Song for Today: Taps

In Season: white shoes

The cemetery was so colorful as I drove past it yesterday. It seemed like every grave was adorn with bright flowers and American flags. Wondering if all the grave sites were for veterans, I assumed that it was probably a mix. Memorial weekend is a time to remember those who passed on. Besides honoring brave soldiers, I have a purpose in my life's work; to honor and appreciate anyone who put their lives in jeopardy for "the common good". Nonetheless, this work comes every year, ready or not, since my Dad passed away in police service, also. One of the things that helps me honor my loss is associating with other families of fallen police officers. In the mail last week, I received the annual Police Memorial Day Special Edition, a thin magazine honoring officers who died in the last year. I have a morbid fascination in reading how each officer died, their ages, survivors...and especially the circumstances. I read how many kids somone had, while sending out my secret blessings. A lot of officers were killed in automobile accidents. Some, fatally shot. A few were downright tragic and a few bizzare. Let's remember a few of them.....

Officer David Mobilio, 31 Red Bluff CA was fatally shot on November 19, 2002. He was at the gas station the department uses to fuel up cars when he was ambushed. Survived by wife, son.

Sheriff Samuel Catron, 48 Somerset, Kentucky was fatally shot on April 13, 2002 after completing a campaign speech for his fifth term as sheriff. Survived by mother, brother, sisters.

Deputy Elizabeth Magruder, 30 Landover, MD was fatally shot when attempting to serve a mental health warrant. Suspect hid in a bedroom and opened fire when confronted.

Federal Software Package Sucks
A new required federal software program, to track foreign students is laughable.....read the whole story here in the Corvallis-Gazette Times.

How pathetic...