05/21/2026
ALL BECAUSE TWO PEOPLE FELL IN LOVE
I do not know where to begin thanking all those involved in the daunting challenge of having a perfect flawless day for Jason’s event.
It would be impossible to name each of you individually, but let me just say Jason and I thank you from the bottom of our hearts for always being there for us 💕💕
You are the ones that stand me on my feet every day, hold me up, and help me put one foot in front of the other.
You know who you are. Everyone does!!
My plan was always to do a simple pig roast for Jason‘s birthday.
Then one night NJSP Major Jimmy Butler and his wife Tara came into The Hutch just to give their condolences to me for Jason.
In an innocent conversation, I mentioned I had the desire to donate a K9 in his memory.
He said, let me make a couple calls and get back to you. We can probably make that happen.
Major Butler led me to Troopers United Foundation President Andrew Silipino, and Will Bounds and Joe and Kevin and more.
It took off from there and grew and grew!
They said what are you looking to do:
Mentioned some of Jason‘s friends were going to ride up together on their bikes
BOOM- - I get a call. They will be sending NJSP motorcycles to es**rt them.
Mentioned the bikes would be stopping under the tunnel while the last flag Jason hung was removed and a new one would be hung while the National Anthem was playing.
Slacky would then say a couple words so we could all raise a glass and toast Jason !!
BOOM- -get a call they scheduled a NJSP
Chopper Flyover
Sounds simple, but months of planning , scheduling and coordinating went into this by dozens of individuals and businesses to meet all my deadlines.
Now they have a German Shepard available
BOOM- - they will do a K9 demonstration
Jason and I had 3 Labs at once
I said that won’t work. It has to be a Lab
BOOM- - I get a call. They have a black lab that graduates in September
I said that won’t work. He has to be at the event May 16th.
BOOM- - I get a call I’m invited to his canine graduation ceremony on May 15 at 9 AM.
No wonder his name is Boomer!!
Friday and Saturday are overload mode
Saturday morning final set up
Countdown is on, knowing in my heart it would take a Miracle to have all this come together at the very second it needed to be. It would be impossible, and everyone was warning me, there’s no way it will go as you planned
I stood looking over The Hutch gates at all the family, lifelong friends and Hutch friends that became family.
At that moment I knew Jason was looking over The Pearly Gates at the same view 🙏
Slacky calls says he wants to give me my last 10 minute peptalk they’re heading up. He says “whatever happens today you did it.
Let it go. It’s going to be a beautiful loving day. In fact it’s going to be epic,not because of all your hard work but because of all the love that you gave him and poured into this event for him. We are gonna have a great day, even if it doesn’t all come together the way you planned. Relax and enjoy it”
So I’m warned again and I decide to let go
Whatever happens…..happens
MAJOR Butler is radioed the bikes are leaving
Who am I and what was I thinking??
I forgot about the uniform.
I dealt for months with calls and text messages with guys that appreciated my love and donation of this dog.
Regular guys, Real guys, Family guys, that answered my calls at their kids games, on weekends at home. Answered every concern whenever it was. They were all warm considerate compassionate understanding sympathetic empathetic genuine accommodating trying to make Jason’s Event memorable to me. I was so caught up in the planning, I forgot who I was dealing with. The New Jersey State Police.
They showed up in full force, flawless, impeccable precise had locations pinpointed, and the timing was down to the second.
What a day an impressive experience for everyone my phone has not stopped.
MAJOR Butler no words can thank you or tell you what this meant to me Jason‘s family and friends and everyone from the hutch.
We want them back. I feel like it’s not the last time we’re ever gonna see these guys.
Maybe a fall fundraiser for another K9
Let’s do it!! Support our NJSP
