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Tag: Paul Reyes

  • Guest Opinion: Defund the police? Not on my watch!

    Guest Opinion: Defund the police? Not on my watch!

    By Paul Reyes–
    Lately I, as I am sure all of you also, have seen what our great nation is going through — especially with the asking of police departments to be defunded and done away with.

    I think about all the great officers I have had the honor of meeting and getting to know, and it hurts that some can be so unintelligent to even think this way.

    Well. I am not here to make a political statement but to say THANK YOU CITRUS HEIGHTS P.D.!

    On Aug. 10th I had a birthday; however my big surprise came on Friday the 7th. As I was out in my driveway getting things ready for my new boss’s visit the following week I heard a couple of loud beeps like from an emergency vehicle.

    As I turned to see what was going on, two motor officers entered our cul de sac leading a convoy of some 4-5 other police units! I was not certain what was going on and as I was about to throw my arms up in the air and assume the position, I see my very good friend Sgt. James Evans drive up!

    With a big grin on his face he walks up to me with outstretched arms and said “Happy Birthday brother!” I could not believe what was going on. I was told that all this was thanks to my beautiful wife!

    After all the well wishes and photos were taken, I gathered all the officers and told them how thankful I was that they would take time away from their important duties to do this. I noticed it got a bit warm all of a sudden as my eyeballs started to sweat a bit!

    Defund the Police? Not on my watch!

    Thanks go out to my wife Kathleen, Chief Ron Lawrence, Lt. Kris Frey and ALL the officers that were here on that Friday. Know that I and my family “Have your Six!”

    Paul Reyes

    Paul Reyes is a Citrus Heights resident and serves as commander for the American Legion Post 637.

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  • Veterans honored during Citrus Heights march, ceremony

    A four-member police "Color Guard" leads a march around the "Avenue of Flags" at Sylvan Cemetery, during a 2015 Veterans Day event. // Photo, Dorina Choban
    A four-member police “Honor Guard” leads a march around the “Avenue of Flags” at Sylvan Cemetery, during the 2015 Citrus Heights Veterans Day event. // Photo, Dorina Choban

    Updated Nov. 12, 11:43 a.m.–
    Veterans, City leaders, and community members gathered for a Veterans Day ceremony and solemn march at Sylvan Cemetery Wednesday, expressing appreciation for those who’ve served in America’s armed forces.

    The hour-long event began with a 10:30 a.m. march around the cemetery’s “Avenue of Flags,” led by a pair of Citrus Heights police motorcycles and four-member “Honor Guard,” followed by the local Boy Scouts Troop 228, and others. Marchers proceeded along the avenue, with stops for commemoration, reading of passages from the Bible, and prayer from Chaplain Jerry Smith of the American Legion Post 637.

    Marchers were greeted with sounds of “The Star Spangled Banner” being sung by the Folsom Harmony Express men’s choir, as the march concluded with a timely 11 a.m. ceremony under the cemetery’s central gazebo.

    “On this day, on this month, at this hour, our nation remembers the moment when the guns of WWI went silent, and we recognize the service and sacrifice of our nation’s veterans,” American Legion Commander Paul Reyes told the group of about 150 attendees — his comment referring to the 1918 formal close of the first world war on the 11th day, of the 11th month, on the 11th hour, resulting in the date now recognized as Veterans Day.

    Commander Reyes praised veterans as “our finest citizens,” and his fellow Legionnaire Jim Monteton highlighted the optimism of veterans, beginning 239 years ago when America’s “rag-tag” forces stood up to powerful British forces, and won.

    [Additional photos: see slideshow below]

    Sharing highlights from history and appreciation for veterans, other speakers at the ceremony included Citrus Heights Police Chief Christopher Boyd, County Supervisor Roberta MacGlashan, and Citrus Heights Mayor Sue Frost.

    “Veterans and their families have sacrificed themselves to preserve what we Americans cherish – life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness,” Mayor Frost told those assembled. “We are grateful for it, we won’t forget it, and we thank you.”

    Wednesday’s ceremony concluded with the reading of Psalm 91, a rifle salute from the local chapter of the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War, and the playing of taps.