Downtown Dallas was unusually quiet for a Tuesday morning in July. The absence of honking, yelling, and cars altogether on the streets indicated an unorthodox event was taking place nearby. At the entrance to the Meyerson Symphony Center, hushed voices, subdued sobs, and the faint echo of Taps cast a somber aurora over the usually lively place. In the shadow of a monstrous, 5-story-tall American flag, draped by the fully-extended ladders of two Dallas firetrucks, hundreds of police officers, local celebrities, and state politicians stood waiting to humbly recognize the sacrifice of five brave officers for the protection of this city’s people.
On July 12, 2016 dignitaries gathered at the Morton Meyerson Symphony Center to honor the five slain Dallas officers, who lost their lives on July 7.
Through connections with Mayor Rawlings, Jesuit’s Student Council was given an opportunity to serve as escorts and dignitaries for this centerpiece event, five days after Dallas’ worst tragedy. Under advisory of the White House Staff, the Jesuit students served diligently without the assistance or direction of any Jesuit administrators – their dignified demeanor ultimately earning them seats to watch the event side-by-side with police officers and local leaders.
Several leaders spoke honoring the five men, including Senator John Cornyn, Mayor Mike Rawlings, Chief David Brown, Former President George W. Bush, and President Barack Obama.
Remarking on the lasting impression of the speeches, Senior Class Vice President Chase Burciaga recalled Bush’s introspective reflection, “Too often, we judge other groups by their worst examples while judging ourselves by our best intentions,” as well as Obama’s goal of compassion between public servants and public citizens, where each look to each other with a familial love, rather than animosity.
Senior Class President Abbas Hussain focused on the unorthodox nature of unity among such great “cultural, political, and religious differences.” Junior Class Vice President Reid Hatzmann echoed Abbas’ point: “[This unity] really showed me the strength of our city and our people and it was amazing to see.”
After Obama’s concluding statement, the entire gathering stood to sing the Battle Hymn of the Republic, to which members of the Dallas Police Department joined hands, setting an example that spread throughout the entire room by the end of the song.
Student Body Vice President Evan Jackson commented in awe of the unity of such disparate people, “[realizing] that the dream of equality and the Jesuit ideals of brotherhood could one day become a reality for everyone.”
This triumphant end to a rather somber day left a profound effect on all those in attendance, motivating both officer and citizen to grow closer as Dallasites, Texans, and Americans.
Burciaga summed up these final moments adequately: “Those moments gave me chills.”
