Sheriff Gee Given Congressional Nod For Fallen Hero Escorts

Posted Jan 4, 2012 by Howard Altman

Updated Jan 4, 2012 at 02:16 PM

The families I have talked to who have lost loved ones to war are often moved by the response from the public. And those who have served often find great comfort in the efforts by those, like the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, to honor the fallen.

Today, Congressman Gus Bilirakis (R-Palm Harbor) is going to present Hillsborough County Sheriff David Gee with a congressional commendation for ordering that those who are killed serving their country be given an honor escort.

The commendation award is going to be a surprise, in his office, hence I am posting this to coincide with the ceremony.

Here’s the proclamation, as read into the Congressional record, by Bilirakis:

I rise today to honor the Hillsborough County (Florida) Sheriff’s Office for its continued tribute to fallen military heroes from the Tampa Bay area.  At the direction of Sheriff David Gee, the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office has instituted a program to conduct honor escorts for every fallen hero from Tampa Bay who returns to Hillsborough County.  To date, Sherriff Gee and the Hillsborough County Sheriffs have conducted 12 honor escorts for fallen heroes since the escorts were implemented in 2009.  While that is 12 honor escorts too many, I am proud to represent a community with an institution as respectful and dignified as the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office.

Many of us recall the unfortunate response that many of our veterans received upon their return from Vietnam.  One of the great lessons of that tragedy was to always remember the sacrifices of the service member.  As Vice-Chairman of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, I constantly find myself in awe of the sacrifices and efforts that have been made on behalf of our great country by the men and women who have worn the uniform of our Armed Services.  Regardless of the politics of the conflicts that our country has engaged in over the course of the last decade, I am proud of and appreciative of the efforts that Sheriff Gee and the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office have taken to honor and respect our fallen heroes.  Mr. Speaker, I salute the efforts of not only our brave men and women in uniform, but also that of Sheriff Gee and the Hillsborough County Sheriffs to honor their brothers and sisters in arms and to protect the safety and security of the citizens of Hillsborough County.