Thanks to the Police and Military this July 4th!

~By Sharon Czerwien

A few months ago, my daughter and I were out running errands. While at a red light, we saw a multitude of police cars whizzing through one particular intersection. Minutes later, we were in line at a nearby restaurant’s drive-thru. We noticed even more police cars quickly going through another close intersection.

Honestly, I had never seen anything quite like it. I do not even know how to convey the following in the clearest of ways, but I will try:

Besides the amount of police cars involved, there was such an urgent speed and intensity at which each police car was moving. Besides such urgency, the police car engines were revving in ways I cannot recall ever hearing before. I can still picture the police cars so well in my head.

I kept telling my daughter that something BIG was taking place and how I would be checking my local news apps that evening!

It turns out that there had been an armed robbery at a gas station, and that the bad guy had later shot at police cars while driving.

Of course, this is a nightmare scenario for those officers' spouses, children, and parents. What made this event even tougher to think about, though, was that a shockingly similar story had taken place just weeks before in our same community. The end result of that event was the death of a police officer. (That was a heart-wrenching story that I had followed!)

I can only assume that the officers who were quickly whizzing through that intersection by the restaurant drive-through must have been thinking about the horrific set of events from just weeks prior.

That urgency existed because one of their own—and the community at large—was in danger. I wish I could exude to you what that selfless act looked like, as I watched each police car drive through the intersection that day. Those officers who were rushing to aid the other police officer (and to get that bad guy!) were selfless, pure and simple. So selfless!

I think of our military in the same positive light. They willingly and selflessly enter danger zones to help secure the safety and freedoms of our country. I cannot express strongly enough how grateful I am to those in our country (past, present, and future!) who have served—either in the military or law enforcement.

Because of these brave and selfless men and women, my family can enjoy this July 4, 2022!

A heart-felt thanks,

~Sharon