| Yesterday, July 13, marked 2 months since the Police Unity Tour Members greeted and escorted survivors of our fallen officers from the COPS buses to their seats at the 2011 Candlelight Vigil. Over 25,000 people joined those survivors to honor those that have made the ultimate scarifice from the current year and those now found, but never forgotten. The over whelming sentiment each May is that we would ride a Tour to arrive at the NLEOM to celebrate the first year in law enforcement history where NO new names would be etched into the hollowed walls. 2012 will not be that year because as of today 102 have been lost in the line of duty, 15% more than this same time last year. The mission of the PUT is "We Ride For Those Who Died". I challenge each and every prospective member for the 2012 Tour to uphold that Mission, bring yourself to ask for your community, agency and family for the support necessary to ensure that every survivor will have a pl ace or respite to find relief from their pain and anguish and that the Fallen will be forever remembered. I will see each of you in Portsmouth on May 9, 2012 to make the journey to the NLEOM on this most honorable of Missions. "It is not how these men and women died that make them hereos, it is how they lived" |
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Hugh Miller, Tampa Police Department (Ret)
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07/14/2011 |
| 2011 is my first year participating. I have never personally known an officer who has lost his or her life in the line of duty. I do however consider all law enforcement, brothers and sisters united by the bonds of our profession. With the great honor of our duties as police officers comes sacrifice, sometimes the greatest sacrifice. I am honored to ride for my fallen brothers and sisters. |
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Mike Long XUPD
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05/01/2011 |
| I have been a member for the last four years and I am PROUD to be part of such a fantastic organization. As Hugh as stated I have made friends through this ride (both riders and family members of the officers I honored) that will be life long friends. While I could not ride this year I will be with each of you in spirit. I wish you all a safe ride and look forward to riding with you again next year. Get ready to open your eyes and heart to the most moving experience you will come across as a LEO. |
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Art Waskey Hernando County Sheriff's Office
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04/19/2011 |
| Welcome to the Police Unity Tour 2011. As a charter member of Chapter VIII, this will be my 8th Tour, my first in the retired category. Many are the reasons for undertaking this challenge - support of the NLEOMF, honoring a fallen comrade, finding hope and respite as a survivor or supporting others on this journey. I will guarantee you an experience like you have never had before. From the send-off in Portsmouth to the final spoken names at the Candlelight Vigil, you will make new friends, share experiences and make an indescribable difference to those survivors who are seeking reassurance that their loved ones have not made the ultumate sacrifice in vain. See you on May 9th in Portsmouth. |
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Hugh Miller, Tampa Police Department (Retired)
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01/17/2011 |
| Thanks to all for the extremely moving experience on my first (and certainly not last) Tour in 2010. Everyone did an absolutely phenomenal job. The friendships we made, the survivors we met, the memories we now have will last for a lifetime. I'm already booking my plane tickets for the 2011 tour. Looking forward to seeing everyone again. Stay safe! |
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Meredith Elrich, Hollywood PD
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07/31/2010 |
| Looking forward to a great 2011 tour. Start training and fund raising early. |
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Andy Raphael, Hallandale Beach PD
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07/23/2010 |
As the President of Chapter VIII of the Police Unity Tour, I welcome you to our Reflections Page. We have developed this page so that all can share on their experience as either a member, survivor, or friend of the Police Unity Tour. As a founding member of Chapter VIII, I can promise you that your involvement with this amazing organization will forever change your life. Please feel free to share your thoughts and memories as the PUT has touched you. We look forward to another great year and hope that you will be joining us for the 2011 ride.
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John Leonard, Coconut Creek PD, Chapter VIII President
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07/22/2010
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