot thank the citizens enough for their kindness, generosity and support, but the men and women who were in DC for Police Week are reeling from the President's decision not to pay his respects by attending the memorial service but instead chose to welcome a baseball team to the Rose Garden. There is no comparison. There is no excuse. There is no justification. I don't understand his reasoning....go pay my respects to 134 Police Officers killed in the Line of Duty or take a picture with a baseball team.
THIS IS NOTHING BUT AN INSULT!!!

I became a Police Officer in 1974 and retired in 2001 and in those 35 years I may have missed 4 or 5 funerals but I've yet to miss the Memorial Service in DC. His disregard of the 134 Fallen Officers, their families and departments is beyond comprehension. IT IS A DISGRACE!!!

Sincerely,
Sgt. Richard G. Desmond
Camden NJPD/Retired

President/1994 - Present
Camden County Emerald Society

Past National President/2002-2005
National Conference of Law Enforcement Emerald Societies
____________________________________________________________________
I have attended the memorial twice & president Bush spoke both times not only that he talked to each individual family that lost a loved one in the line of duty for 10 to 15 minutues each . Thats the diffrence between Barry & Bush

10 comments:

Second City Wifey said...

I am not in the least bit surprised. On another note regarding him flying Air Force #1 over New York , I think he knew exactly what type of reaction he would get and he somehow got off on it. Sick.

John M. Wills said...

I was at the Vigil and frankly, I'm somewhat glad that he wasn't there. It was bad enough that Eric Holder and Janet Napolitano were on the dais. Hypocrits add nothing to the solemn occasion, since they are only there for appearance only.

Anonymous said...

I don't think he deserves to have been there.

Anonymous said...

This is not suprising to me. What would you expect from A half breed mutt.

Anonymous said...

You and me girl have been at Police week many times girl...... Each time it was an HONOR to be there for our fallen. We were unable to make it this year. I would have to agree, that I am glad that Obambi didn't speak, he would have tarnished the beautiful and sad ceremony. John Willis is also correct. Holder and Napalotano had NO RIGHT being up on that dais. They are disgusting human beings that are not friends of the police. I was hoping to hear when Holder got up to speak they would turn their backs on him in the crowd.

This is going to be a long 4 years, 1 Police weeks down one with out Obambi, 3 to go, let's hope he keeps up this tradition.

Anonymous said...

I am sickened by the thought that I know many CPD that did vote for this ignorant, selfish, egotistcal bastard, and they still defend him. I believe that he deliberately did not attend and in the future I hope he is told that he is not welcome to attend. Just as he did not bother to attend the military inaugural ball, his actions speak for themselves. Just as king richie does not attend the St. Jude's March in honor of our fallen.

Bitches In Blue said...

It is disgusting I hate Barry but he should show some respect for our fallen officers .I have attened the memorial twice & George W Bush Spoke both times when I was there . Where are Obama's priorities???????

Hogdayafternoon said...

Government and elected officials should never attempt to bullshit the bullshitproof or that they only get one shot at faking sincerity. When will they ever learn this?

Tenderfoot said...

Should be obvious Obama doesn't care. He's too busy wrecking the economy and aiding our enemies!

Murphy's Law said...

Do you really want him there, perhaps with his attempted cop-killer buddy Bill Ayers and Bernardine Dohrn in tow?

Yes, is was a disrespect, him not bothering to show, but it's kind of like feeling bad because Michael Jackson couldn't make it to your kids' birthday party--some attendees you just don't want.