The Video of the 173rd Basic Academy of the Oakland ( CA ) Police Department - February 3, 2016

My middle son, Alex Vukasinovic, graduated from six months of training at the Oakland Police Department on January 8, 2016.  I've never seen him more dedicated to completing anything.  It was especially difficult because Oakland is eighty miles from his West Sacramento home.  He had to go from being a very hands on father to studying for hours, commuting, often staying overnight at his older brother's home, when there were late night commitments.

He did it, though, and we were so thrilled on graduation day.
I saw this video at graduation but, in the excitement of the occasion, with family around, laughter and glee, it didn't impact me as it did just now, watching it alone.  I have to admit, I shed a few tears.
  
Congratulations to all you young men and women who made it through, even the experience of being tasered and tear gassed.  I pray you absorbed all you needed to make you the best officers possible.  Even more so, I ask God or the gods, depending on your beliefs, to always have your backs, your
fronts and each other.

Again, Alex, I can't tell you how proud I am of you - as I am of Shawn and Jeremy, too.

Well, I tried to embed the video on my blog ( Oakland PD allows it ) but, somehow, I couldn't figure it out.  I guess I should have consulted my brilliant Indian IT professional,

Shiju Sugunan.

At any rate, I'll just post the link and you can see it that way.  It's on the Oakland PD Facebook site, on the left side of the page as you view it, under video.  I see Alex several times in the film...with his "Vukasinovic" sprawled across his back on this sweat shirt or work out gear.

If you watch it, say a little prayer for these young officers, that they make it to retirement, without mishap, and put a lot of bad guys away.

https://www.facebook.com/Oakland-Police-Department-391011254354978/?fref=ts

Alphabe Thursday - "J" is for Jelly Belly - December 2, 2010



Alphabe Thursday - "J" is for Jelly Belly" - December 2, 2010

If I'm going to be quite honest,

And really tell the truth,

I often succumb to the dictates,

Of a demanding, rude sweet tooth.

I've learned to have sweets handy,

To fulfill my sugar need,

And the fastest thing is candy,

Which I ingest with speed.

I've tried most all confections,

Afar and close to home,

And for the most supreme of all,

I hardly had to roam!

Thanks to the Goelitz Brothers,

Who came a hundred years ago,

Bidding farewell to Germany,

We  have the Jelly Belly that we know!

Jelly candies are quite ancient,

Going back to biblical days,

But the true jelly bean we know,

We can claim as an American craze.

Young Herm Goelitz came along,

And changed the 1960 candy scene,

In their Oakland store, they debuted,

A very special jelly bean!

With flavors cooked right in the center,

And shells of such delight,

These Jelly Belly beans,

Became hits - overnight.

Jelly Bellies became essential,

As Ronald Reagen wrote to say,

For important meetings at the mansion,

They would start the day.

In 1976, Goelitz began the use,

Of natural flavorings to create,

The finest Jelly Bellies ever,

That you could put upon your plate.

The Oval Office had Jelly Bellies,

They were snacks on Air Force One,

They also went to outer space,

For even astronauts need some fun.

There are now fifty flavors,

I think it would really be a ball,

If Santa would leave beneath my tree,

The sampler that has them all!!!

Copyright (c) Carmen Henesy

December 2, 2010All rights reserved

I am participating inJenny Matlock's Alpahabe Thursday -

join in the fun!