While I never intended to keep the theme of the last column going, again it seems very fitting.

I have certainly been thinking over the past month mainly about the American flag and the 13 folds. While many people enjoy the three-day weekend, spending time camping, grilling out or even time-honored traditions like the Indianapolis 500, Memorial Day is much more than that. 

Memorial Day has always been a time to remember those who paid the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom. This freedom was paid so generations could have a better place to call home, by continuing and perpetuating the ideas our founding fathers built this country upon. 

While May concluded with this holiday, for many in law enforcement it also began and continued in this light. The first week in May is time set aside to honor law enforcement who gave their lives protecting our communities and our values.

This ceremony includes many of the same traditions as Memorial Day, including speeches by community members, the sound of trumpets and 21 guns, but it also concludes with a flag folded 13 times. 

The one aspect most notably missing from the Police Memorial in Springfield this year was not the families of the 10 officers who ended their watch in 2020 or the agencies they represented, but the state leaders. 

For the first time in many years, the Governor, Lt. Governor, and Attorney General did not participate in the service.

This is something to think about. With that said, I keep going back to a different flag folded 13 times, and it was a funeral for someone that I’ve never met, but a brother in blue.

A brother that left four daughters and a wife, two different law enforcement agencies and many in multiple communities behind. 

I attended this funeral in Decatur and listened to Chris’ daughters speak about his love for them and all the funny stories they hold dear. When Amber, Chris’ wife, spoke, everyone heard her challenge. 

Ambers' challenge was to quit being the silent majority, stop turning the other way when it’s uncomfortable and be passionate about how we want our communities to be long after we are gone. 

Our foundation was built from these now-quiet or even at-times silent ideologies and if we continue down this path, the “changes” will be our fault. 

If the funeral procession was any indication of the sleeping giant, you are certainly not alone. But we do need to remember this challenge and make sure other points of view are heard. 

Chris Oberheim EOW 05/19/2021.

Brian VanVickle is the Ogle County Sheriff.