On Friday, May 16th, the New York State Police “F-Squad” held a memorial event for fallen soldiers in Middletown, New York. Various law enforcement agencies, police department members, community residents, and the families of the fallen officers attended the event. The local non-profit religious organization, Dragon Spring Temple, provided free food in support of the event, earning praise from the state police officers.
The event began with a welcome speech by F-Squad Commander Mayor Andre R. Terry, followed by the singing of the national anthem. After a prayer from a pastor, Captain Terry called out the names of all the fallen New York State Police officers from the F-Squad to show respect and honor for their sacrifice. This was followed by a performance by the mounted police, color guard, and current and retired state police officers.
Orange County Executive Steve Neuhaus told NTD that he attends this event every year and commended the law enforcement officers as “one of the top law enforcement agencies in New York State.”
“For many years, people have sacrificed while working, so this is a tribute to them and their families, showing that they will always be remembered,” said Neuhaus.
Community member Keeley Hedberg expressed her honor to sing the national anthem and pay tribute to the fallen officers at the event. She said, “They made the ultimate sacrifice, and this is just a small contribution I can make to express my gratitude towards them.”
Orange County Sheriff Paul Arteta stated that this event has been impactful for many years and remains significant today. He emphasized the importance of the ceremony honoring the departed members.
Following the ceremony, state police officers and community members engaged in social activities where they enjoyed delicious Chinese dishes provided by Dragon Spring Temple. The officers expressed their gratitude towards the temple for the support.
“I am very grateful for Dragon Spring Temple’s support for this event; I truly appreciate it,” said New York State Police Chief Brendan Hoolan. “It’s great when the community steps up to support us, sincerely thankful, we will savor it.”
Sheriff Paul Arteta mentioned, “I decided to try some of these Chinese dishes; I love Chinese cuisine.”
Tuxedo Park Police Chief Allen Faust extended a warm welcome to the community and organizations, saying, “Welcome to the event, thank you very much!”
Due to Dragon Spring Temple actively participating in community activities over the years, they have become increasingly popular among local governments and residents.