- November 23, 2024
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“They didn’t run from the fear; they ran to it.” These words of courage from Bill Gallagher describe the five men—Dallas Police officers—who lost their lives in the line of duty this past week. To show their support, members of the Palm Coast Elks Lodge No. 2709, along with hundreds of local residents, held a candlelight vigil to honor those men Thursday, July 14, at the 9/11 memorial monument, located in front of the Lodge.
“Many of our members are first responders—retired policemen and firefighters,” said Mark Fontana, the Lodge’s Publicity Chairman. “I believe respect for our first responders the utmost importance. And we wanted to bring together to mourn. That’s what you do to build community.”
Officers Brent Thompson, Patrick Zamarripa, Michael Krol, Michael Smith and Lorne Ahrens were murdered by a sniper during a march to protest the fatal shootings of black men in Minnesota and Louisiana by police.
“That was a terrible thing; I just don’t understand it,” said Gallagher, president of the Flagler County Blue Knights. “The only solace the cops have is that they know these five guys were murdered by a man who had no guts. They were going to protect people that may not have liked them, but they didn’t care about that. That shows you a real cop’s heart.”
Memorial services have been held all around the country since the attack, as a means to unite communities.
“I’m just very sad and brokenhearted by the whole thing,” said Diane Gleissner, the past president of Ladies Auxiliary and wife of Fred, a former firefighter. “I believe we’re all one. I don’t want anybody to be left behind.”
It is apparent that this country is suffering from racial tensions, and no resolution seems to be in sight. Gleissner voiced her concerns over the matter, saying, “We need to find solutions, big time,” I don’t know what they are, but I’d love to just go into neighborhoods and squeeze people up and say, ‘Let’s fix this.’ We need people with really good ideas to do that, and I’m praying we get that.”
To see more photos click here: http://www.palmcoastobserver.com/photo-gallery/photo-gallery-palm-coast-holds-dallas-police-vigil
Le's help her accomplish this: “We need to find solutions, big time… I’d love to just go into neighborhoods and squeeze people up and say, ‘Let’s fix this.’”
DIANE GLEISSNER, past president of Ladies Auxiliary
