Andrew Flanagan, Town Manager
36 Bartlet St.
Andover, MA 01810Andover Police Department
Chief Patrick Keefe
32 N Main St.
Andover, MA 01810
Monday, Sept. 12, 2016
Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: john@jgpr.net
Blue Ribbons Placed in Andover by State Police Wives in Honor of Deceased Law Enforcement Officers
ANDOVER – As America remembers those lost during and after the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, Town Manager Andrew Flanagan and Police Chief Patrick Keefe report that a group of Massachusetts State Police wives has tied blue ribbons in local communities, including throughout the Andover-North Andover area.
“We will never forget the sacrifice of those who ran into danger on Sept. 11, 2001,” Town Manager Flanagan said. “Andover stands with our first responders, and we thank the volunteer group of State Police spouses for taking the time to honor and remember our heroes.”
During the attacks, 60 police officers and 343 firefighters were killed. Thousands more have been sickened in the 15 years since the attacks, as detailed recently by Newsweek.
Andover also lost four residents during the attacks.
“We are ever mindful of the dangers of our jobs, and at no time is it more front and center than every year on September 11,” Chief Keefe said. “On behalf of the Andover Police Department, I want to offer my sincere appreciation to the volunteers who took the time to honor and remember those who gave the ultimate sacrifice.”
Since 2002, 1,917 police officers have been killed in the line of duty, an average of 137 per year, according to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund. Over the same time period, 1,205 firefighters have also died in the line of duty, according to the National Fire Protection Association.
Tying colored ribbons in public places has a long history in the United States, going back to the wartime tradition of tying yellow ribbons. Today, differently colored ribbons are used to raise awareness about a host of issues including cancer, autism, and congenital disorders, as well as to commemorate specific tragedies including mass shootings and natural disasters. Recently, a red, white, and blue ribbon with stars and stripes has also come to signify remembrance of the September 11 terrorist attacks.
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