Good morning!
What is it doing being the 16th of November already?!? I am somewhat eager for Christmas and decorating the house, but at the same time I feel like we just had Christmas. Anyone else share this feeling?
This week has been another crazy busy week. I wasn't running around doing things, but I spent most of the time in front of my computer. But I did get things done. I formatted, designed the cover and ordered my proof copy of Stories Through the Seasons which is a collection of all the monthly stories in one book. And I finished the cover for Christmas Quilts and got the proof copy ordered. I can't wait to see both books!!
Another thing that's been taking up my time is blog posts. You see, I'm trying to get all or almost all of my 24 Books before Christmas posts nearly ready for posting. And I have to get posts ready for next week because I'll be out of town Wednesday–Saturday. And the week after is the Christmas Duet Blog Tour so I have to get posts for then figured out too. I'll be glad when I get these posts finished and scheduled. Then maybe I won't have to be so computer bound.
I started reading my "first" Christmas book last evening. I made a list of all the books I need/want to read this season and was a little surprised to discover I had 47 books on the list!!! Yeah. At least some are short stories, and some are for younger readers. We'll see how many I can get through.
Today's post is the final installment from the Highway Patrol classes my dad and I took this fall. This week is graduation. I hope you learn a few new things, or at least enjoy this last report. Next week be prepared for a HUGE Indie book sale!
Highway Patrol
Graduation Night
October 11, 2018
Graduation night. Dad and I arrived at Mythos (a Greek restaurant in town) about the same time many others from class did. We were shown to the back room where Sgt. Lueckenhoff and a few other officers were. The tables had been arranged into a large U shape with the officers at the top left of the U. The room was rather dim, but at least it was quiet.
Once everyone had arrived, we were given the choice of two main dishes (steak or chicken) and two desserts (cheesecake or “death by chocolate”). Sgt. Lueckenhoff spoke a little and then we had a prayer. Greek salad was served first, and we all visited and some people shared stories. Since Dad and I were seated on the left middle, I could hear some of the conversation on the bottom of the U and some at the top.
After most of us had finished our main dish, Sgt. Lueckenhoff had Lt. Bearden (who taught the class on internet crimes) speak. Then a retired Captain of Troop D spoke as we were enjoying our dessert. (I had the “death by chocolate” as did a good portion of those present.) He talked about the “Masters.”
The Masters is an Emergency Relief Society created to help the families of fallen state troopers. It was formed in 1979 and is funded entirely by individuals and families across the state. Within hours after the death of a Highway Patrol officer someone will bring the family a check to cover immediate needs. Then, within two weeks, two members of the Masters Association board will go to the home of the fallen officer and talk with the immediate family (wife, husband, kids). They will take over any car payments, credit card debt, and mortgage payments. They also provide a monument for the trooper’s grave and funding for the family to travel to Washington D.C. to the Police Memorial. If there are still children in school, Masters provides funds and scholarships for each of the children until they have graduated.
“Each member of the Missouri State Highway Patrol can go out each day knowing that if something happens to them, their family will be taken care of. They won’t be left without help.”
No one currently serving in the HP department is allowed to be a member of Masters, but as soon as they retire, they can join. The only way to become a member of the Masters Association is to have a current member “sponsor” you.
“I would be willing to sponsor any of you in this room,” he told us. “I feel that each of you would take this responsibility seriously and would understand what our State Troopers face each day.”
Members of Masters receive a sticker to display on their car, but we were told that those stickers are not to be used to try and get out of a ticket, or as leverage for anything of that nature. “If you try to do that, your sticker can be taken off, and we have removed some people from membership for that reason.”
I think almost every member of the class had him sign the pledge card. There was a family membership, so he only signed one for Dad and I.
After that Sgt. Lueckenhoff had the current Captain of Troop D say a few words and then hand things out. Each class member received a framed picture with a small engraved plaque with our name, and an official patch from the Missouri State Highway Patrol. “We don’t give these patches out to just anyone,” Sgt. Lueckenhoff said. As Sgt. Lueckenhoff called a name, the person stood and shook hands with the captain while receiving their plaque and patch.
At the end Sgt. Lueckenhoff called in the owner of Mythos and presented him with a plaque of appreciation since the only fee he would accept for the use of the room and the dinner for all of us, was tips for the servers.
Finally we all went outside for a class photo.
The weeks went by so quickly, but I learned so many things. It was an experience that was well worth my time. If you ever have a chance to attend a Highway Patrol Community Alliance program, or something similar, I would highly recommend it.
Graduation night. Dad and I arrived at Mythos (a Greek restaurant in town) about the same time many others from class did. We were shown to the back room where Sgt. Lueckenhoff and a few other officers were. The tables had been arranged into a large U shape with the officers at the top left of the U. The room was rather dim, but at least it was quiet.
Once everyone had arrived, we were given the choice of two main dishes (steak or chicken) and two desserts (cheesecake or “death by chocolate”). Sgt. Lueckenhoff spoke a little and then we had a prayer. Greek salad was served first, and we all visited and some people shared stories. Since Dad and I were seated on the left middle, I could hear some of the conversation on the bottom of the U and some at the top.
After most of us had finished our main dish, Sgt. Lueckenhoff had Lt. Bearden (who taught the class on internet crimes) speak. Then a retired Captain of Troop D spoke as we were enjoying our dessert. (I had the “death by chocolate” as did a good portion of those present.) He talked about the “Masters.”
The Masters is an Emergency Relief Society created to help the families of fallen state troopers. It was formed in 1979 and is funded entirely by individuals and families across the state. Within hours after the death of a Highway Patrol officer someone will bring the family a check to cover immediate needs. Then, within two weeks, two members of the Masters Association board will go to the home of the fallen officer and talk with the immediate family (wife, husband, kids). They will take over any car payments, credit card debt, and mortgage payments. They also provide a monument for the trooper’s grave and funding for the family to travel to Washington D.C. to the Police Memorial. If there are still children in school, Masters provides funds and scholarships for each of the children until they have graduated.
“Each member of the Missouri State Highway Patrol can go out each day knowing that if something happens to them, their family will be taken care of. They won’t be left without help.”
No one currently serving in the HP department is allowed to be a member of Masters, but as soon as they retire, they can join. The only way to become a member of the Masters Association is to have a current member “sponsor” you.
“I would be willing to sponsor any of you in this room,” he told us. “I feel that each of you would take this responsibility seriously and would understand what our State Troopers face each day.”
Members of Masters receive a sticker to display on their car, but we were told that those stickers are not to be used to try and get out of a ticket, or as leverage for anything of that nature. “If you try to do that, your sticker can be taken off, and we have removed some people from membership for that reason.”
I think almost every member of the class had him sign the pledge card. There was a family membership, so he only signed one for Dad and I.After that Sgt. Lueckenhoff had the current Captain of Troop D say a few words and then hand things out. Each class member received a framed picture with a small engraved plaque with our name, and an official patch from the Missouri State Highway Patrol. “We don’t give these patches out to just anyone,” Sgt. Lueckenhoff said. As Sgt. Lueckenhoff called a name, the person stood and shook hands with the captain while receiving their plaque and patch.
At the end Sgt. Lueckenhoff called in the owner of Mythos and presented him with a plaque of appreciation since the only fee he would accept for the use of the room and the dinner for all of us, was tips for the servers.
Finally we all went outside for a class photo.
The weeks went by so quickly, but I learned so many things. It was an experience that was well worth my time. If you ever have a chance to attend a Highway Patrol Community Alliance program, or something similar, I would highly recommend it.
Are you ready for Thanksgiving and Christmas?
Did the mention of a HUGE sale make you excited?
How many Christmas books do you hope to read this year?
P.S. I'm joining a Literary Christmas reading challenge to help me get through all those books! Feel free to come join too. :) Just click on the image to the right and join up! It's going to be fun to see all the different Christmas books people read! Oh, wait! This is going to make my "to-read" list even longer in the Christmas department . . . Oh, well! Too late! *wink*
4 comments:
Those Highway Patrol classes sound amazing. I haven't heard of this in my area yet, but I'm always up for new experiences like that. I'm sure you learned so much.
Thanks for joining A Literary Christmas this year. Be sure to link up any and all of your Christmas book reviews/posts!
Blessings,
Tarissa
http://inthebookcase.blogspot.com
Thanks for coming by, Tarissa!
The classes were very informative and fun.
I'll be sure to link up my Christmas book reviews! :D
Hi, Rebekah! My list is only 5 books, although I'll be reading others that aren't Christmas-y. Enjoy reading!!
Five books is great! :) Thanks for stopping by!
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