We ride to stop police suicide - "The Project Blue Light of Philadelphia PA,'' Memorial Ride for Honor
Project Blue Light was established by Vince Gibson, the brother of Detective Joseph Gibson Badge # 8105, of the Philadelphia Police Department. The ride was started in Philadelphia on July 13, 2014, starting in front of the Philadelphia Police Academy and going approximately 20 miles away. It is escorted by the Philadelphia Police Department. The ride is done on bicycles similar to the police Unity Tour Ride and, now, motorcycles have been brought into the ride. It's Vince's plan to make this ride a national event every year. The mission of the ride is to bring more awareness and to break the silence and stigma to police suicide in our nation. We ride in these officer's honor and memory because, as law enforcement officers, they have put their own lives on the line - in the line of duty. For their service, their names belong on the law enforcement memorial in Washington D.C. It's not how they died, it's how they lived.
The Project Blue Light Memorial Ride. We Ride to Stop Police Suicide. is a Free Event there are no registration fee's. and no fee's to participate in the ride . The ride was started to bring awareness to Police Suicide in our Nation. and to ride in their Memory and in Honor of their service to Law Enforcement. Vince him self does ride every august in the ride, On a Restored 1981 Schwinn Le Tour Road bike. that was restored by Vince and was bought by our Mom in The Spring of 1981 The bike was bought at Gerace's bike shop they were a Schwinn dealer. and were located near 11th & Wharton Street in South Philadelphia were we grew up. we all rode the bike as teens Today Vince rides the bike every August in the ride
Our second ride will take place on Aug 8, 2015 and will start in front of the Philadelphia police academy, which is located at 8501 State Road in Philadelphia, and will go to the living flame memorial--which is located at 7th & Race Street. We will be riding in honor and memory of Lt. Sean Lynn, badge #109, Philadelphia Police Department. The ride will start at 10:00 am. Please note Motor Cycles are welcome to join the ride.
When Vince learned about a Philadelphia officer who has past away suddenly, he put together a special edition of the Project Blue Light of Philadelphia PA,'' T - Shirt. 73 shirts have been ordered in the fund raiser, raising $1,200. All proceeds from the fund raiser are being donated to the officer's wife. all proceeds from the shirt in Memory of Lt. Sean Lynn were paid Directly to Mrs. Michelle Lynn and was paid Directly from The shirt company .
To learn more about "Project Blue Light of Philadelphia PA,'' please visit us on Face Book.
On august 8, 2015 the second annual. Project Blue Light Memorial Ride in Philadelphia had a good amount of support. We Ride to stop Police Suicide . We Ride in These Officers memory, and in Honor of Their Service to Law Enforcement.
A special thank you to Lt, Sean Lynn's family, thank you for allowing Project Blue Light - Phila PA,'' To Honor Lt, Sean Lynn Badge# 109 Philadelphia Police Dept , the ride started at the Philadelphia Police Academy on State Road . and ended at The Living Flame Memorial at 7th & Race Street a 20 mile ride. in Memory of Lt, Sean Lynn and the Officers in our Nation who have fallen to suicide . Hero's Remembered and Never Forgotten.
A special Thank you, to the Rider's and Police Dept's for their participation in. The Project Blue Light Memorial Ride. on August 8, 2015
The Philadelphia Police Dept, and Commissioner Charles Ramsey.
A Special thank you to The Philadelphia Fire Dept .
The Philadelphia Fire Dept ,- Provided a Fire truck with its ladder extended over State Road .with an american flag hanging from the top of it's ladder for all the riders to ride under.
Warriors Watch Riders - Motor Cycle Escort. Temple University Police Dept - The Bike Patrol Unit.
White Marsh Town Ship Police Dept - Bike Patrol Unit Lt, Wheatly and Officer Laura Hart.
Plymouth Meeting Town Ship Police Dept. University of Penn Police Dept.
Officer John Pfaehler Rockville MD Police Dept.
Melvin Roberts - RWB Cycling.
Tracy Mueller - RWB Cycling .
Will Terry - RWB Cycling. who helped with the ride.
A very special thank you to.
Commander Charles A. Smith - Tenn Valley Authority Police Dept - Retired
Commander Smith today plays the Scottish Bag Pipes at Police and Fire Dept Funerals in Tenn, On august 8th, Charles came all the way from the State of Tenn were he lives, to Philadelphia to play the bag pipes at the ceremony. at The Philadelphia Police Academy. please visit Commander Smith's page on Facebook - The Smoky Mountain Piper.
A very special thank you to - The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention . Who supported the Project Blue Light Memorial Ride. Catherine M. Sicilano - Associate Director Philadelphia Shelly Leaphart - Williams and Dan Please visit AFSP.org The 3rd annual Project Blue Light Memorial Ride will take place in August 6, 2016
Letter from Thomas Giannettino for the Project Blue Light Memorial Ride on August 8, 2015 .
Good morning every one. I want to start off by apologizing for not being able to attend this morning.
My name is Thomas Giannettino and i was one of the three riders last year when Vince had the incredible idea of starting a memorial ride honoring his brother Detective Joseph Gibson and all the other officers who have died by suicide across our country. briefly. i would like every one to know that I was recently [ disability retired] from the New York State Police after being assaulted and suffering from a permanent disability to my right shoulder , which is from the - line of duty - ultimately ending my career. I'm not ashamed to say I hit rock bottom in my life several years ago. Post traumatic stress, depression, anxiety, I've experienced all of it. I deal with it every day and i cope with it. I want all of you to know that coping with it becomes easier when people like you sitting here today come out to show your respect and honor. Every one sitting here today has the potential to make a difference in some ones life.
Lastly, I want to say that I am extremely proud of Vince. he has spent countless hours organizing and assembling this memorial ride. I remember last year when i said to Vince " don't worry it will get bigger next year. '' Now look around. look at all the support and the hard work that Vince put into raising awareness and honoring those who have died. by suicide
So please remember one last thing today we honor how they lived. and not how they died. thank you and God bless all of you.
Sincerely
Thomas Giannettino
Ret. New York State Police .
Ret. US Air Force and wounded warrior.
Written by The Heart Whisperer Edwin C. Hofert
In Loving Memory of
Detective Joseph Gibson
Badge# 8105 Phila PD. June 16, 1970 - December 26, 2010 Shade of Blue
Joseph in my memory I see us just as boys. Secrets shared between us. like others shared their toys. Things don't stay so simple as our lives start rearranging. The only thing that stays the same is life that's always changing. Some times searching my heart just trying to understand. How it is some dreams we dream don't work out as we planed. still i know it is through you even though for now your gone. part of all you gave to me. was strenght to carry on. So carry on I will it seems In loving memory of you. shining where the world can see a light the shade of blue. A light that speaks of honor that never can be broken. In remembrance of your life each time your name is spoken.
Edwin Hofert
After 15 years of pride and service to The Philadelphia Police Dept. Joseph ended his life on December 26, 2010 his brother Vincent and family and friends remain loyal and loving in support an honor of the life he lived.
This poem is one of a series of written by Edwin C Hofert. for Code 9 Officer Needs Assistance. and is intended to honor. the fallen officers and their family's that are to be featured in Code 9 Officer Needs Assistance
Police Officer's are people who have answered the call of Law Enforcement they serve and protect the city's, town's, and community's we live in and these Officer's are great role models for our young children. but sadly some of these officers have fallen to suicide. and they must never be forgotten because It's Not How they Died. It's How They Lived. Never Forgotten
Police Suicide Dear Officer Please Don't
Please Don't leave behind your family. your wife and children need you. because they love you with all their heart. Please Don't because you are loved by so many.
Please Don't leave behind your brother's and sister's and your parents. Please Don't because we will miss you so very much. please Don't because the hurt will never go away.
Dear Officer please don't i am asking you to stay with your loved one's. Dear Officer please don't because I also lost my brother who was a Police Officer who i lost to suicide .
Dear Officer please don't leave your loved one's behind because the hurt is to much to deal with every day.
Dear Officer Please Don't
Written By Detective Joseph Gibson's brother On December 26, 2015 Sadly on December 26, 2010 My Brother Detective Joseph Gibson Took his own life Never Forgotten
Written & Submitted By. Celeste Santolen Krouse on May 3, 2016
I Orginally was aware of this event. when one of my best friends a Philadelphia Police Officer lost 2 of his friends and Brothers to suicide! one of his Brothers was Detective Joseph Gibson Philadelphia Police whose EOW was December 26, 2010 ! This event was started 2 years ago Det. Gibson's brother Vincent Gibson whose vision is to give police Officer's who have fallen to suicide . The Honor they so rightfully deserve. and he wanted to make sure their Service to the Force was not in vain and that they will not Be Forgotten! People do not realize just how common police suicide is! What they go through every day... what they put on the line... Many suffer from - PTSD - Post Traumatic Stress Disorder . and it causes them to take a desperate step to gain Peace! the point he is trying to get across to Police Dept's and to The Goverment. who dont feel an Officer who has fallen to suicide that they still deserve to be honored for their service... it's not how they died. but how they lived! And it's Vince's hope as well as mine that as the events success continues to grow that any donations made or shirt's sold those funds will go to help officer's family's and also One of the Ultimate goals is to help stop police suicides... so they receive the help they Need! this event is Very Important to me because i also lost one of my Best friends Lower Merion Police Officer Sean Quinn 3 years ago on febuary 11, 2013 Sean served 25 years on the Force . Many Commendations he was a Dare Officer CPR/ First Aid Instructor and the GREATEST person you ever wanna know! Beloved Husband. Father. Grandfather. Sean was my Heart and the day he died... part of me died with him. So getting involved with project Blue Light is my way of Honoring Sean's memory. and to Make sure his service to the Force. will always be honored and never forgotten! Until we all meet again.... Thank you and Rest IN Peace
Celeste Thank you Project Blue Light of Philadelphia PA,''
Please note the letter above from Celeste is in her opinion and was not made by Vince and she was not a part or did participate in the ride Thank you
On august 6, 2016 The third annual Project Blue Light memorial Ride. we ride to stop police suicide. Had a lot of support from police officers from different depts in the state of PA, and support from The state of new jersey. The law Enforcement Dept's that participated were from Police Dept's to State and Federal Probation and parole and correction dept's. and The Philadelphia Sheriff's Dept and many civilian rider's from bicycle clubs in Philadelphia and Central Bucks County Pa, the Philadelphia Police Dept Escorted the ride with the help of Warriors Watch Riders, and Hog's and Hero's The Philadelphia Police Dept has show support for the ride for two years now For the ride the Philadelphia Fire Dept and the Marcus Hook Trainer Fire dept both fire dept's provided a ladder truck. and extended their ladders over the top of state road to make an arch way with their ladder's with The American Flag hanging from the ladders. for all the riders to ride under. after the ride returned to the police academy . the wife's of two officers who took their own life were presented a plaque in honor of their husband's service to law enforcement. a plaque was also presented to Chief Inspector Joseph Sullivan Phila Police Dept for all his help and support .
A special thank you too
The Philadelphia Police Dept . for all your support and participation The Philadelphia Police Explorer Cadets. for all their help. The Philadelphia Fire Dept. and The Marcus Hook Trainer Fire Dept. To The Many Philadelphia Police Officer's and Police Officer's from all the dept's that rode along with %3