Medal of Honor Convention

This week the big city has the honor of hosting the Medal of Honor Convention.

The Medal of Honor is the nation's highest military award. To receive this medal, an individual must perform an act of personal bravery or self sacrifice, involving the risk of life, above and beyond the call of duty while engaged in a combat action.

There are currently only 95 living recipients of this award that, as written by Peter Collier, is earned only through acts of incredible bravery "at the intersection of happenstance and hell."

Today the big city copper had the honor of leading the motorcade escorting these living legends to the ceremonies being held in their honor.

The lead car, motorcycles, flanking cars, and tail cars surrounded the buses. They lit up the street but, with silent decorum, escorted them with full honors precision.

The fire department formed an archway with snorkels and ladders at the entrance to the park that the motorcade passed through. The escort halted at the Police Gold Star Memorial Park.

The path to the site of the Police Memorial Wall was lined with police officers on foot and on horseback. The Medal of Honor heroes, honored the police heroes by holding a ceremony at the memorial that lists the city's fallen officers.

The procession of old warriors continued on foot (some in wheelchairs) to a luncheon and more ceremonies inside the facility.

Following the finale, the men graciously signed books and chatted with all who approached them.

What a day! The air was rippling with patriotism. There were dozens of flags, there were even more soldiers, sailors, marines, and airmen all proudly displaying rows of ribbons on their uniforms. Each ribbon depicting an act of their own personal valor.

Every soldier, currently serving, or aging veteran, stood in awe of these simple men. Humble men who, through extraordinary acts of courage and sacrifice, earned the right to wear that star spangled blue ribbon and star around their necks.

Escorting these men was an honor.

Air and Water Show

Every summer, one of the big events of the season is the Air and Water show. Thousands of people fill every empty space to be found any where near the lakefront where the show is held. They come out early in the morning and picnic all day. They look like they're really enjoying themselves too.

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For big city coppers though, it is a major pain. People, locals as well as tourists wander every where. They clutter the park, the streets, and the roads. Traffic is a nightmare.

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This year, the big city copper arrives at work and is handed a new assignment for the next two days event. Report to the boss early and dress comfortably. "What is up" the copper wonders aloud. "You are," says the el tee. "You aren't afraid of heights are you?" he continues, laughing.

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The assignment is a big one, er, tall one. Monitor and control the flow of traffic and provide an "eye in the sky" for the officers on the ground. "Cool, I get to ride in the police chopper." thinks the officer. WRONG.

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For the next two days the officer is standing on the roof of a fifty story building with a spotting scope, binoculars, and a radio. The wind up that high, approximately 500 feet up, gusts strongly. He notices, "holy crap, this is kinda scary!"

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There's no time to be chicken though, the boss on the ground wants to know where the problems are. It's getting busy in a hurry. Cabbies are dropping off passengers right on the roadway that hugs the lakefront. They are unwilling to wait for the exit ramp to clear and are walking along the shoulder. An ice cream truck has pulled over on that shoulder and is doing a brisk business. Pedestrians are trying to cross the eight lane road instead of using the overpass or tunnel. Calling out the problem areas, the "eye in the sky" begins to direct the ground officers to the exact locations where they are needed. Exit ramps are opened and closed as necessary. Controlling the flow at intersections as far as a half mile from the gridlocked ramps eases the congestion. It is amazing, This is working great. The copper is having fun.

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The show starts. Watching the air show from eye level is great. The USAF jets come roaring by just overhead. "WHOOOEEE" shouts the copper. He could see the sharks teeth painted on the nose of a deadly looking warplane as it soars past. The building is aligned with the brightly painted boat being used as a guide point for the jets, explains the official USAF photographer that has joined the copper on the roof. Every airplane in the show passes close by at one point or another.

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The normally dreaded annual event has turned into yet another fantastic adventure.

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Being a big city copper is the best job in the world. Except maybe, for those guys cruising around in their multi million dollar war jets.