Awakening needed:



As members of this www.AmericanPoliceVeterans.org and a lot of us being disabled, we need to help each other and ourselves by contacting our legislators. And to keep contacting them, even though they acknowledge our previous contact.

With numbers we can be strong, and numbers elect. As we know from our recent elections, every vote does indeed matter!!

Perhaps, somehow we could create a list of the elected members of congress, etc. that are pro law enforcement, and those that for what ever reason, are not so pro law enforcement.

From my own experience, I have seen some changes start to take place, for instance the new phase for the Law enforcement memorial day. To the best that I can remember, this last year was the first that the disabled officers were also mentioned in the heading for the day.

Now, that is a start. Finally from all the efforts of those including myself, whom have been pushing the legislators for more recognition for the disabled law enforcement officers.The efforts are obvious!

Another area that needs attention is that new additions for the disabled officers benefits should all include every living disabled officer. To me it only makes sense, just because an officer was disabled, say, back in the 70's or what ever year, the new benefits should also include them.

I once had an attorney relate to my line of duty injury as " well, it just comes with the territory". That may be true, but also decent benefits for all of our line of duty injuries should also come with the territory!

In regards to the first line of defense, the Law Enforcement is indeed the first line of defense on our soil. We have been since the conception of the job. And this is not to take away from those whom have either died or became disabled protecting our country and our countries interests in other countries around the world. After all it seems that a lot of the military personnel are also our fellow law enforcement officers. That is just the way that we are made. So, weather we are disabled in the military or serving our country as Law Enforcement Officers, if we become disabled, we should be entitled to the very best benefits for us and our families. We deserve no less.

Chip Holk

Write your Representatives