I have driven down Gravelly Lake Drive SW past Harold A. Allen Company for close to 5 decades. Hal Allen, second generation owner of Allen Company, was my friend, mentor, and employer when I served Harold Allen Company as an Associate Real Estate Broker and Commercial Manager in the 1970s and 1980s.
One of the things I admired about Hal Allen; just one of the things, was his insistence that his company reader-board be utilized effectively and that it never grow stale. That meant changing the reader board frequently enough to keep it lively so the passing motorists would not lose interest. I always give the reader-board a quick look as I pass by. Hal also wanted interesting, sometimes fun messages along with solid positive community interest postings. He did not mind if we advertised a real estate listing from time to time.
Third generation owner, Michael Larsen, continues to support his father-in-law’s reader-board practices.
Recently, I saw a message on the reader board that needs to be shared with everyone. If you do not drive passed Allen Company, check my photo below.
Harold A. Allen Company Reader-BoardFor the most part, only those who have served as a police officer for five years or more know what it is like to be a police officer. I wore a badge for over 23 years, so I feel confident I know what it is like or at least what it use to be like to be a police officer.
I have a lot more I can say about what it is like to be a police officer. In fact, I just cut 8 paragraphs out of my rough draft in the interest of shortening this article for you.
Let’s look at just one part of being a police officer to make my point.
What is it like to know when you go to work you may be killed? You may not come home to your family. What is it like to know when you go to work you may be forced to kill in order to save your life or the life of a citizen? Can any grocery-man, clergyman, accountant, teacher, doctor, lawyer, carpenter or auto worker or … know, feel and understand what being a policeman is like?
No, I would say most can’t come close if they have not walked in a police officer’s boots for at least five years.
Trust me on this. The next time you get a chance, thank a police officer for doing a job most citizens cannot or will not do.
Thank you Lakewood Police Department for all that you do.
