~ Police Award ~

The Theodore Roosevelt Police Award is given annually in nine areas of the country. Awardees are police officers who have overcome an adversity whether injury, illness or other disability, as Theodore Roosevelt triumphed over the physical handicaps of his youth, and who have rendered, and continue to render, outstanding and praiseworthy service to their respective police department, as TR did in his years as President of the Board of Police Commissioners of New York City.

Officer Horace Temple of the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department is the 2004 recipient of our local Theodore Roosevelt Association Police Award. The presentation took place last Wednesday, June 9, on the grounds of Nashville's famed replica of the Parthenon.  In the right in the picture is MNPD Chief Ronald Serpas. Officer Temple is seen over his right shoulder, sharing the background with his wife, children, parents, and grandparents. Chief Serpas told  the audience about how TR had been a role model for him as he advanced in the profession of police work, and he quoted from memory passages from "The Man in the Arena."

A biographical sketch of our honored officer is also attached. Wouldn't TR have been proud to shake his hand? This is the seventh year of our award. Nextel Communications underwrote the program for 2004, and at the end of the luncheon enthusiastically signed on to support next year's award.

FOR THE TENNESSEE CHAPTER

Jim Summerville

~ Teddy Bear Drive ~
The chapter won a grant for presentation of Teddy Bears to the youngsters at Vanderbilt Children's Hospital. The Minnie Pearl Cancer Foundation funded the project, Bruce Holley provided the leadership and on December 23 the bears were delivered to children's arms.

~ Some "BULLY!" good writing ~
Chapter members, particularly Dee Gee Lester, assisted with an essay contest sponsored by TPAC in connection with the run of "Bully!" in January.

~ New projects? ~
Chapter members look to lend a hand in an initiative of the Theodore Roosevelt Association this spring. TRA trustee Jim Summerville hope to develop some funding prospects for Pine Knot, the rustic presidential retreat near Charlottesville, Virginia, where Edith and TR repaired from 1905 until 1908. In 1996 the TRA developed and approved long-term plans for the development of Pine Knot as an historic site. As a result of its efforts and a grant from the State of Virginia, work on improvements to stabilize and restore the property and provide limited public access are underway.