Category Archives: Senior Living

Kentwood Seeks Volunteers in Police Service

Our Cities, Senior Living

janice_limbaughSince 1993, Kentwood volunteers have been making a difference in their community by dedicating a few hours every week to supporting police services. An open house was held Wednesday, November 13th for interested residents to learn more about the program. Since 2007, Leslie Montgomery has been the coordinator for the Volunteers in Police Service and says the program has grown from a few to a group of over 40.

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Leslie Montgomery talks with interested citizen. Photo WKTV

“It sounds like a lot, but we are always in recruiting mode,” she says. “We never know when our numbers may go down due to life circumstances. Plus, we have a lot of real estate to cover.”

Opportunities exist in areas such as, clerical, community road and trail patrol, and chaplain. Seasoned volunteers and police officers, including Police Chief Hillen, were at the open house to answer questions. Montgomery says interested volunteers have to be interviewed, pass a background check and attend training.

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Volunteers answer questions at open house. Photo WKTV

“When you volunteer for the Kentwood Police Department, you know you’re making a difference in the community,” she says. “You also make friends, and interact with and learn more about law enforcement. “

By patrolling areas that police officers may not have sufficient time to cover, volunteers fill the gap in public safety. From checking handicapped parking stickers, to cruising walking trails for debris, these primarily senior volunteers take their job seriously but with a lot of room for fun and camaraderie.

“Oh yes, we have to add fun to it – it keeps us coming back” smiles Richard, who is a 32 year veteran of the Kent County Police Department and a 4 year VIPS. He and his partner patrol the area around Woodland Mall for parking enforcement. He says he enjoys doing what he has known for most of his career, but without all the stress.

“You know back on the force, there were some days I’d wonder if I’d ever make it back home. This is nothing like that!”

Montgomery stresses that although the open house has come and gone, they will always take volunteers. If you’re interested in becoming a volunteer in police service, contact Leslie Montgomery at 616-656-6571 or email her at montgomery@ci.kentwood.mi.us.

Pause to Remember and Honor

Local Faces, Our Cities, Senior Living, , , , ,
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A marine, a father, a veteran – Dick in Korea.

Your Soldier

by Susan Lamos When you hear the word soldier does it bring a vision to your mind? Do you have someone you call, “my soldier?” It might be your grandfather Chet, whose wrinkled voice on rare occasion will offer the story of crawling on his belly with General McArthur’s Army during WWII. He might tell of the blaring momenthe realized those buddies who flanked his body there in the dirt were gone forever.

 

Your soldier might be Dick, your father perhaps, who left his unopened college books to battle on hill 812 in Korea. He moves tall through his life, telling many he meets, “Dog Company, 2nd battalion, 5th regiment…1st Marine Division sir,” as he rubs at the phantom pain in an empty shirt sleeve.

 

Perhaps your eyes see his brother Bob who 10 years post Korea was driven to continue his brother’s service.RVN-1970  This war is Viet Nam. As a Navy Corpsman he aided many wounded. Knowing after he came home that there were more bodies in the fields awaiting rescue, he returned for a valiant second tour…this time going closer from the pilot’s seat of an Army helicopter.

 

Is your soldier Steve, a 44 yr. old Marine, who served his country in the Middle East? His intelligence work took him through many heart wrenching years both in his conscious psyche and meditating soul. Steve walked out the front door of his California home one February night. All contact ceased.

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You might find your soldier in the face of someone at a Veterans Day parade. He could be the one standing next to you, who has quietly slipped away from his family to pay tribute with fellow comrades. Many who line the streets come alone with their story marinating in their hearts. A wiped tear from a lone serviceman, a tight but treasured uniform worn in the cavalcade or an American Legion hat carefully donned by an amputee in a chair, they are all there.

 

On November 11th our country remembers, honors and pays homage to our men and women in uniform. Search for your personal reason to support our troops and leaders today. Find it in those around you, knowing their sacrifices continue to give us our freedoms. Try and understand their passion and love of “Old Glory,” as she passes by. To some who have traveled further from the agonies in their mind than to where the original battle was fought…that beautiful flag stands more than their own life…it represents yours.