We attended Trooper Kedras funeral on Monday. A solemn affair punctuated by humor by those who actually knew him to appreciate a good joke. There was military precision to the whole event with the State Police and Philadelphia police shining in their spit and polish uniforms and grim expressions. A large group of suburban officers, especially from Montgomery County, was there, set faced, as well. Tpr. Kedra is the first police officer since I began in Montgomery County 30 years ago who died in the line of duty that I didnt know personally. (I guess Im aging out, as it were.) So to me, Tpr. Kedra was more a symbol than a man while the service progressed. As with soldiers (indeed, Col. Noonan reminded the attendees that Troopers are Soldiers of the Law), I am always amazed that we have people in our community who actually volunteer to do this kind of work. Whether helping to free people, or to protect their freedom, our military and police carry out that duty and responsibility even at the risk of their lives. You cant help but feel sadness. Sadness for Tpr. Kedras family, sure. A sadness for his comrades, no question. But a deeper sadness for the public because a symbol of America, a guardian of freedom, has fallen. I became separated from my fellow commissioners as sometimes happens when a whole bunch of people try to funnel into limited space, though I saw Comms. Shapiro and Richards, our DA, Chief and Dep. Ch. County Detectives seated a little to my right, but hard to see from where I was. I ended up with Lt. Gov. Cawley, Congressman Meehan, Senator Greenleaf, Rep. Vereb and others. Meehan, Greenleaf and Vereb are all former lawmen, and Cawley, a former county commissioner, currently heads many law enforcement and emergency initiatives for the state (and he is very good at his job). I scanned their faces and saw reflected exactly my own thoughts. Admiration and sadness to be sure, but a certain pride too in the men and women who do this work. That give me hope for Pennsylvania and the United States. Because, you see, that pride is what we call patriotism. A concept under attack in some circles. This tragic event, to me, showed that patriotism still means much to the leaders of our county and our state, as a man who symbolized that very concept was shown the respect he and all he stood for deserved.
Posted on: Wed, 08 Oct 2014 12:18:58 +0000
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