OS91 attends LEO Class 2011-03 Graduation

Graduation of LEO Class of 2011-03

Tonight Operation Safety 91 was invited to attend the Criminal Justice Academy of Osceola Graduation of the Law Enforcement Officer Class of 2011-03 held at the beautiful St. Cloud High School Auditorium. Twenty three future Law Enforcement Officers that would inspire anyone! Several of the graduates are Military, two are Firefighters and every one to be commended. Many received rewards for various skills.

Mission Statement of The Criminal Justice Academy of Osceola

Ed with Graduate James Pagan

Thank you to James Pagan for inviting us to this Graduation. We are so proud of you, James! Our gift to this young Graduate is the book Your Shield and Buckler on Psalm 91 protection for Police written by  LEO and LEO Chaplain Jorge Diaz, Founder of Officer of the Lord Ministries.  http://www.officerofthelord.com/shieldandbuckler.htm. This is an excellent book with several testimonies of the miraculous protection of Psalm 91 for Police. And, of course, we were able to give many of the graduates and the current class of Cadets the Psalm 91 card. 

James with his beautiful wife, Christina

Our heartfelt congratulations go to the Class of 2011-3 for the successful completion of their training. We pray for your continued success as you go forth to fulfill your mission of being, according to God's Word in Romans 13: 1- 7 "Ministers of God for good....who do not bear the sword in vain." Know that Operation Safety 91 appreciates you and prays for you daily! 

OS91 partner Scott Pruiksma gives Psalm 91 resources at Everyone Goes Home Workshop

Firefighters at "Everyone Goes Home" with Psalm 91 cards and books

"Thank you so very much for the Psalm 91 resources. I recently attended a "Everyone Goes Home" Region 1 and 2 workshop in Portland Maine. Everyone Goes Home (www.everyonegoeshome.com) is a program under the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation. The Everyone Goes Home Life Safety Initiatives are designed to help firefighters become safer, healthier and better prepared to handle the issues in regards to firefighting. As you can see from the smiles the Advocates were very happy to receive the Psalm 91 cards and resources..... Both Everyone Goes Home and Operation Safety 91 have the best interest of the firefighters and their families at heart. I believe that together we can make a strong impact on these men and women who so courageously protect us. Thank you again Mary for the resources. You are a Blessing. Be safe. Scott Pruiksma, Everyone Goes Home Advocate, NJ" 

Orlando Police Department Awards Ceremony

OPD Chief Paul Rooney with Ed and Mary Ganster

What a joy and an honor today to attend Orlando Police Department Awards Ceremony. Over and above attending we were doubly honored that our Founding Chaplain Andrew Wade, Sr. Chaplain of Orlando Police Department was honored with a Patriotic Employer Award as was Chief Rooney himself. Both Chief and Chaplain Wade well deserved this honor!

OPD Chaplain Andrew Wade receiving Award

Patriotic Employer Award

New OPD Chaplain, OS91 partner 

COL Chaplain Mike Vidal

Another joy for OS91 was to be present at the appointment of COL Chaplain Mike Vidal as an OPD Chaplain. Chaplain Mike has been a partner of OS91, giving out Psalm 91 cards and books for nearly a year. We so appreciate working with this COL Chaplain who is opening doors for Operation Safety 91 to reach Responders in other states.

http://operationsafety91.blogspot.com/2012/03/chaplain-mike-vidal-opd-helps-os91.html

L to R: HM2 Willie Naranjo, Funeral Honors Coordinator Assistant,
Ed Ganster and COL CH Mike Vidal, newly appointed OPD Chaplain

Units were awarded for bravery and heroism

The Awards Ceremony was a very special time dedicated to the recognition of outstanding people both within the OPD force as well as outstanding citizens. As Units within OPD were recognized, very detailed accounts of chases, apprehensions and shootings were shared with the audience. 

OPD Retiree Willie Webb

Retirements were also announced. Willie Webb, retiring from OPD after 29 years of service, was awarded, as were the other retirees. Willie referred to 1 Kings 3, admitting he had not divided his time well between family life and the Police force. And while thanking his family for their understanding, he advised the current active Police Officers to ask God for wisdom in this matter. 

The unusual men and women Officers we were privileged to applaud this morning for their outstanding service, are, in my opinion, the true heroes of today...along with our other Responders: Firefighters, EMS, Military. They risk their lives for us on a daily basis. OS91 wants to educate the public to understand this fact as well as to appreciate and honor all Responders who rescue, protect and defend us. We salute all those awarded today at Orlando Police Department! Thank you for your service!

Scott Pruiksma, OS91 partner going on Mission Trip

Nick and his dad, Scott: firefighters in NJ

Scott Pruiksma, long time friend and partner of OS91 is a Firefighter in NJ and Founder of Interlocking Arms www.interlockingarms.net. He also a member of the Fellowship of Christian Firefighters International. June 8th to July 4th of 2012, Scott will be going to the Philippines to assist Gospel Trick Shot Ministries. While he is there, Scott will be visiting Fire Stations to share the Good News, introduce the position of fire chaplain, and encourage the men and women who serve in the fire department...and guess what he will be taking: Psalm 91 cards! The Firefighters have been greatly impacted there by the many lives that were lost in the floods of 2011. 

I want to take advantage of this opportunity to ask for prayers for Scott and if anyone is led to assist financially check may be mailed to PO Box 35, Midland Park, NJ 07432 (make it out to The Fellowship of Christian Firefighters with line item Scott: Philippines 2012). 

God bless you, Scott. We love you and promise you our prayers. We know that you will impact many lives for the Lord and His Kingdom. Thank you for taking the Psalm 91 cards to our Responders in the Philippines!

Chaplain Mike Vidal, OPD helps OS91

CH Mike Vidal, Orlando PD with Ed Ganster

This morning we received a visit from Chaplain Mike Vidal of Orlando Police Department, a Military Chaplain and Retired Colonel of the Georgia State Guard. Mike has been distributing The Psalm 91 cards and books for nearly a year now and came to replenish his supply. One of Chaplain Vidal's assignments as a Military Chaplain is to perform funerals where he gives Psalm 91 cards to family members of the deceased. Mike is also going to arrange some engagements for Operation Safety 91 to reach Responders and to present our mission with Churches and High Schools. Thank you, Chaplain Mike! We appreciate you!

Ed shared OS91's new campaign called "Catch The Cause" with Chaplain Vidal who jumped onboard and left with handfuls of vouchers for our upcoming "Doughraiser" at the UNO Chicago Grill at the Winter Garden Village location from 4/22 to 4/29. The Doughraiser will begin with the National Launch of "Catch The Cause" on 4/22 from 1 - 2 p.m. "Catch The Cause" is OS91's new campaign to take the its mission across America through social networking. To help us launch will be 9 Emergency vehicles, Winter Garden Police and Firefighters, Orange County Sheriff's Office Deputies and Canines, Veterans, Responder Chaplains, Todd Nichols the Bagpiper (special friend of OS91) and lots of present and soon-to-be friends and supporters of OS91, adults, teens, youngsters and pet dogs! We are inviting pet dogs to come to honor Responder Canines.

The Doughraiser will go on all week from 4/22 - 4/29. When anyone enjoys UNO's delicious food dine-in, carry-out or commercial delivery and presents the voucher below (which will be on our website closer to the date) OS91 will receive 20% of the bill to help us continue our mission  to honor and protect America's 1st Responders.

Voucher for OS91 Doughraiser

So please come out and join us for a wonderful Family Day Event on Sunday, April 22 (as well as Sunday April 15th in Melbourne from 1 - 2 pm at  the Melbourne UNO's (more info coming). Meet and greet Responders, who protect us every day and have given so much to defend our country. Have your kids climb aboard a Fire truck! Join "Catch The Cause" and help take this across America. Finally sometime during the week (if not at that time), present a voucher and enjoy some UNO's dine-in, take-out or commercial delivery and support a great cause!

From Camp Pendleton

"Thank you so very much for the shipment of the Ps 91 cards....We started this Sun PM service six years ago last month with 12 marines. By July of 2010 we were having over 300 hundred per service. One night in Sept and one night in November we had over 600. The Sunday before Christmas we had 1100. Over 1,000 marines have received Christ in the last 15 months. You are co workers with us so you are part of the reason for our growth.  We thank you very much. God bless you in all of your work for our Lord. God bless you and keep you."

                                                                                                  Chaplain  Robert H. Warren, USN, RET.

OS91 prelaunch of "Catch The Cause - Spread The Flame" with COL McKnight at CFI Church

OS91 announces pre-launch of "Catch The Cause"

Today a multiple Event took place at our premiere partner Church, Christ Family International (CFI) Church (cfichurch.com) in Port St. Lucie, FL! CFI's Pastor Gerry Khourie had invited OS91's Spokesperson, COL Danny McKnight, US Army (Ret.) of "Black Hawk Down" fame to preach at both services. Combined with this, Operation Safety 91 announced the pre-launch of its new campaign, "Catch The Cause - Spread The Flame". "Catch The Cause" for short, will take the mission and vision of OS91 across America through social networking making people more aware of the risk Responders assume to protect, rescue and defend us. Our goal: 100,000 partners by December 31, 2012. To view the service(s), go to cfichurch.com and click on the tab in the upper right hand corner "Watch Services Live" for the two archived Services of March 18.

Set up for filming the night before

OS91 Founder Ed Ganster and his wife, Mary, came to Port St. Lucie Saturday afternoon for a filming with COL McKnight of the introductory "Catch The Cause" video, and at the same time, COL McKnight was filmed in an interview with Pastor Gerry Khourie for a new show being developed by Scott Smith, the videographer who filmed OS91's 3rd and 4th Annual Tribute to Honor America's 1st Responders. In case you have not viewed the 7 minute Highlight Videos of these Tribute Events, you will want to watch them right now! We appreciate you, Scott!

3rd Annual Tribute: http://vimeo.com/19228265
4th Annual Tribute: http://vimeo.com/31306477

COL McKnight spoke at both Sunday Services at CFI

COL McKnight spoke from his heart on Sunday morning at CFI, sharing himself, his journey, his beliefs saying, "My faith in our Lord Jesus Christ is the most important thing in my life." He named his talk: "God promises a safe landing, not a calm passage" citing his surviving the Battle of Mogadishu and other close calls as "God's Will".


Recently returning from his second trip to Afghanistan in 3 months, visiting our Troops right in the heart of battle, COL shared the message he brought them, Isaiah 41:10, "Fear not; for I am with you: be not dismayed, for I am your God: I will strengthen you: yea, I will help you; I will uphold you with My right hand of righteousness." Also, pulling out his wallet to show his own Psalm 91 card, COL McKnight shared his own personal belief in Psalm 91, God's protection, and that God answers prayer.

   Tables for sign up for Catch the Cause and COL McKnight's new book

http://www.dannymcknight.com/bookdvd.htm

COL McKnight and Ed sharing after the Services

One of OS91's greatest honors is having COL Danny McKnight as our National Spokesperson. COL speaks over 80 times a year, spending over 220 days each year on the road speaking to 1st Responders: Firefighters, EMS, Law Enforcement and Military. It is so obvious that God made him a Divine Connection for OS91 to reach all those Responders with the message of Psalm 91 and God's Protection. COL takes the Psalm 91 cards with him everywhere he speaks and, in fact, himself donated the funds for the last batch of 50,000 cards! And in only 3 weeks, 39,000 of those 50,000 cards are distributed! 

The response of the congregation of CFI Church was phenomenal, led by their Pastors, Gerry and Donnelyn Khourie and their two children, Canaan and Destiny. All four of them signed up as "Catch the Cause" partners, leading the way for their Congregation who responded with great enthusiasm as well! The partnership of CFI has been so significant during the past 2 years that they have earned our title as OS91's PREMIER Church partner. Mary addressed the congregation at the end, thanking the people for their partnership with Operation Safety 91 saying that "together we can do more than separately"!

More to come about "Catch The Cause"...2 Launch Events coming up next month: 

• 4/15 at UNO's Chicago Grill in Melbourne from 1 - 2 p.m. beginning a week long Doughraiser for OS91.
• 4/22  at  UNO's  Chicago  Grill  in Winter Garden from 1 - 2 p.m. beginning a week long Doughraiser for OS91.

Details will be announced as well as Vouchers for you to download for the Doughraisers will be on our website OS91.com in March. 20% of orders whether dine-in, take-out, or commercial delivery will be donated back to OS91 by UNO's Chicago Grill. We hope you will enjoy some delicious eating next month at UNO's in Melbourne and/or in Winter Garden and present a voucher to help us help Responders! And spread the word!

OS91 receives Thank You from Afghanistan

Thank you to OS91 from the US Army

Oh what a joy and honor to receive this Thank you today from the Regional Command East Combined Joint Task Force 1 Chaplain Office "for your special care packages of Psalm 91 cards and books". Tears came as we read these moving words coming from the heart of Afghanistan!  

"Your packages were distributed with great delight to the troops in theater." Enclosed with the letter was a disc "with a photo journal put together and intended to paint a picture of what it is like here in our forward area". 

One of the pictures from Afghanistan

A most heartfelt Thank you to SSG Chaplain Knight for for taking the time and care to thank Operation Safety 91 for sending Psalm 91 cards and getting the Psalm 91 books there as well from the 1687 Foundation. We appreciate all our partners and supporters who help us reach our Responders with the Divine Protection of Psalm 91. "Together we can do so much more than separately!"

OS91 spends time with Minneola Firefighters at New Hope Christian Academy

L to R: Frank, Patrick, LT Jim and Ed 

enjoying Fundraiser Barbeque at New Hope Christian Academy

What an enjoyable time Ed and Mary had this afternoon with our friends, Minneola Firefighters Frank, Patrick, and LT Jim at New Hope Christian Academy http://www.newhopeca.org/ in Minneola, FL. New Hope Christian Academy, a private Christian, non-denominational using the "A.C.E." (Accelerated Christian Education) Program. Ed and Mary are on the Board of Directors at NHCA and a wonderful relationship exists between NHCA, OS91, and Minneola Fire Department. New Hope is currently holding a Barbeque Chicken fundraiser Mrs. Angi Pitt, Founder and Principal,  invited their Firefighters over to bless them with a free dinner. And what a dinner it was! You could smell the barbeque in the parking lot and it delivered all it promised!  

Vietnam Veteran Dave on left waiting for barbeque

College Ministry picks up books from OS91

3 members of Crossline College Ministry picking up books

OS91 has very many Ministries and/or Ministers pick up Psalm 91 books on a regular basis, but today gets special mention. Peggy Joyce Ruth, the author of all the Psalm 91 books we have been distributing for over 4 1/2 years thanks to the generosity of the 1687 Foundation, asked Operation Safety 91 if we could be the pick-up point for Psalm 91 books for Crossline College Ministry while they are in Orlando doing Ministry. This morning was pick up time and these two young men loaded their SUV up with Psalm 91 books in English and Spanish. Angela King, leader of the group (on right) is organizing the daily activities of over 2 dozen young Christian men and women as they spend a week in Orlando evangelizing and spreading the Psalm 91 message. We are honored to partner with Peggy Joyce Ruth through these dynamic young people to reach Orlando for Christ!

OS91 attends funeral of Deputy Barbara Ann Pill

Deputy Sheriff Barbara Ann Pill  1959 - 2012

Operation Safety 91 was requested by Detective/Chaplain Luis Figueroa of Palm Bay Police Department not only to attend the funeral of Brevard County Deputy Sheriff Barbara Ann Pill yesterday at Calvary Chapel in West Melbourne, FL. but also to distribute Psalm 91 cards and books to the LEOs and Police in attendance.

2 Fire Trucks with U.S. Flag at Church Entrance

 Responders line up in front of Calvary Chapel

More Responders awaiting Funeral Procession

Florida Blue Knights among thousands gathered

We saw Romans 13:7 in action yesterday as thousands of sworn LEOs and Police  as well as Law Enforcement Admin, and other Responders of all disciplines, active, retired, and veteran gathered to "give honor to whom honor is due", a "true blue warrior hero" loved by her colleagues and community. 

Just a few of the Motorcycles of the Funeral procession

Calvary Chapel filled with Responders for Service

Psalm 91 cards and books and Cross Pins ready for attendees

Psalm 91 cards, books and Cross Pins were set up on 4 tables throughout the Lobby of the Church for anyone to take freely. Pastor Norm of Calvary Chapel who has partnered with OS91 in the past, was happy to take the remainder for distribution to LEOs throughout the vicinity. 

OS91 salutes Deputy Barbara Ann Pill and prays for all Responders who follow such a noble calling!