Adamsburg Christian holds 'Law Enforcement Appreciation Day'

Adamsburg Christian holds 'Law Enforcement Appreciation Day'

PHOTO: Adamsburg Christian Students conduct a presentation for law enforcement officers from around the county as part of their annual, 'Law Enforcement Appreciation Day.' (Tyler Pruett | Southern Torch)

By Tyler Pruett, Managing Editor 

tyler@southerntorch.com 

FORT PAYNE, Ala. — On Friday, law enforcement officers and deputies from across the county attended a presentation by the students at Adamsburg Christian Academy to honor and show appreciation to their profession. Officers and Deputies from the DeKalb County Sheriff's Office, Fort Payne Police Department, Rainsville Police Department, Valley Head Police department, and several other organizations were present for the event.

Principal and Pastor Rayford Bethune opened up the presentation: "We just wanted to take this day... we just kind of set it for our second Friday of October. I'm hoping we'll be doing this for as long as I'm a part of this school. This is something we wanted to do to let the officers know that we do support them. We're behind them in what they do; helping our communities. They don't always get the credit they deserve. But I'm a firm believer that if we raise up our children to respect the position, it will help with them when they get older," said Bethune.

Nate Smith addresses the group. (Tyler Pruett | Southern Torch)

Each class held a presentation for the group of law enforcement; with the younger groups reciting rhymes, and the older students reading various essays and performing songs, highlighting the important role law enforcement plays in our community.

To conclude the event, Bethune again addressed the group: "Someone asked me one day, after last year, why would you want to do that (hold Law Enforcement Appreciation Day)?' I said, 'Because I'm a firm believer that we can teach these children the respect that they need.'"

"Every time you turn on the news, somebody has the solution on how to fix America. It doesn't matter what channel you turn to, someone has a solution that they believe," said Bethune."I do believe America can be better than it is if we can learn to teach people respect."

"We want to teach these students to have respect for not just the school or their parents, but for anyone that's in authority. Because If you don't respect someone who is authority.... And it's not the color of the person, it's not where they are from, it's not what group they work with.... respect the person standing behind that badge. If you'll do that, everything will take care of it's self," said Bethune.

"If there ever has been a time that we need to stand up for our officers, today is the day; now is the time. Don't look at the officers as someone that's against you; we should look at them as someone who is for us, and someone that we are for. Jesus always told us to do the right thing. And I've found this really simple thing in my life: if you do the right thing, you tell the truth, do what you are supposed to do; you don't have to remember as much, and you don't have to recall as much. Because when you are doing right, it takes care of itself," he said.

"Someone asked me one day, 'do you believe every officer is a good person?' I said, 'It's not my job to decide whether they are good or not, it's my job to respect the position they hold,'" said Bethune. "That's something that if we really want to see America change, we need to start teaching discipline and respect for authority at every level. We start with teaching our three year olds here."

"Officers, we really appreciate ya'll coming today. We want these children, from our three year olds all the way up, we want them to respect the position you hold," said Bethune. "Every officer in America, like I said, I don't care where they come from or what group they work with, every officer matters and they are important to our communities. We must have them, we must respect them, we must pray for them, and we must love them."

The students of Adamsburg Christian Academy surround local law enforcement as Pastor Rayford Bethune leads them in prayer. (Tyler Pruett | Southern Torch)

Before concluding the event, the students of Adamsburg Christian surrounded the law enforcement present and Pastor Bethune led a prayer. "Father also know that you're there with them; that you will protect them and keep them. As they do their job, I ask that you do yours, and you be with them at all times. Let your blessings flow on them; not only their cups runneth over with your blessings, but let others see the goodness in them. Let us not be quick to judge them as they do their jobs, but let us support them as they do their work. Let us stand not only behind them, but beside them," said Bethune.

The members of the law enforcement community and their families were served lunch after the conclusion of the event. For more information on Adamsburg Christian Academy, visit them on Facebook or their website.