SWAT Banquet

Dear Ethan, Katelyn, Wyatt and Griffin,

Three years ago your dad submitted a proposal for a training facility to be built within a warehouse owned by the city. It wasn't until this year that his proposal was finally accepted. In May, right around the time that the doctors found my tumor, he drew out the plans for this training facility on graph paper he bought at Walmart. He began construction the first week of June, the same week the biopsy results came back and our lives changed forever. Your dad was with me at every doctors visit and 26 out of 28 daily radiation appointments. All the while, building a two story, 20 room, 4,000 square foot house. His construction crew consisted of other SWAT guys, some who had construction experience but most did not but were quick learners and hard workers. The shoot house is incredible. It is extremely unfortunate that one of your Dad's greatest accomplishments will always be tied to my battle with cancer.

A couple weeks ago we had the pleasure of attending the annual SWAT banquet. I always look forward to this event! I kind of, sort of planned my chemo around this night, haha! I love the camaraderie and that I get to dress up a little fancier than normal. I love seeing everyone, we always have a great time at the banquet.




Some of the SWAT wives :)


SWAT men :)

I wanted to say something, a quick something, at the banquet. To my knowledge, no other wife has ever spoken at one of these things but it was the easiest way for me to thank the team for everything they have done for our family. They brought us meals for every day for 3 weeks after my surgery and have helped support Daddy through this whole mess. I felt kind of silly since I spoke after the chief and after the deputy chief. This is what I said:

"When Matt graduated the academy 9 years ago - his academy sergeant said something to the effect of "Welcome to the police family." Once he hit the streets - I felt a sense of community within the department but it wasn't until he joined the SWAT team that I felt a sense of family. Never has that been more apparent than this year. After my cancer diagnosis in June, we received an outpouring of love and support. Although I could never adequately express my gratitude, I wanted to take this opportunity to publicly thank you all for reaching out to my family in our darkest time. We have leaned on you when we had nothing left to give, we have been strengthened by you when we felt we couldn't take another step. I thank you, my husband thanks you, my four children thank you. Our love for our SWAT family has grown exponentially and when we are with you, we feel at home. We love you!"

Of course I cried through the whole thing. At one point I said "I practiced this so many times so that I wouldn't cry ... I cried every time!" I wrote down what I wanted to say so that I wouldn't just ramble. I said my little thing, turned around to give the microphone back to the lieutenant and to give him a hug, and when I turned back around, everyone was on their feet clapping. It was so overwhelming. There were a few other tears that I shed and I saw more than a few tough, ripped, intimidating SWAT guys wipe a tear or two from their eyes as well. It was a beautiful moment, one that I will treasure for the rest of my life.

After that, they started giving away awards. Dad has gotten two of these awards in the past, he was voted Top SWAT cop a few years ago and before that, he was awarded the James D. Vaughn award along with the rest of the snipers. The Vaughn award is named after a SWAT cop who passed away from a heart attack shortly after retiring from the police department. It is the SWAT team's highest honor and is given to the SWAT team member who works really hard, quietly and professionally without the expectation of praise or notice. Well, I was just so so proud when they announced that Daddy had received the Vaughn award this year due to all of his hard work building the house and for all of his hard work on the street. I hope Dad doesn't think he got this because of cancer, I hope he knows it is just because he is flipping amazing.



It was a great night, one that we will never forget. And I wanted to put this on here, instead of our family blog, so that you would know just how amazing your father is and just how proud I am of him and his ability to persevere even when tough things are happening. Bad things happen. Confusing, heartbreaking, difficult things happen. That doesn't mean you have to be confused, heartbroken or stuck in a rut. Pull yourself up, put on your brave face, and rise above it. That will always be hard to do. But you can do it, you can surprise yourself with how much you can endure. Not just endure, but conquer. I don't want to be a cancer survivor, I want to be a cancer conqueror. You can conquer life! I love you kids. So so much. xoxoxoxoxoxo

Mommy