Craig Clouston

The Thin Blue Line

By: Craig Clouston

Since the advent of pictures from space, the Earth's atmosphere, that pale blue halo, has been referred to as 'The Thin Blue Line.' This analogy represents the combination of elements and gases that create the conditions which allows us to breath, live, and thrive. And the miracle of this thin blue line, for the most part, is taken for granted. Only when we get the wind knocked out of us, or are deprived of these life-giving elements, do we appreciate the sweet taste of this ever-present and desperately-needed provision; Oxygen is, quite literally, the breath of life.

There is another, just as critical and vital, 'Thin Blue Line.' This line allows us the freedom to go about our daily business without worry or concern for our or our family's welfare. We can work, play, shop, worship and sleep without thought of someone or some-thing accosting us or destroying our plans. And much like the atmosphere, we go about our business without a second thought of its impact on our lives...until we find ourselves in a position of need. And at such a time, just like that first gulp of oxygen, we desperately want this 'Thin Blue Line' to assert itself, make itself known, and restore safety and order to our lives.

And just as our atmosphere, this 'Thin Blue Line' flexes without being breached. This is due, in no small part, to the nature of the men and women who put on the uniform of law enforcement and take the oath to respect, obey, and uphold the laws of their respective communities and this Great Nation. They serve without thought of who we are, and whether or not we deserve their protection; they do it because it's the profession they've chosen; it is this distinction that speaks volumes about who they are and what they believe.

That 'Line' has, unfortunately, been assaulted time and again, most recently with the senseless murder of Danville, Ohio Police Officer Thomas Cottrell. The Cottrell family's loss understandably knocked the air out of the Danville and surrounding communities as well, dealing a blow to the Law Enforcement Fraternity nationwide. Sadly, this story is being played out across this country with haters and terrorists blatantly assassinating our men and women in uniform simply because they disagree with their ideology, and because there are undercurrents of evil living and thriving.

My family, personally, have four current members of this Courageous Fraternity; one a Major Crimes Detective/S.W.A.T. Commander, one a County Deputy Sheriff/K-9 Officer, and the third, a Municipal Court Adult Probation Officer, and one life-time K-9 Officer in Pennsylvania. To a man they serve with valor and distinction, and selflessly place themselves directly in the cross-hairs of prejudice.

The more than 900,000 men and women who have taken an oath to serve and protect the citizens in their communities across the United States are hated simply because of the uniform they wear. They protect the rights of you and me, quite literally placing themselves between us and harms way.

This article is mean to bring to light the truth of the heinous acts of the few hate-filled people in our country and world-wide trying to strike fear into the moral-majority.

To silently stand by and hope others will fight this fight is the choice that has brought us to where we are today. Choose to make a difference...help support 'The Thin Blue Line'...