Hardly a day that goes by that I don’t read of a law enforcement officer losing his life in the line of duty.  It can be dangerous work that goes from the routine to the chaotic in the blink of an eye.

We are in the midst of National Police Week and in a few minutes, at midnight, I’ll go outside and lower the flags in front of the house to half staff for National Peace Officers’ Memorial Day.  The sun will rise in the morning on those flags at half staff as it also rises on the thousands of graves of fallen officers.

Not aware of this day?  Many, perhaps most, are unfortunately also unaware.  But it’s not exactly a new thing and it’s a shame so few know about it.  How can so many citizens of this country not know? 

I suspect the reason so many don’t know is because we haven’t managed to turn this day of remembrance into a fun holiday, commercial sales day, a day for recreation and enjoyment, and another excuse for shirking responsibilities.  Perhaps the generally spoiled citizenry of this country who remember best those things associated with personal enjoyment don’t have a day of true remembrance on their radar because it is one of few memorial days left that hasn’t lost its meaning.

In 1962, President John F. Kennedy designated May 15 as National Peace Officers Memorial Day, and the calendar week in which May 15 falls as National Police Week.  On September 13, 1994 President Bill Clinton signed Public Law 103-322 requiring the American flag to be lowered to half-staff each year on May 15, Peace Officers Memorial Day. 

I do hope the minority group of law-breaking officers can manage to stay out of the limelight so proper respects can be paid to those who not only did the right thing but gave their lives in doing so.  It doesn’t seem to much to ask in honor of those memorialized and the families they left behind.

I hope the officers you and I may meet over the next year, and those whom we will not meet despite their unseen efforts to provide protection in our communities, will not be of those for whom the flag is lowered in 2009.

Mark your calendar.  Most publishers don’t.  May 15th.  National Peace Officers’ Day.

To LawDog, and to PawPaw, and to Matt G, though you are many miles from my community, thank you and be safe.

Excuse me.  It is time to lower the flags.