Back in Texas - Not Where I Belong

Written on July 1, 2009 after returning from the 3rd summer vacation to Montana

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Well, 12 days and 4,885 miles later, we're finally home after a wonderfully fabulous vacation to the home of my heart--God's Country--the great State of Montana. This was our 3rd year and by far the most memorable.


It started with a quick shift to our itinerary when I suddenly found myself with the opportunity to travel through Denver to meet and visit with Deputy Chris Dewey's wife, Emily, and her sister, Hannah Bergman. It was truly an honor and a privilege to be able to meet these two women I've been "talking" to for quite some time on Chris' CaringBridge site and I thank them both for taking the time to see me. It was an experience I will forever treasure. I also had an opportunity while I was there to present them with some special hats. If you don't already know the story behind these and are interested, send me an email and I will explain. (Thank you to my son, Doug, for making the hats happen on time.)

There were many memorable moments on this trip. Although we have mainly stayed in the Bozeman to West Yellowstone area in the past, this trip was to have an additional purpose. This year a trip up to the Kalispell/Whitefish area was planned from the start with one goal--to find and visit the roadside cross that marked the location of the accident that eventually took the life of a Montana Highway Patrol officer - Trooper Mike Haynes. It was a very emotional moment for me to stand at that white cross that bears the MHP patch, adorned with flowers and a U.S. flag. I never met Trooper Haynes, but his loss affected my life in ways I cannot fully explain. His tragic death became the catalyst for me to wake up, speak up, and speak out. It marked the starting point of my involvement in trying to promote not only public awareness of the officers we are losing, but also recognition and understanding of what they face each day for so little reward and a lack of respect from an, at best, apathetic and, at worst, hostile public in general. Rest in peace, Trooper Haynes. You gave me a voice. I thank you for that and I thank you for your service. You will never be forgotten.

Another of many emotional moments came when I visited the Missoula Law Enforcement Memorial. I certainly did not expect for this experience to make me cry, but it did. I made the pictures I wanted to make when we first got there, and then I sat down on the bench and read the names. I could have sworn that heard the roll call being read aloud as my eyes passed over each name and the date of each ones death.

Another memorable event came about when I learned there was to be a Public Safety Day event held in Kalispell during our time there. This introverted (in person) woman did visit to show my support and even managed to speak to a few of the officers there. It was a privilege to attend and very uplifting to see the numer of parents attending with their children.

And I must thank a Deputy Sheriff friend on PoliceLink who wisely advised me to get off of the Interstates and main highways. His suggestions of some alternate routes provided us with views of the most magnificent scenery that I have ever seen in my life, including the one below from Seeley Swan Valley. Thank you "K". I'll never forget what I saw and I've learned my lesson. "Get out of the tourist traps and see the real Montana." Thank you, sir.

And last, but most definitely not least, was a visit to Great Falls specifically to meet and visit with David Sherman of KRTV. Not only did Dave put me at ease right from the first second, but I also got the promised tour of the station, met several of the other staff members, and had a most enjoyable conversation with him during the visit. At this point in the trip, I was pretty sure I had managed to meet and greet just about all of the strangers I could handle for a while and almost chickened out on going. I am so very glad I didn't. That visit turned out to be one of the high points of the entire trip and I thank you, Dave, for making me feel welcome and at home. And if I failed to mention it while I was there, thank you for your past service to our country and I'm glad you found your home in Montana.

So...now I'm back home and I must say thank you to John Pasko and my fellow admins on the ~A Tribute To Those Who Wear The Shield~ cause for so dilligently picking up the slack for me while I was away. And an extra special thank you to John for his steadfast faith in me and his always needed and readily available encourgagement. Thank you, my brother.

Montana--don't go anywhere. I'll be back.