Memories of a time past

I wrote this 10 years ago.

Heroes are those who put their lives on the line for ordinary people. They do not question the why or the how. They just do what is a necessity. Growing up I had plenty of heroes. The one I looked up to the most was my father, Nassau County Detective Sergeant.

In those days, not really so long ago, we did not have computers and cell phones. We had land lines and it was a privilege to have call waiting once it was available to you. We would have to wait for the news or a call if my father was late. Sometimes he was not able to call. When he did not arrive home in a timely manner after his shift we would wait, hoping that when the phone rang it would be his voice on the other end, hoping the doorbell would not ring, hoping for no news about an incident he may have been involved in.

In my time as an Officer for the City of Raleigh, we had finally hit it big. We had pagers, BIG cell phones and news was live. I spent a few years with the department as a Patrol Officer and worked the housing projects. I wanted to be just as good as my father was. This job was not in the cards for me after I found out I was pregnant and also married to a Police Officer. No need for a child to grow up without both her parents. Times are different. Many kids do not respect authority and have a gun and want to be a leader of some sort of gang.

When the news came over the internet about the cold-blooded murder of two NYPD Officers, I grabbed my phone and made a call. It felt like forever. Only a few rings and my NYPD friend, a former high school classmate back on the Island, answered. “Thank God!” was all I could say. My friend told me that two Officers had been shot at point-blank range and they were murdered. He said he would call me later.

Later on, he did call. He went on to inform me that Wenjian Liu age 32 and a 7-year veteran had just got married a few months ago (3 to be exact). Rafael Ramos age 40 and a 2-year veteran with NYPD were sitting in their patrol car in Brooklyn and murdered by Brinsley. He had come up from Baltimore after making it known via threats his intentions. Authorities in Baltimore notified NYPD of this matter and the message was received at essentially the same time as the killing. Brinsley killed himself with the same gun used in the murders.

This is the worst fear of every family member of a police officer knowing that putting their life on the line for ordinary people is what they do. I lived it my entire life and then my parents lived it when I was on the job, and then I lived it again being married to a Cop at the time.

On the 23rd of December I made another call to my friend, this time about the news that The Siller Foundation has decided to raise the funds to pay off the mortgagees for the Liu and Ramos families. We were both crying on the phone; tears of joy. This is just another great aspect of the Siller Foundation. The last thing I said to him as I always do is “Be safe, we have your back.” Then I always say, “For God’s Sake, retire already!”

I have been volunteering my time for the last several years for the Siller Foundation here in Raleigh, NC. I spend the entire year working toward the annual 5k T2T race. It is very fulfilling to see the fruits of one’s labor. The funds raised via the 5ks go toward Building for America’s Bravest. This is the program where they build smart homes for catastrophic veterans. In this past year I was able to be a part of the dedication of a smart home to SSGT Tom McRae here in NC. I was able to meet the Liu family in NYC.

This past September my personal nonprofit Foundation Never Forget 9-11 raised funds to sponsor 32 NC 1st responders to partake in the annual NYC T2T 5k. On the Saturday night before the race, we attended the Dinner Gala at the Elevated Acre. I was introducing Boss George to some of the NC 1st responders. He then said I want you meet someone. He brought over Wenjian Liu’s mother and father and his widow, Pei Xia Chen.

This by far was a very humbling experience! They were so joyful for the love and support of all of us in giving them our sympathy. They are very loving and kind people. Wenjian’s father had tears in his eyes and said it is still so very hard, and he is so thankful for the Siller Foundation.

Three of our North Carolina State Highway Patrol, three of our Garner PD and 5 of our Clayton Firefighters were able to meet with the family. We spent time with them. We were able to talk and able to provide our understanding and compassion. They provided the same back to us.

None of this would have been possible if the Siller Foundation did not do what they always do. That is; they always DO GOOD. I am honored to be a part of this organization in any capacity. This is a privilege to be a part of something so amazing.

You can be a part of this too. There are so many ways to help. Take time to volunteer/run for one of their 5k’s in your area. Donate to the causes that they have and or partake in one of their stair climbs. Until this past year I never had the opportunity to actually run the 5k. This past year at age 47 I accomplished the Raleigh 5k in full gear then drove overnight with my partner to Asheville where we helped set up and then we ran their 5k in full gear. Then two weeks later headed to NYC and ran the NYC 5k in full gear. I have also accomplished a 110-story stair climb in full gear. I will be partaking in all these same events and volunteering my time as well. You can too. Remember every day in every part of this Country 1st responders and our Military lay their lives on the line for us ordinary people. Show them in some small way that you appreciate the work that they do for us all. Never Forget the ones who have laid down their life for us and will continue to do so. Thank you, Siller Foundation, for allowing me to be a part of all the good you do.

Christine Weber Livingston

Pictured with Mrs. Liu

That is all!

Carry on!

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