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Sacrifices remembered: Bay Ridgites honor the fallen at Fort Hamilton

Sacrifices remembered: Bay Ridgites honor the fallen at Fort Hamilton
Photo by Steve Schnibbe

It was the wreath they could do.

Service members at Fort Hamilton held a wreath-laying ceremony in honor of those in law enforcement who were killed or disabled in the line of duty. The rite was held during National Police Week to commemorate the profound sacrifice service members give to protect their communities, said the director of the emergency services department at Fort Hamilton.

“It was important for the Fort Hamilton Department of Emergency Services to have a memorial ceremony to recognize those who paid the ultimate sacrifice and to show a sign of solidarity with federal, state, and other law enforcement services,” said Michael Canter, the lead organizer behind the event.

Family members and colleagues came out to show their gratitude to three men in particular who died on the job: Deon Taylor, James McNaughton, and Joseph Lemm.

A trio of photographs of the men were placed near the lush wreath.

Fort Hamilton pulled out all the stops for the event with “Taps” on the horn, a line of speakers who offered personal and professional testimonies, and a bittersweet cake that celebrated local and federal law enforcement.

Reach reporter Caroline Spivack at cspivack@cnglocal.com or by calling (718) 260–2523. Follow her on Twitter @carolinespivack.