“Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the judgment that something else is more important than fear.” — James Neil Hollingworth a/k/a Ambrose Redmoon

This is National Law Enforcement Week. Only one week out of 52 to commend and recognize the men and women who have chosen as their career to serve and protect each and every citizen within the communities, townships and big cities of our great nation.

Much like the soldiers who ride the tanks and fly the planes into battle, our city, county and state police troops don protective vests and strap on guns to defend and protect our private property, businesses, public buildings and road ways and each of us from harm every day. They are our first responders and the first people we call when there’s an accident, a robbery, someone abuses us, when someone goes missing, or we simply feel threatened.

Often they are maligned and misunderstood. They are called degrading names and blamed for enforcing the laws they did not pass but are bound by honor to uphold. They work rotten hours and long shifts and, more often than not, for salaries few of us would find sufficient.

The men and women who drive “black and whites” and dress in dark blue or khaki uniforms are the national street warriors we depend on each and every day to keep our streets and homes safe from perpetrators of evil and direct us during a crisis.

So, for one week during the year we celebrate and remember our local city police officers and county deputies and state patrol officers who actively put their lives on the line day in and day out so that we can enjoy the lives we have chosen while walking our dogs, making quick trips to a store or just joy riding late at night with little trepidation or fear.

Wednesday, a committee formed five years ago in an attempt to show appreciation to the courageous men and women within the Moorhead Police Department, the Clay County Sheriff’s Department as well as the Clay County Jail staff, served its annual “thank you” breakfast to recognize all they do and for being the line of force keeping Moorhead and Clay County the relatively crime-free community it has remained in an otherwise steadily growing violent world.

The following people and Moorhead businesses also donated money to defer some of the cost for Wednesday’s breakfast: Jaq’s Garage, The Bottle Barn, Copy Kat Printing, Kovash Marine, Stenerson’s Lumber, The Big Lot, PortaCo Inc., Maurita Thompson and Peggy Halverson.

WHAT ELSE IS NEW?

Do you know what the initials “LCCMR” stand for? Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources. And just who are they and what do they do? It’s a commission consisting of 17 people. There are five Senators, five Representatives and five citizens who are appointed by the governor. There is also one citizen appointed by the Senate and one appointed by the House. Their function as LCCMR members is to make funding recommendations to the Minnesota State Legislature for special environmental and natural resources projects. The program was initiated in 1963 and, in the time since beginning, more than $735 million has been given and dedicated to at least 1,700 different projects all in the name of protecting and enhancing Minnesota’s natural resources and environment. See? It really is possible to learn something new every day.

BYE BYE BACHMANN

For “who’s the wackiest of them all” category, my vote goes to Congresswoman Michelle Bachmann. In her latest foray into wing-ding world, Ms. Bachmann has decided that because Minnesota voted in favor of legalizing gay marriage and because the “Bible is very clear on this issue” (about homosexuality — it’s a sin don’t ya know) that “God will punish communities that support it.” Reminding us that “Sodom and Gomorrah thought they could defy the will of God — and we all know what happened to them,” Ms. Bachmann claims that should Gov. Dayton sign this legislation into law that the “Minneapolis/St. Paul region will be next.” Ms. Bachmann is seriously considering moving out of Minnesota, perhaps to Montana along with one of her compatriots in their lost war against “political sinners” or maybe Oregon. Claiming she “hates to leave so many of my constituents behind, I URGE them-please, please-follow my example and get your loved ones to safety before it’s too late.” Yessiree, Congresswoman Bachmann, please GO to Oregon or Montana (or the nearest mental facility) and whoever voted for you last time, take them with you this time!

“NO BASIS FOR CONCERN” according to Scott Hutchins relative to the rumor that a new Sam’s Club may pick a different location due to being refused a liquor license from the city of Moorhead. In an email to Brenda Elmer and Mark Hintermeyer as of Monday, May 13, the city of Moorhead had received “no application” for a liquor license but assured both council representatives “when that occurs we see no problem.” Essentially that should lay to rest whatever rumors are floating around regarding Sam’s Club moving to another site, at least so far as Moorhead not complying with a request by Sam’s for a liquor license anyway. Does that mean the development is still on track and a “go” in Moorhead? Let’s hope so, but only time will tell the tale for sure.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR and meet your buds for the Stenerson Lumber Appreciation Lunch, May 23 from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. complete with spatula swirling salesmen serving the brats, hot dogs, chips and coke. It’s sure to be a lunch date filled with laughs, so don’t miss it.

A SPEICAL NOTE FOR RODGER NELSON

For RODGER NELSON of Moorhead Hornbacher’s: we all miss you and wish you only the very best medical care for a total recovery! Rodger suffered a stroke in March and Hornbacher’s has red bracelets for all who would like to contribute to the Rodger Nelson medical fund. You can also “visit” Rodger on the Caring Bridge website at: http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/rodgernelson. Donations may be sent to: Dave Nelson, attn: Rodger Nelson, 51 Rosewood Drive, Little Canada, MN 55117.

WE MISS YOU, RODGER, SO GET WELL SOON!!

All questions and comments can be sent to Soo Asheim at: sooasheim@aol.com or phone Soo at 218-233-8604. Leave a message if we’re not home.