PHILADELPHIA SUPPORTS OUR POLICE RALLY
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PHILADELPHIA SUPPORTS OUR POLICE RALLY |
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GOD BLESS AMERICA Writen by Irving Berlin, Performed by Kate Smith
CHUCK CASSIDY - STEVE LICZBINSKI - ISABEL NAZARIO -
PAT McDONALD - GARY SKERSKI
By all accounts, the Philadelphia
Supports Our Police Rally was an overwhelming success; crowd estimates were somewhere between 700 - 1000 people. Even though
the initial location of the rally was supposed to be Love Park, all agreed that Sister Cities Plaza was a more appropriate
location. This was the place where all of the Honor Guards formed for the last four Police Funerals, directly across
the street from the Cathedral of SS Peter and Paul. Former City Controller Jonathan
Saidel served as the Master of Ceremonies and did an outstanding job. The rally began with Monsignor Hugh Shields from the
Archdiocese of Philadelphia offering the Invocation. Twelve year old Tyler Bowdren from the Alexander Adaire School led the
Pledge of Allegiance. Congressmen Bob Brady and Pat Murphy,
both sons of Philadelphia Police Officers, addressed the crowd. Police Commissioner Charles Ramsey attended the rally but
had to leave before being able to address the rally; Deputy Police Commissioner Pat Fox - Giorgio did the honors in the Commissioner's
stead. Fraternal Order of Police President John McNesby also attended but was called back to the Lodge to address a legislative
matter; Vice President Jim Wheeler addressed the rally. Jennifer Dempsey Fox, Director
of the Brave Spirit Foundation told the rally about Philadelphia Blue Day, which will be held on October 28th. This is a citywide
fund-raising event to benefit the Police Survivors Fund.  Mayor Michael Nutter came from
a Fallen Firefighter plaque dedication and was the last dignitary to address the rally. Rally Organizer Phil Bowdren gave
the closing remarks. Following a Moment of Silence the Philadelphia Police & Fire Pipes & Drums played Amazing Grace.
Father Francis Groarke, Pastor of Holy Name of Jesus Church gave the Final Blessing. A number of city and state dignitaries
attended the Rally, including State Representative John Taylor, and City Council Members Bill Greenlee, Frank Rizzo and Jannie
Blackwell. Philadelphia's Labor Unions were also well represented, including Teamsters Local 107 Vice President Dan Bosak
and Electricians Local 98 Business Manager John Dougherty. A number of local, state and federal
Law Enforcement Organizations and Agencies were also represented. Santo Montecalvo, Vice President of the Citizens Crime Commission
of the Delaware Valley was in attendance. It should be noted that the Citizens Crime Commission went above and beyond trying
to spread the word of the rally to Philadelphia's news media. Besides FOP Lodge 5, the Presidents of the State Investigative
Officers lodge and the Philadelphia Housing Police lodge were in attendance. Philadelphia's Veterans Community
was well represented by Philadelphia Veterans Multi-Service & Education Center Executive Officer Ed Lowry and a number
of Center's staff, and by a large contingent of the Patriot Guard Riders of Southeastern Pennsylvania, whose members flanked
the stage with American flags. Thanks is owed to Philadelphia's
neighborhood newspapers, who did all they could to help promote the rally, and special thanks goes to the people of 93.3 WMMR
radio, especially the crew of the Preston and Steve Show, who talked up the rally the 3 days leading up to the rally, and
for advertising the rally on their website. The rally was honored by the presence
of the families of slain Police Officer Charles Cassidy, Sergeant Stephen Liczbinski, Police Officer Isabel Nazario and Sergeant
Patrick McDonald. Permanently disabled Police Officer John Marynowitz and his family were also in attendance. RALLY
PHOTOS |
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 MASTER OF CEREMONIES JONATHAN SAIDEL  MONSIGNOR HUGH SHIELDS GIVING INVOCATION  CONGRESSMAN PAT MURPHY DELIVERING REMARKS  JUST A FEW OF THE RALLY'S 1,000 PARTICIPANTS  JENNIFER DEMPSEY FOX - BRAVE SPIRITS FOUNDATION  PATRIOT GUARD RIDERS COLOR GUARD  PHILADELPHIA POLICE & FIRE PIPES & DRUMS |
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 12 YEAR OLD TYLER BOWDREN LEADS PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE  CONGRESSMAN BOB BRADY WAITING TO SPEAK  DEPUTY POLICE COMMISSIONER PAT FOX-GIORGIO  F.O.P. VICE PRESIDENT JIM WHEELER ADDRESSING RALLY  RALLY ORGANIZER PHIL BOWDREN  PHILADELPHIA MAYOR MICHAEL NUTTER  "AMAZING GRACE" |
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PEOPLE HAVE VISITED THIS WEBSITE...
Sign Our Guestbook Read Our Guestbook
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