I wrote this few words before 2001 Xmas I don't know if was more saddened than angry or the other way around, because I have always taken for granted them, to be there for me and never stopped to say thanks...no one of us did.
But isn't too late to let they know...
This few words are to Honor all the men and women of New York Police Department which on 9/11 came true to their motto of Protect and Serve, the fallen and the survivors.
Dedicated also, to NYPO William Bonilla, who I had promised not to mention donuts.
Sometimes you saw them in patrol cars with big numbers stencilled on the roof, and you could hear the crackle on the radio.
Even you learned that 10-4 was like OK, and others, mainly from all the cop’s TV series the call numbers for domestic disturbance, robbery in progress and many others.
You saw the blue uniforms and thought about parking your car in a hurry but not remembering if you did it in front of a fire hydrant.
Or when somebody did something to upset you and the cliché just ran out of your mouth “where is a cop when you need one!”
I will tell you.
Probably he was running up the stairs of the WTC trying to guide people to safety, or on the street below yelling at people to take cover but not taking cover themselves, when the world converted in confetti made of glass, stones and steel appeared to come down to a carnival invited by death.
In that combat zone the blue uniforms maybe make you think of soldiers, of combatants.
Yes, they wear a uniform like soldiers and they died like soldiers, but under those clothes was a father whose children hope to see today and tomorrow and on retirement day.
They are “paid” to “Serve and Protect”, to make your world safe, your street safe, your house safe without asking you to pass a law to make his world safe.
Cops aren’t a cab, which takes you from here to there, and because you are paying for the ride it entitles you to complain for the traffic, the fare and the hard seats.
You cannot expect that after “paying” the cop’s salary that they can take your world from this unsafe place to that safe one.
After “that” morning in September, many of those cop that you had take for granted, can’t be there tomorrow, that beat is empty now from the friendly face that you knew so well and expected to see smiling when passing by.
In the coffee shop of the corner, a yellowish mug (it started as a white one) after nearly twenty years of use, will remain empty, because the friendly Cop of that beat didn’t reach a safe place been busy trying to make other New Yorkers reach theirs.
Despite Hollywood always caricaturing of a Police Officer as munching donuts and coffee freeloader, the donuts and our coffee don’t taste the same without that friendly face, the waving hand or the nod from the patrol car.
By night, how many old people couldn’t sleep before hearing the friendly steps of the Cop doing his beat run, passing by under their windows, like a friendly hand tucking you in.
How many of those are having now, sleepless nights?
How many homeless got a cigarette or a kind word instead of a “keep moving” barked when trying to chase away the cold by sleeping away few hours of night in a card box with Sunday’s newspaper for heavy blanket.
New York…how I wish to see “my” Cop standing there giving me a ticket, I promise not to give any lip back.
Today I will not mind it at all, just to see him back “will have make my day”.
How many times you thought of saying thanks to the Cops on your neighbourhood but you never did, thinking of doing that tomorrow. Well, 9-11 was one of those tomorrows, and, sadly, you missed the opportunity.
Be good, to a survived Cop or to any Cop you chance to go by, just for the heck of it, make his day saying Thank You with a smile.
Georg, Thank you for this tribute to our friends that put their lives on the line everyday for us. I have a friend I have to say thanks to. He and his wife are dear friends I don't see enough of but still you are right. I need to thank him.
And all of those who died in the WTC are with God dining on plates of gold and drinking the finest of wines. They know we miss them and that we thank them for their sacrifice.
They will live forever, in hearts and minds and monuments!
Many huggss Georg,
Annie
I think some might see this atrocity as just a number of lives lost. All who lost their lives have family who miss them. They are not just a number.
Your tribute to the police is heart-warming. Yes, they try to make our towns a safer place, and sometimes get a bum wrap. Thank you for the reminder to "make his day saying Thank You with a smile."
Georg,
I know from personal experience losing my daughter's Matthew. Every time I saw his smile, it lit up his face. He smiled a lot, and working in our capital city, it was sometimes the only light some people saw in their darkened world. He was a hero, he was a man, but most of all he was always a beautiful soul under that uniform of blue. He is missed and loved everyday...Thank you for this beautiful tribute to our men in Blue, I have all the respect in the world for all police officers.
Peace, Love, and Light,
Amber "V"
You've penned a wonderful tribute to yet another type of Hero that far too many of us take for granted, every single day. I've known some excellent ones, and like our valiant soldiers, I truly believe that these heroes are grossly underpaid as well.
I'm not only gonna say thanks when I see the next one, I'm gonna buy him or her a cup of coffee, and a donut (well, maybe a piece of pie!)
Thank You Gerog,
For this wonderful tribute to The New York City Police Department
(New York's Finest)
and all Police Officers throughout our nation,
After 911 when people discovered
that I was a retired Police Officer,
they would refer to me as a hero, I in the other hand
Would reply "Thank You for the Comppliment"
A Hero I am not, for all Heroes,
I know, were left behind under the ashes
Of "GROUND ZERO"
Peace be with you Brother
Powerful tribute, Georg; God bless 'em! We do owe the police/fire/search-and-rescue/EMS a lot of respect! I try to thank them for a job well done whenever I see a policeman/woman, firefighter, or paramedic; I feel it is my duty as a citizen. Ever since 9-11, I've made it a point to do that; I still do. I also thank the service people, the veterans for their time.
(((HUGS))) and much love, your friend in Tx., Karen Lynn. :D
thoughts...a reminder in tribute...respect for those on the police force...on the scene...in the scene...and behind the scene. To
Serve and Protect...we owe them respect...
John
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Suspenseful and close to home, Rain of Deception 2 will leave you in Tears. Much like Part 1, this will shocking sequel will keep you on the edge of your fingertips.
This few words are to Honor all the men and women of New York Police Department which on 9/11 came true to their motto of Protect and Serve, the fallen and the survivors.
