Defenders on Okinawa host National Police Week

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Omari Bernard
  • 18th Wing Public Affairs
KADENA AIR BASE, Japan --  Defenders are protectors. They are the men and women that guard the gates so you can sleep. They are the mothers and fathers that patrol the streets so your children can play safely outside. They are the service members who keep the world's greatest military in check. If the U.S. military is the nation's sword, then defenders are the military's shield.

Soldiers, Sailors, Marines and Airmen participated in National Police Week to honor past, present and future law enforcement comrades that paid the ultimate sacrifice.

National Police Week began in 1962 as a proclamation by President John F. Kennedy to pay recognition to those law enforcement officers who had lost their lives in the line of duty. Every year the 18th Security Forces Squadron continues that tradition.

"This year we had a very joint effort for national police week," said U.S. Air Force Capt. Steven Brenoskie, 18th Security Forces operations officer. "Leadership from each service [on Okinawa] was big on making sure we worked together and it's been great to see."

This year's event started off late with a "boots and utes" run with fellow military police from sister services on May 13 and continued with a Defenders Challenge the following day.

The Defenders Challenge tested the physical and mental capability of team members in a variety of timed skill based events designed to push the participants to work together to overcome each obstacle presented to them.

The events showcased the training, determination and dedication of military law enforcement personnel.

"Being a police officer can be a thankless job," said Airman 1st Class Eric Theirgood, 18th SFS technician.  "In my opinion [National Police Week] is a time where people get to recognize all the work and behind the scenes things that go into being a police officer.

"A lot of people think that we just check IDs at the gate," he continued. "There's a lot more that goes into it."

The final event featured runners wielding a burning torch during the 24-hour vigil run at Marek Park. Members from each service ran with the torch and the final runners ran it to Chapel 3 where a memorial service was held to honor all those who served before them.

"Police week, to me, is an opportunity for us to remember why we do what we do," Brenoskie said. "It is very important to understand the 'why' and reflect on the sacrifices made by those who came before us, paving the way for us to continue our efforts in protecting people."

The memorial service was the final Police Week event. Roses adorned a table where pictures of fallen defenders stood carefully placed.  Multiple services paid their respects to the fallen by reading off each of the fallen members' names, performing a firing of arms salute and allowing military police members stationed on Okinawa to pay their final respects.

National Police Week is an opportunity to thank defenders and reflect upon those who are prepared each and every day to give the ultimate sacrifice for their country.

"The military defends the nation; we defend the military," Brenoskie said. "That's how we see it. We make sure that everyone else can do their job and that is our contribution to make sure that our country stays free."