 June 20, 2005
RE: MICHIGAN FALLEN HEROES MEMORIAL
Dear Loved Ones of Those Lost in the Line of Duty:
In the fall of 2001, we began designs and plans for the construction of a statewide memorial dedicated to Michigan’s police officers and firefighters who lost their lives in the line of duty. I am proud to say that, since that time, the Memorial has become much more than we could have possibly imagined and a true tribute to Michigan’s heroes.
Thanks to the generous support of the community and businesses, we have already completed Phase I of the project which includes $100,000 and the delivery of the bronze statues – a police officer and firefighter set side-by-side. We are currently working on the final steps of Phase II of the project, which will include a granite base and a granite wall upon which the names of Michigan’s Fallen Heroes will be diamond etched. All of this could only have been done with the overwhelming support of our donors and individual community efforts throughout the State. The generosity of those who care about the Memorial is in and of itself a tribute to those who have so selflessly given their lives.
We hope you will take the time to learn more about the Memorial and contact us if you have any additional questions.
Finally, in an effort to keep you and your family apprised of the progress of the Memorial as well as invitations to our periodic ceremonies which pay tribute to our heroes, we are gathering information of family members of those lost in the line of duty. You can help in our efforts by sending us the contact names, addresses, telephone numbers, and e-mail addresses of the loved ones who have been left behind and wish to be kept updated of the happenings of the Michigan Fallen Heroes Memorial. This will also include notification and invitation to the unveiling of the granite wall, Phase II of the project, which is scheduled to occur this September, 2005. Please email any information you wish to share to my Community Liaison, Mandy Ford, at forda@co.oakland.mi.us, or contact her at (248) 858-1947.
Thank you for your time and quick response. We look forward to hearing from you as we strive to keep the memories of our Fallen Heroes alive.
Sincerely,
Michael J. Bouchard
Oakland County Sheriff
 |
After the horrific events of September 11 we dedicated a section of our web site to providing resources and support to those in need. A year later we recapture a moment in history with a tribute to American Heros. Here you can read the outpouring of support offered by many contributors.
American Heros
Attack on America Presentation
|
I wish you could see the sadness of a business man as his livelihood goes up in flames, or that family returning home, only to find their house and belongings damaged or lost for good.
I wish you could know what it is like to search a burning bedroom for trapped children, flames rolling above your head, your palms and knees burning as you crawl, the floor sagging under your weight as the
kitchen below you burns.
I wish you could comprehend a wife's horror at 3a.m. as I check her husband of 40 years for a pulse and find none. I start CPR anyway, hoping to bring him back, knowing intuitively it is too late. But wanting his wife and family to know everything possible was done to try to save his life.
I wish you knew the unique smell of burning insulation, the taste of soot-filled mucus, the feeling of intense heat through your turnout gear, the sound of flames crackling, the eeriness of being able to see absolutely nothing in dense smoke-sensations that I've become too familiar with.
I wish you could understand how it feels to go to work in the morning after having spent most of the night, hot and soaking wet at a multiple alarm fire.
I wish you could read my mind as I respond to a building fire "Is this a false alarm or a working fire? How is the building constructed? What hazards await me? Is anyone trapped?" Or to an EMS call, "What is wrong with the patient? Is it minor or life-threatening? Is the caller really in distress or is he waiting for us with a 2x4 or a gun?"
I wish you could be in the emergency room as a doctor pronounces dead the beautiful five-year old girl that I have been trying to save during the past 25 minutes. Who will never go on her first date or say the words, "I love you Mommy" again.
I wish you could know the frustration I feel in the cab of the engine or my personal vehicle, the driver with his foot pressing down hard on the pedal, my arm tugging again and again at the air horn chain, as you fail to yield the right-of-way at an intersection or in traffic. When you need us however, your first comment upon our arrival will be, "It took you forever to get here!"
I wish you could know my thoughts as I help extricate a girl of teenage years from the remains of her automobile. "What if this was my sister, my girlfriend or a friend? What were her parents reaction going to be when they opened the door to find a police officer with hat in hand?"
I wish you could know how it feels to walk in the back door and greet my parents and family, not having the heart to tell them that I nearly did not come back from the last call.
I wish you could feel the hurt as people verbally, and sometimes physically, abuse us or belittle what I do, or as they express their attitudes of "It will never happen to me"
I wish you could realize the physical, emotional and mental drain or missed meals, lost sleep and forgone social activities, in addition to all the tragedy my eyes have seen.
I wish you could know the brotherhood and self-satisfaction of helping save a life or of preserving someone's property, or being able to be there in time of crisis, or creating order from total chaos.
I wish you could understand what it feels like to have a little boy tugging at your arm and asking, "Is Mommy okay?" Not even being able to look in his eyes without tears from your own and not knowing what to say. Or to have to hold back a long time friend who watches his buddy having rescue breathing done on him as they take him away in the ambulance. You know all along he did not have his seat belt on. A sensation that I have become too familiar with.
Unless you have lived with this kind of life, you will never truly understand or appreciate who I am, we are, or what our job really means to us...I wish you could though.
|
