Courtesy Photos
May 15, 2023
Honors to law enforcement at Bandera County courthouse
24-hour vigil honors Peace Officers on National Peace Officers Memorial Day, May 15
By Susan Junker
Commander, American Legion Post 157
As the unserviceable flags were set afire, the Commander said, “These flags have become faded and worn over the graves of fallen law enforcement and peace officers… displayed over the homes of local citizens… a flag may be a flimsy bit of printed gauze or a beautiful banner of the finest silk. Its intrinsic value may be trifling or great, but its real value is beyond price, for it is a precious symbol of all that we and our comrades serving in Law Enforcement and as Peace Officers have worked for and lived for, and died for… a free nation of free men and women…”
The Bandera American Legion Post 157 hosted the second annual 24-hour vigil on the Bandera County courthouse steps, as the local honors for National Peace Officers Week and specifically the National Police Officers Memorial Day. Peace Officers Memorial Day is held on May 15 every year during Police Week. The day is a memorial to all peace officers who have been killed or disabled in the line of duty.
Veterans, local law enforcement, and citizens stood beside a small table covered in white and holding a long-stemmed red rose, a candle and a Bible. Each person volunteered to stand watch for at least an hour: some brought their families and spouses. Some veterans stood alone, reflecting on the service of peace officers and their own experiences in service. “There’s plenty to think about while standing in the middle of Bandera with nothing but the sound of an occasional dog barking. May is the month to honor and remember with not just today, but Memorial Day too,” Post 157 Chaplain Christopher Dion, a retired U.S. Air Force veteran, said.
Dion initiated and organized the event, and included the United States Flag Retirement ceremony this year to enhance the honors. The faded, torn, and unserviceable flags turned into the American Legion were retired and destroyed with respectful and honorable rites by fire.
Bandera American Legion Post 157 is grateful for all the participants and their dedication to honoring our Peace Officers. The Bible on the table was opened to John 15:13: “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.”
For more information on this event and more Memorials, please call 830-796-7528.
Additional photos are at http://www.al157tx.org/.
Everyone is invited to assist in placing flags at Veterans’ graves on May 24, meeting at the Bandera Cemetery and Oak Rest Cemetery at 9 a.m. Flags will be also be placed at St. Stanislaus and West Prong cemeteries.
The Bandera American Legion Post 157 hosted the second annual 24-hour vigil on the Bandera County courthouse steps, as the local honors for National Peace Officers Week and specifically the National Police Officers Memorial Day. Peace Officers Memorial Day is held on May 15 every year during Police Week. The day is a memorial to all peace officers who have been killed or disabled in the line of duty.
Veterans, local law enforcement, and citizens stood beside a small table covered in white and holding a long-stemmed red rose, a candle and a Bible. Each person volunteered to stand watch for at least an hour: some brought their families and spouses. Some veterans stood alone, reflecting on the service of peace officers and their own experiences in service. “There’s plenty to think about while standing in the middle of Bandera with nothing but the sound of an occasional dog barking. May is the month to honor and remember with not just today, but Memorial Day too,” Post 157 Chaplain Christopher Dion, a retired U.S. Air Force veteran, said.
Dion initiated and organized the event, and included the United States Flag Retirement ceremony this year to enhance the honors. The faded, torn, and unserviceable flags turned into the American Legion were retired and destroyed with respectful and honorable rites by fire.
Bandera American Legion Post 157 is grateful for all the participants and their dedication to honoring our Peace Officers. The Bible on the table was opened to John 15:13: “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.”
For more information on this event and more Memorials, please call 830-796-7528.
Additional photos are at http://www.al157tx.org/.
Everyone is invited to assist in placing flags at Veterans’ graves on May 24, meeting at the Bandera Cemetery and Oak Rest Cemetery at 9 a.m. Flags will be also be placed at St. Stanislaus and West Prong cemeteries.