Remembered. Respected. Honored.

As a volunteer pastor for my local police department, I sometimes have the honor of officiating  a brief wreath presentation ceremony on the anniversary of the EOW for officers who gave their life in the line of duty in our city.  I would like to share  with you my brief tribute to Officer Gary Harl on this 46th anniversary of his End Of Watch. I hope this is also an encouragement for ALL officers that service and sacrifice will always be remembered.
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Thank you for being here today. I am privileged to stand here with you as we remember the life and service of Gary Harl whose End of Watch was 46 years ago today (July 16, 1975).
 
This date marks the remembrance of Gary’s EOW. Gary didn’t choose for this date to be remembered, but he did choose the life of service that makes the name Gary Harl worthy of being remembered, respected and honored. 
 
Remembered
   A hero is always remembered. People are remembered by those who loved them when hey are gone, but when one gives their life in service...they are remembered even by those they never met. 
   Gary is remembered by his Blue family here today who never had the opportunity to serve with him.
   Gary is remembered by citizens of Arlington who have  attended a ceremony or read the memorial at Hero’s Park. 
   The name Gary  Harl is read and remembered by every cadet going through the academy. A hero who gave his life in service.
   APD Academy Class 35 wrote these words on Gary’s Officer Down Memorial Page: As we learn and prepare to serve this great city, may we always remember the trails you blazed and the sacrifice you made. Thank you, Sir.
 
Respected
   A hero is always respected. People can, and do, say a lot of things. Make a lot claims. Hope to make a lasting impact. But when the saying, claiming, and hoping leads to action, that’s when the lives of others are touched and you make an impact. That’s what Gary did by choosing a life of service to our City. It is his service and his sacrifice that we will always remember and respect.
   Again from ODM, a mother whose son was also an officer who lost his life in the line of duty wrote: Time never diminishes respect. Your memory will always be honored and revered. 

Honored
   A hero is always honored because of the inspiration their actions leave for others. A corporal from the Panama City Police Dept. wrote this on Gary’s page several years ago:
   I found Officer Harl’s memorial today. He left this world the day I was brought into it. I can’t say that I could ever take his place, but I will continue to help hold the line down here while he watches us from above. May God bless the spirit of Officer Harl, and may He continue to offer comfort to the family and friends who feel his loss every day. Though the decades have passed, you are not forgotten. ‘Heroes live forever.’
 
So on this solemn day Sue, we want you to know Gary will always be remembered.
   Gary will always be respected for the life he lived, for his service, commitment and sacrifice for our City.
  And Gary's memory will always be honored as a hero who inspires those who follow in his footsteps.
   Remembered. Respected. Honored.
  
MOMENT OF SILENCE / PRESENTATION OF THE WREATH
 
PRAYER
O Lord, our Great Comforter, the ultimate example has been shown to us through the work and ministry of Your Son, Jesus. Yet, in daily life, You raise civil servants who also lay down their lives for the protection of others. We thank You, Lord, for heroes such as Gary who showed us what it looks like to serve and live a life dedicated to others. Help us, like Gary, to live our lives dedicated to serving others so that our lives will also be worthy of being remembered, respected, and honored. 
 
BLESSING
May the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you today. Amen