Downtown Elmira community rally honors correction officers in New York and Pennsylvania
ELMIRA, N.Y. (WETM) — A Unity in the Community rally was held at the Empire Sports Complex in downtown Elmira, to honor correction officers in New York and Pennsylvania on Saturday, May 17.
This marked the seventh Unity in Community event, and it was the first to focus specifically on correction officers, according to organizer Dr. Stephen Coleman. Several speakers included local, county, and state officials, along with members of law enforcement from the Chemung and Steuben County Sheriff's Office. Those in attendance also included retired correction officers, some of whom spent more than 20 years working at the Elmira Correctional Facility.
Dr. Coleman emphasized the gathering to be a way to recognize, give acknowledgment and express thanks to those who work in correctional facilities.
'I think people that went to this thing today and also people watching, I think they can say a prayer for corrections officers, and if they see a corrections officer, say 'Thanks,' same with the police, same for someone wearing the uniform,' Coelman said.
'The greatest majority of those men and women go in there, and they're professionals. They do what they have to, and they walk away hoping that they can get out,' said retired correction officer Francis Whitford. 'I just hope that it will come to an understanding that it's a necessary job and respect the people who do it.'
Unity in Community to honor correction officers
During his speech, Elmira Mayor Dan Mandell, stated that he proclaimed the day May 17 as Correction Officers Appreciation Day in the city of Elmira, to show appreciation for correction officers.
'We just wanted to make this their day, to let the community know that the city of Elmira does support correction officers and supports the job that they do,' Mandell said. 'People should know that the job of a correction officer is very difficult. It's very challenging, not only physically, but mentally. They need to know that they protect us. They keep the people that can't survive in society, because they break society's laws. They keep them behind bars. The correction officers are to maintain their safety while behind bars as long as the safety of civilian staff and the safety of themselves. So, that's the message I think that people really need to know.'
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