2012 POLICE MEMORIAL DAY AND FAMILIES OF THE SHIELD!

Marion Pellicano-Ambrose

Police agencies all over the US will be remembering, honoring and mourning their fallen comrades this week. May 13- 19, 2012 is National Police Memorial Week.

Yesterday, official Police Memorial Day, a beautiful red, white and blue wreath was placed in front of a memorial bench in the artium of the Melbourne Police Department. Officers, staff and others paid their respects to my late husband, Joseph S. Pellicano, one of their own. But the day was about more than mourning. It was about celebrating the lives of all those Police Officers who put their lives on the line each and every day. I was fortunate enough to spend the morning having breakfast with a police officer who should be the "poster cop" of what a law enforcement officer should be about. This man lives,eats, sleeps and breathes service to others. He is Vice President of the American Police Hall of Fame, a member of The Blue Knights, Space Coast Police, and the CEO and Founder of Families of Shield. His name is John Pasko.

John started Families of the Shield, Inc, a 501 (c) (3) charitable organization, to assist the families of officers killed in the line of duty. The organization aslo provides emotional and financial support to any First Responders in the area, who are in need. Here are just a few of the activities carried out by this organization:

*Christmas food and toy give away to 200 needy families.

*Designed and decorated the First Responder's Christmas tree at the Festival of Trees.
*Easter baskets for children in Hidden Harbor, Holmes Regional Medical Center Pediatric Unit, Underprivileged VPKs and other shelters.
*Assisted in organizing and running the memorial motorcycle ride and BBQ for fallen Brevard County Deputy Barbara Pill.

*Making and delivering 240 Police Memorial Day treat bags for all members of the Melbourne Police Department.

*Organizing free and discounted Family Movie Days (with movie, popcorn and soda for families of First Responders)
*Organizing and running Joseph S. Pellicano Memorial Golf Tournament (with Melbourne Police Foundation) to raise funds for the Joseph S. Pellicano Memorial Scholorship.
*Police Memorial Candelight Vigil on May 18th with American Police Hall of Fame (Motorcycle escourted ride from Palm Bay to the American Police Hall of Fame where a candelight service and tour of the American Police Hall of Fame takes place.

The organization is soon to be opening a storefront in the Melbourne Square Mall where they plan to present community programs for adults and children, sponsor fun events and reach out to the community. They are also in the process of planning a huge fundraiser. It will be The Golden Age of Hollywood at the First Responder's Gala and will be held on October 13, 2012 at the Hilton Rialto in Melbourne. The Central Florida Rat Pack will perform and there will amazing prizes at silent auction and raffle tables. The food will be superb and a specially created signature drink called "Shield of Honor" will be served. Funds raised will go to continuing the good work of the organiztion and to obtaining a much needed mobile command Center for the Melbourne Police Department, through the Melbourne Police Foundation.
This organization is what it all should be about. Helping, remembering, honoring, all those who place their lives on the line each and every day for us,and some of them making the ultimate sacrifice for our safety and well being. This includes Police, Fire,Medic, and Military personnell.
I encourage each and every one of you to do something to honor a first responder every day. Thank a veteran or active military person for their service, tell a police officer "stay safe", do something as simple as making sure you move to the right immediately when you hear a siren or see that flashing light. These things won't cost you a cent, but they can make a world of difference to a first responder.

If you would like more information on Families of the Shield, are interested in working with them on events, would like to make a donation, or would like to attend the Awesome Gala coming up in October, contact them at Familiesoftheshield.org or check them out at "John Pasko and Families of the Shield" on Facebook.

familiesoftheshield.org

BRING IT ON JOHN!

Marion Pellicano Ambrose

John Pasko has a way about him. He’s totally involved in many amazing causes and somehow, once you've met him - “poof” you’re on the board of this cause and assisting with that one! You don’t remember how it happened or when, all you know is that you’re working with wonderful people on awesome projects and you’re happy!

That’s how I became involved with the American Police Hall of Fame, and now, with Families of the Shield.

John invited me to some fabulous events, including a golf tournament to honor my late husband and raise money for a scholarship to the police academy. The organization he founded called “Families of the Shield” organizes many such events and helps countless numbers of people, not only police families, but all first responders and military families as well. The truth is, John and Families of the Shield reach out to anyone in need! (Bikers for Babies, 9-11 Remembrance Ride, Family Fun Day, Raising funds for children with serious illnesses. The list goes on.)

My latest adventure, thanks to John, was helping to plan, shop for materials, and decorate a 9 foot Christmas tree for the Families of the Shield at the Annual Festival of Trees at the Maxwell King Center for the Performing Arts in Melbourne. This annual fundraiser allows the Junior League of South Brevard, Inc. to continue improving our community through financial and volunteer commitments in Brevard County.  Our tree entitled “To Protect and Serve” had to be elegant, beautiful, but most importantly, meaningful. The lady who came up with the idea of participating in the festival was Wendy. She’s a little powerhouse of energy- Tiny but Mighty!  John paired the two of us up, gave us a budget and let us go.

We each had our own idea of what we wanted as a design for the tree before we even met to talk about it. Amazingly, our sketches, color scheme, even the design for a special St. Michael the Archangel star matched up! We shopped, wired, cut, hot glued, planned and downed coffee and muffins until the day of set up came.

With the help of one of Wendy’s tall friends, our dream tree came to life.

• Cobalt Blue and silver ornaments to represent all those who wear the shield and their families.

• Cobalt Blue ribbon  woven through the tree to represent that “Thin Blue Line”(The line separating society from anarchy, the line police are sworn to uphold.)
• 141 crystal angels represent the 141 police officers who died in the line of duty so far this year.
• A chain of crystal “tears” represents the connection of all who wear the shield and the tears spilled for those we've lost.
• A crystal 3D star with a decoupage of Saint Michael the Archangel tops the tree - the patron saint of police officers overlooking all.
• A blue and silver bow with ribbon flowing down the sides like the arms of God.

Beside the tree is a coat rack with an NYPD uniform jacket and hat hung on it and a little table with a silver framed document telling the meaning as explained here. It was truly a labor of love and helped forge a new friendship for me.

What does John have in mind next? It’s anyone’s guess, but I’m sure Wendy and I will be involved as well as the many other people who are privileged to be called “Families of the Shield”.It could be a rally, a fun day for kids, a fundraiser for someone in need, a parade or some kind of extravaganza, but whatever it is -BRING IT ON JOHN, WE'RE READY!

For more information on Families of the Shield, visit
https://www.facebook.com/pages/John-A-Pasko-Families-of-the-Shield-Inc/136474126389464#!/pages/John-A-Pasko-Families-of-the-Shield-Inc/136474126389464?sk=info

DEATH DIDN'T TAKE A VACATION

Marion Pellicano Ambrose

I just got back from a wonderful week in Chattanooga.  I was able to relax, swim, and enjoy the beautiful scenery , the great food and the company of good friends. I took a vacation. Unfortunately, I can’t say the same for death.

Since I developed my disease(MCTD) and became disabled a few years ago, I’ve tried to find things to do to be useful.  Thanks to my good friend, John Pasko of the Melbourne PD and The American Police Hall of Fame, I began writing the Line of Duty Death reports for the APHF web page.  Having lost my first husband in the line of duty, I find it a rewarding job. I make sure each officer that gives his life in the line of duty is remembered and honored by what I write.

The thing is, while I was away on vacation, the deaths just kept happening. I somehow didn’t expect to be so devastated and upset when I returned and saw that almost every single day that I was away, a police officer made the ultimate sacrifice - Died in the Line of Duty!

I don’t know why I was surprised, I’ve been doing this for months now and I know that in the United States  127 police officers were killed this year so far. That number is up 14% from last year, and last year it was up 37% from the year before!  Texas leads the country in Line of Duty Deaths for 2011. So far 13 officers have died. New York comes in second with 11 and Florida is third with 10 Line of Duty Deaths. This has become an epidemic! It's outrageous and totally unacceptable, but what can be done?

The Officers' Down Memorial Page is dedicated to honoring and remembering Police Officers from around the country who die in the line of duty. No Parole for Cop Killers is an ODMP initiative to ensure all cop killers serve their full sentences. They believe that the best way to deter criminals from killing police officers is to be sure they know they will receive NO PAROLE.  You can visit their page to see information on Line of Duty Deaths, statistics, information about resources, scholarships and more.

http://www.odmp.org/

What else can be done? Appreciate and validate the police officers in your area. Wave, give a friendly salute, recognize them as fellow human beings doing a dangerous and highly skilled job in protecting you and your loved ones. Remember that when you get pulled over for speeding or running a light. Act with respect and show that you asknowledge that they are putting their lives on the line each day for you and for me. Help when you can. Report suspicious behaviors, crimes and illegal activities you might see. Teach your children not to be afraid of a police officer. NEVER threaten a child with "The police will come and lock you up". Teach them to go to an officer if they are ever in trouble or need help.

Finally, support legislation that helps the police capture, prosecute and put criminals away. Support funding for more officers and better equipment. I'd even like to start a campaign to raise money for my police department to purchase bullet proof vests for the canines!

If we are to stop these line of duty deaths, cut down on crime and make our streets safer, we must act by using our voices and our votes to support our Police Departments!

"When a police officer is killed, it's not an agency that loses an officer, it's an entire nation."                   

                                                                    -Chris Cosgriff, ODMP Founder



http://www.familiesoftheshield.org/



DRL FRIEND JOHN PASKO ON HOOAH RADIO

Marion Pellicano Ambrose

John Pasko of the Melbourne Police Department (Author of Will You Remember Me?
http://delayedreactionlounge.blogspot.com/2011/05/will-you-remember-me.html ) will be interviewed tonight on Hooah Radio at 8PM. John is the founder and CEO of Families of the Shield , a member of The Blue Knights, and is an Administrator of the American Police Hall of Fame and Museum. Take if from DRL: You won't want to miss it!

Interview with John Pasko of the Melbourne, FL PD

Location: HOOAH!!!! Radio - http://www.hooahradio.com/

Time: ‎8:00PM Wednesday, June 29