Even though I was born in Nebraska, I have spent most of my 37 years on this Earth in North Dakota. I am a North Dakota girl; always have been and always will be. My heart has and always will be full of the pride and love that the prairie and its people hold. It is a place where strangers often become friends and where violence is often overshadowed by love for one another.
Yet two weeks ago, the community of Fargo ND was hit with a devastating tragedy. Officer Jason Moszer was on duty when a domestic violence call came in. Jason, being the cop that he was, immediately responded to the call. At the scene, Jason was shot..it was a senseless act of violence that no one can understand. Jason died the next day.
Putting on a uniform especially a law enforcement uniform is never easy. Family members often wonder if tonight their loved one may not return home. I think immediately of my friend CT and her two girls as CT’s husband is a highway patrolman…what if one night my friend’s husband and their girl’s dad doesn’t return home. That is exactly what happened for Jason’s wife Rachel and Jason’s two stepchildren Dillan and Jolee . It is a feeling many of us cannot comprehend. Yet today, we stand together with Jason’s family and honor this hero who gave his life to protect ours.
Today, Jason’s family and friends as well as his brothers and sisters in blue and many others gathered to lay Jason to rest. There were also many law enforcement officials who came from all over the United States. I found myself glued to my computer screen as I watched his funeral. Rev. Kevin Kloster (former Fargo Police chaplain) shared how we are all hurting; how our community is hurting even though we maybe don’t even know Jason. Yet we are angered by a life taken too soon. We are angered by this senseless act of violence. Rev. Kloster shared “The only thing that comes easy today is the tears. Let our tears form a collective pool at our feet that becomes a monument that honors Jason’s life.”
It may seem strange that a community is grieving someone they didn’t know. But that is the thing, my friends, this is just what us North Dakotans do. North Dakota people are one tribe. They respect and honor those who give their lives for our safety. They share in each other’s joys, but most especially, in each other’s sorrows. They wipe each other’s tears and grab the hands of those nearest and dearest to them. It is the heart of the North Dakota people! And this is a heart that especially today crosses from one end of the state to the other. It is a heart that is taking the time to honor and salute this hero and simply saying “Thank You!”
Together, people of all ages stand along the 21 mile procession as they salute and also say “Thank You.” A big hole is in our hearts that we are not sure how to fill. Yet together, North Dakota strong, we will always honor and remember this hero who gave his life for us. And to be honest, “Thank You” doesn’t seem quite enough. But it is what we have to offer so that is what we give.
THANK YOU OFFICER JASON MOSZER! #ripmoszer
I am linking up with Holly and Testimony Tuesday, Kelly and the RaRa linkup, Jennifer and Tell His Story and Holley and Coffee for your Heart.
How sad. 🙁 I'm sorry for your community. Will pray for his family. ~ lovely to be neighboring you at TellHisStory today. ((sweet blessings))
Brenda, it really is sad. Thank you for the prayers for his family. They are so greatly appreciated.
I tried to leave a comment before when I was on my iPad and it didn't work! 🙁 I am sorry for the loss of your community. There is so much senselessness and whys that linger after something like this but the testimony is left behind in the community that all rallied around the fallen officer. Thank you for your beautiful words.
Silly Ipad…mine does that sometimes too. Thank you for stopping by.
So sorry for this loss, but what a beautiful tribute that a community gathers to honor its own. Thank you for sharing that with us.
Tiffany, thank you. It really is a beautiful tribute.
You've written a beautiful tribute in the midst of a trying situation. I will be lifting Fargo to God in prayer. #tellHisstory
Thanks Kristi!
Aw. Sorry to hear that. What a loss.
I'll applaud you for the wonderful tribute still.
Thank You, Lux!
Tara, your words are a beautiful tribute to honour Jason and all who work as he does and come across violence in the line of duty. How sad and how unwarranted it seems to die like this. How painful for families and communities left to pick up the pieces. But how touching and uplifting to read about the ethos of being there for one another as you describe. That sense of pulling together, loving and caring and giving are such precious gifts. Thank you for sharing Jason's story and giving us cause to hold our own loved ones closer as we lift his loved ones and colleagues in prayer.
Thanks, Joy! It is so sad and so unwarranted. But yes how touching to read about the ethos of being there for one another. A note on FB from a MPLS police officer confirmed that when he shared in a note to the Fargo Police Department how he had been moved to tears by the outpouring of love in Fargo. He shared how in his many years of service he has never seen anything like what he saw Monday in Fargo.
Beautiful tribute Tara. Thank you for adding this post to the #RaRaLinkup
Thanks, Katie!
Such wonderful words to honor a very brave man, I will keep his family in my prayers.
Thanks, Tobi! The prayers for Jason's family are so greatly appreciated.
This is so great. I don't think it's strange to mourn his loss at all. I think that just shows what an amazing heart you have. The story on my blog is of a couple that were originally from Bismarck, married in Golden Valley, and lived in Ellendale North Dakota. I don't know if you are familiar with any of those cities. Anyway, this was a wonderful tribute Tara.
Awww thanks, Natalie! I loved the story on your blog. And I totally know where all three of those cities are!
I wish every state had that kind of bond–loving each other and never knowing a stranger and always willing to help. And I love how you said "where violence is often overshadowed by love for one another." Everyone and every state should be like that! Thanks for sharing. Such a tragedy!
Yes! And that line is one of my fave lines too. It really is such a tragedy. My heat breaks for his family and also for the family Jason was trying to help.