I met up with 4 of my 44 Precinct brothers early this morning for the trip to PO Ramos funeral. We parked about 25 blocks away and walked in. As we walked closer to the church, we were joined by more and more officers. We saw every shade of blue. Blue from San Jose, California. Blue from Seattle, Washington. Blue from Albuquerque, New Mexico. Blue from Austin, Texas. Blue from New Orleans, Chicago, Detroit, Miami, Bangor, Cleveland, Hartford, Redding and just about every other city you could imagine. Police Officers, Firefighters, Sailors, Marines, Soldiers and Airmen. All along Myrtle Avenue, the residents had decorated the trees and fences with blue ribbons. Children stood on stoops holding signs that said they loved us. Apparently, their parents did not teach them to fear us. The pavement was marked in chalk with I love the NYPD. As we got closer the ranks swelled. What first appeared to be 10 thousand quickly appeared to be 20. By the time the Service started there was surely 30. A female police officer sang the national anthem. She was amazing. I stood there silently amongst my brothers and sisters, hand over heart. The politicians spoke first and each for too long. They took pompous turns telling us how brave we were, how professional we were and what we symbolized to the lawless and how much they appreciated us and what we do every day. The Vice President first. Then the Governor and then the Man the Myth the Mayor. Many officers did about faces and turned their backs. Many did not. Nonetheless, All platitudes. All hypocrisy. All meaningless. From 3 men who could never do what we do. 3 men that rely on men and women like us to protect them and their families. A male police officer sang Amazing Grace. It was AMAZING. An arrangement of which I had never heard before. Uplifting and sincere. Stunning actually. Applauded by 30 thousand as we stood outside listening to the loudspeakers. Then the pastor spoke beautifully about PO Ramos and what he meant to his family, his brothers and his city. It was meaningful and we took comfort in his words. We held hands and prayed. 30 thousand cops holding hands. A great chain of passion, courage and honor. Then the flyover. About 10 helicopters in close formation. Deafening. Powerful. Awe inspiring. The sound of the copters moved off and faded. Silence. Absolute silence. The procession from the church began. Then, in a few minutes the order was relayed PREEEESENT ARMS! 30 thousand salutes snapped at the same instant. We held our salutes until PO Ramos was placed in the hearse. Then the command, OOORDER ARMS! 30 thousand hands snapped back to their sides in unison. It sounded like the flutter of 30 thousand wings. Then more silence. Reflection. Peace. We turn and we shake hands and hug each other. We thank our brothers and sisters for coming from such long distances to honor one of ours. We walk back toward the car, past the blue ribbons and the chalk marked sidewalks. 30 thousand becomes 20 and then 10 and then the 5 of us are in the car again. It is as if a huge blue wave has subsided. I think of Officer Ramos and his family. I think of his two sons. That could have been my two sons. Thank you God for sparing me. For seeing me through. For the 4 men in this car who had my back 30 years ago and still have it today. I know my brothers they will come for me, The mayor only shows up for the photo, opportunity ...
Posted on: Sun, 28 Dec 2014 00:25:41 +0000