watched videos of their fallen loved ones and visitors gathered
around them to be inspired by how they lived and served.
“The reality that it’s here is absolutely incredible because you
walk through and see things that are near and dear and close to
you,” commented Nick Szymanski, a past president of Marlboro
Local 196 and incoming Chapter X president. “It shows the full
circle of what we do, and the importance we are to keeping our
country safe.”
As opening night reached its crescendo, Montuore and his
running mate, Unity Tour Executive Director Harry Phillips,
became a featured attraction for the cellphone paparazzi who
lined up to take photos of them in front of Pat’s historic bike.
By then, Montuore started to see what he hoped would be the
long-term impact of this monument that was so many miles in
the making.
“I hope that this is a place of transformation,” he explained. “I
want law enforcement officers to feel prideful about their work
when they come here. I want them to feel that they matter. I
Outside of the museum, officers who have left patches of from their de-
partments form the outline of a badge.
want them to feel that they’ve done something to make change
and create life and liberty the way it should be.”
As the evening came to a conclusion, an ad-hoc receiving line
formed. Visitors passed through to say thanks to Montuore and
Phillips. A big thank-you note came from National Law Enforce-
ment Officers Memorial President and CEO Craig Floyd.
“I don’t think there’s a group of people that has been more
responsible for this museum being built than the Police Unity
Tour,” Floyd declared. “To think that law enforcement officers
and survivors across this country, as part of the Unity Tour, are
here to share in the opening of the museum gives me a lot of
pride and joy knowing that the people who believe in it get to
see the vision become a reality.”
With that, 21 years and millions of miles and dollars came to
a roaring culmination. Clearly, the Police Unity Tour had arrived
at its ultimate destination.
www.njcopsmagazine.com
■ NOVEMBER 2018 47