Sharpening Your Knowledge: National Police Week

Sharpening Your Knowledge: National Police Week

Protectors. They keep our loved ones from harm. They maintain order. They promote the common good. Hello there Pencils.com readers. No, this week I am not talking about pencil protectors. I’m talking about the real protectors in our lives. Yes, I am talking about the law enforcement officers that put their lives on the line every day to ensure that we are safe and order is upheld. Since this week is recognized as National Police Week, the Pencil Pushers at Pencils.com would like to acknowledge the men and women of law enforcement and everything they do for us while giving you, the reader, a bit of background information on National Police Week.

National Police Week started in 1962, when President Kennedy declared May 15 National Peace Officer Day and the week from the 15th to the 21st National Police Week. From then on, National Police Week was recognized as the week (Sunday through Saturday) in which May 15 falls. This year, the 49th anniversary of National Police Week falls on the exact same calendar days as it did in 1962, making it a fitting time to not only recognize the men and women of law enforcement, but to recognize Police Week and all that it has become.

In 1982, a group of 120 supporters and survivors of law enforcement gathered in Washington D.C. to show their support for National Police Week and hold a memorial service for all of the law enforcement officers that had lost their lives in the line of duty. Today, some 29 years later, Washington D.C. has become a hub of sorts for police officers that want to show their support for National Police Week. Every year, between 25,000 and 40,000 attendees flock to Washington D.C. to participate in the National Police Week Candlelight Vigil, run in the National Police Week 5k and show their support for police officers around the country.
So, even if you can’t make it out to Washington D.C. to show your support, even if you don’t know any police officers that you can thank personally, just take a small amount of time this week to recognize the efforts of the men and women of law enforcement around the country. Let them inspire your writing, drawing, composing, or whatever creative outlet you favor.

About National Police Week – http://www.policeweek.org/