Blue Strong: Honoring those you serve and protect

JACKSON, Tenn. — Supporters from across West Tennessee saluted those who serve and protect Thursday in a movement dubbed ‘Blue Strong.’ The effort was all aimed at showing law enforcement the community stands with them as they protect us every day.

The second annual event was a kicked off for National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day. The men and women behind the badge were able to interact with hundreds from the community in song and prayer to see we’re all ‘Blue Strong.’

“If it’s to be, it’s up to me,” the creator of ‘Blue Strong’, Ann Luther said. “Everyone in their community can come together and step out and start doing things for their for their firemen and policemen.”

In a time when there is unrest across the country, law enforcement organizers said this was a chance to change that.

“There’s no secret law enforcement has taken some hits and a lot of scrutiny,” Tennessee Bureau of Investigation Director Mark Gwyn said. But I believe the public is still behind us and that’s shown in event’s like this.”

Through song and prayer citizens showed they backed the badge.

“The officers told us that it brings tears to their eyes,” Luther said. “To think that people were literally standing behind them and praying.”

Celebrating victory and triumph to remembering the sacrifice they make every day.

“They send their husbands and wives off daily,” Luther said. “To go on a shift that they may never complete.”

And to those who can no longer serve and protect, like fallen Madison County Deputy Rosemary Vela, they were honored too.

“It’s moving to every officer,” Madison County Sheriff John Mehr said. “Or anyone that’s ever lost a family member in the line of duty.”

Ann Luther and her husband said they were overwhelmed by this year’s crowd and they hope events like these will get noticed and begin to spread across Tennessee and the entire country.

The event was organized and presented through donations and volunteers from the community.