The tears came freely and often today as I was surrounded by 20,000 others at the Oracle Arena as we gathered to remember four Oakland Police Officers killed in a senseless tragedy last week. It reminded me of the worst and the best of our culture. The worst - that four lives had been taken from us, fathers gone from their kids lives, husbands not coming home at diner time anymore. It reminded me once again about the fallen nature of man and what people can be capable of.
Yet as I looked into the eyes of Law Enforcement personal from all over the country I was reminded of the best of our culture. They talked of principles of honor, integrity, service to others, sacrifice. They talked of loss and grief and moving forward, but , mostly they talked by simply being there. They came from all over- Fresno, LA, Canada, New York - from large and small departments. They came and they came until close to 20,000 filled the arena. They came because it is their culture to do so - they came to demonstrate the value of family and standing together. They came to say to the widows and fatherless that their loss was not in vain. They came to remind those of us privileged to stand with them that age old concepts of honor, integrity, service and sacrifice are not history lessons but life lessons etched on their diverse faces and woven through the very fabric of their uniforms.
It was an honor to be with them today
Yet as I looked into the eyes of Law Enforcement personal from all over the country I was reminded of the best of our culture. They talked of principles of honor, integrity, service to others, sacrifice. They talked of loss and grief and moving forward, but , mostly they talked by simply being there. They came from all over- Fresno, LA, Canada, New York - from large and small departments. They came and they came until close to 20,000 filled the arena. They came because it is their culture to do so - they came to demonstrate the value of family and standing together. They came to say to the widows and fatherless that their loss was not in vain. They came to remind those of us privileged to stand with them that age old concepts of honor, integrity, service and sacrifice are not history lessons but life lessons etched on their diverse faces and woven through the very fabric of their uniforms.
It was an honor to be with them today
